Photography courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
One of St. Louis' greatest ombudsmen and ambassadors is now the namesake for an award devoted to honoring character.
Formerly the National Sportsmanship Award, the Musial Award for Extraordinary Character was renamed in celebration of the late Stan Musial, who passed away in January. "It will be presented annually at the event to a sports figure or organization that embodies the class, dignity, generosity, excellence, civility and integrity synonymous with Stan the Man," the St. Louis Sports Commission noted in a statement.
The St. Louis Cardinals, among others, will be the recipients of the 2013 Musial Award, bestowed this Saturday at the Peabody Opera House. This year’s winners also include the University of Nebraska football program, which allowed 7-year-old cancer patient Jack Hoffman to score a touchdown in his favorite college football team’s spring scrimmage. Also among the recipients: high-school third baseman Casey Mack of Trumbull, Connecticut; Westmont College and women's basketball coach Kirsten Moore; high-school athlete Ethan McConnell of Falls City, Oregon; former soccer player Bri Ebenroth of O’Fallon, Mo.; Seckman Softball and coach Steve Bonastia in Imperial, Mo.; and British Columbia's Frasier Valley Fusion '97 fast-pitch softball team, the first award recipients from outside the U.S.
Past recipients include former Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, hall-of-fame right fielder Tony Gwynn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coach Greg Schiano, and former Rams quarterback Marc Bulger.
KSDK-TV NewsChannel 5 plans air the show live, as well as December 20 and Christmas day, at 7 p.m. and 10 a.m., respectively.
Tickets for the awards start at $35, although premium tickets are also available. Details are on the Musial Awards website.
