Some of the most inspiring stories in sports don’t begin with a championship. They begin with an act of character.
For more than 20 years, the Musial Awards has brought those stories and the selfless, remarkable people responsible for them to St. Louis, honoring everyone from Hall of Famers to everyday people whose actions demonstrate extraordinary sportsmanship.
Lindy Noel never expected her story would become one of them. The first time that Noel attended the Musial Awards, she was working behind the scenes at Stifel Theatre. Years later, she returned to the stage as a recipient.
“I thought they wanted me to present an award,” Noel recalls of receiving the message about the honor. “I had to read the email several times before I realized I was actually receiving one.”
Years after leaving St. Louis to become senior manager of communications for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Noel learned that longtime team reporter Aaron Portzline needed a kidney donor. “My first thought was, ‘Of course I’m going to try,’” Noel says. “I assumed everyone would volunteer. I just wanted to see if I could help.”
After months of medical testing, doctors confirmed that Noel was a match. Her kidney donation gave Portzline a second chance at life—and brought Noel back to St. Louis as a 2024 Musial Award recipient.
A nationally televised award show recorded in downtown St. Louis
Many St. Louisans don’t realize that one of the country’s most inspiring award shows has called St. Louis home for the past 20 years. Produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation, the Musial Awards honors athletes, coaches, officials, and everyday people whose actions exemplify character and sportsmanship. The ceremony is recorded live inside Stifel Theatre before airing nationally on CBS and locally on KMOV First Alert 4 later in the year.
“The Musial Awards are really the ESPYS for sportsmanship,” says Tim Ryan, director of communications and events for the St. Louis Sports Commission. “We celebrate people whose character deserves recognition just as much as athletic achievement.”
Since arriving in St. Louis in 2005, the event has honored remarkable people from every walk of life, including everyone from a 6-year-old athlete to 99-year-old Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, along with Hall of Famers whose actions reflect the same values. In 2012, with the blessing of the Musial family, the awards were renamed in honor of Cardinals legend Stan Musial, whose humility, generosity, excellence, and sportsmanship made him one of the most respected figures in baseball history. Today, his legacy continues through recipients whose actions embody those same ideals. Lifetime Achievement honorees have included Albert Pujols, Wayne and Janet Gretzky, Bob Costas, Kristi Yamaguchi, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Arnold Palmer, Cal Ripken Jr., Hank Aaron, and this year’s recipient, Billie Jean King.
Why every story earns a standing ovation
Receiving the award brought Noel back to a city that she still considers home. Her parents, Portzline, his family, and Noel’s then-boyfriend (who’s now her husband) joined her in St. Louis for a weekend that she describes as one of the most extraordinary experiences of her life.
“It was like coming home,” Noel says. “Taking everyone I love to Stifel Theatre, sharing a city that means so much to me, and hearing all of those incredible stories together is something I’ll always cherish.”
She remembers laughing, crying, applauding, and watching thousands of people become emotionally invested in complete strangers simply because of their compassion.
“What makes the Musial Awards different is that it’s about character,” Noel says. “The game is important, but the impact you can have on people through sports is even more important.”
An experience that television can’t recreate
One misconception continues to follow the Musial Awards. Many people assume the event is invitation only. However, it isn’t.
One of the country’s most inspiring award shows is also one of its most accessible. Anyone can purchase tickets and experience the Musial Awards live inside the historic Stifel Theatre. They can hear every acceptance speech and every unforgettable story before the ceremony airs nationally on CBS.
“I was crying during the ceremony,” Noel recalls. “My mom already knew my story, and she was sitting a few seats away crying, too. Being there in person is completely different. You’re laughing, cheering, crying, and celebrating with everyone around you.”
She hopes that audiences leave with the same feeling she did. “You don’t have to donate an organ to make a difference,” Noel says. “Every story shows that one act of kindness can change someone’s life. I hope people leave believing they can be that positive light for someone else.”
Noel keeps her Musial Award displayed in her home, a reminder of one decision that changed two lives.
The Musial Awards returns to Stifel Theatre on November 21. The awards will recognize another group of remarkable people whose actions remind audiences why sports can inspire far more than a scoreboard. As Noel discovered, the stories feel different when you’re in the room.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of the St. Louis Sports Commission. To learn more about the Musial Awards, explore this year’s honorees, or purchase tickets, visit MusialAwards.com.
