“2003 AMATEUR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR” NOMINEES -- LEBRON JAMES, MICHAEL PHELPS, APOLO ANTON OHNO, PHILIPPA RASCHKER & DIANA TAURASI -- TO BE PRESENT AT THE 74th ANNUAL AAU JAMES E. SULLIVAN MEMORIAL AWARD RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION (“AAU”)

 

AAU To Host Awards Award Dinner On Tuesday, April 13

 

NY, NY -- 2003 Amateur Athlete of the Year Nominees -- Lebron James, Apolo Anton Ohno, Michael Phelps, Philppa “Phil” Raschker and Diana Taurasi – will be present at the 2003 AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award Reception hosted by the Amateur Athletic Union (“2003 AAU Sullivan Award Reception”).  The 2003 AAU Sullivan Award Reception will take place on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 6 PM at the New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South.  ESPN's Cold Pizza co-hosts Jay Crawford and Thea Andrews will be Co-Emcees.

 

According to Bobby Dodd -- President, AAU -- “There has been an extraordinary group of athletes nominated to receive the 2003 AAU Sullivan Award.  Each nominee is absolutely outstanding in their sport and deserving of many accolades. I am confident that the 2003 AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award Reception will be the most exciting ever!”

 

About The Annual AAU Sullivan Award

 

Recognized as the "Oscar" of all sports awards, the Annual AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the US. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to James E. Sullivan -- founder and former AAU President.  The AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.

 

A voting body of over 800 members narrowed the field of finalist nominees from 12 to the top five for the 74^th Annual AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award, based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism. 

 

 

About the 2003 AAU Sullivan Award Nominees:

 

Lebron James (Basketball):  Lebron James became Ohio’s most honored high school basketball player when he was selected as AP’s Mr. Basketball for the third consecutive year while playing for St. Vincent -St. Mary High School. He was named PARADE High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003, becoming the first repeat winner in the 47-year history of the award. Lebron James scored 52 points against Westchester (Los Angeles, CA) on February 8, 2003 -- his highest point total ever. In 2003 NBA Draft, Lebron James was selected as the first pick (first round) by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

 

Apolo Anton Ohno (Short-Track Speedskating): 2002 Olympic Gold-medalist, Apolo Anton Ohno was the 2003 World Cup Overall Champion, earning 196 points out of a possible 200. Apolo Anton Ohno had a hand in 20 of the 21 short track medals won by the US during the season. He won 18 individual medals (10 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze) and 2 relay medals (1 silver and 1bronze). He also won his fifth US National Championship in March in Bay City, MI. Apolo Anton Ohno was also a 2002 AAU Sullivan Award finalist.

 

Michael Phelps (Swimming):  Michael Phelps became the first swimmer to set 5 World Records at one meet at the 2003 FINA World Championships; winning 4 gold medals and two silver medals. He was also the only man to win five U.S. National titles at the same championships, and was the first man in history to win a U.S. National title in three different strokes at one national championship. Current world-record holder in the 200m fly, 200m, and 400m individual medley. Michael Phelps became the youngest man to ever break a world record at 15 years, 9 months in the 200m fly at the 2001 Spring Nationals.

Philippa “Phil” Raschker (Track and Field – Master Circuit): Phil Raschker, an accomplished multi-event track athlete, Raschker broke 7 World records and 9 All-American records in the Track and Field Masters Circuit. These events include: pentathlon; heptathlon; 60m; 200m; 400m; 800m; high jump; pole vault; and long jump. Her medals include: 7 golds at the National Outdoor Championships in Eugene, OR; 6 golds at the National Senior games in Hampton Roads, VA; 5 golds at the 15th World Championships (World Masters Association) in Carolina, Puerto Rico; 3 golds at the 1st PanPacific Championships in Sacremento, CA and five Championships with one gold.

 

Diana Taurasi (Basketball): Diana Taurasi, led the University of Connecticut Huskies in scoring (17.9 ppg), rebounding (6.1 rpg), assists (4.4 apg), and blocks (1.2 bpg), free throw percentage (.815) and minutes per game (31.9). Diana Taurasi scored 54 points in the Final Four, the fourth-highest two-game total in history. She averaged 26.2 points per game in six tournament games,and scored in double-figures in 34 contests and posted four double-doubles. She is now ranked in the top 10 in seven different BIG EAST stat categories, and was named the Naismith National Player of the Year; NCAA Final Four and EAST Regional Most Outstanding Player (unanimous selection); BIG EAST Player of the Year; USBWA National Player of the Year; Honda Trophy Award winner for basketball; and Wade Trophy recipient.

 

About The AAU

 

The AAU is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States.  A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs for all ages.  Its philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," is shared by nearly 500,000 participants and over 50,000 volunteers.  Divided into 58 associations, the AAU sanctions more than 34 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 10,000 local events across the United States annually.  For more information on the AAU please visit its web site at www.aausports.org.

 

 

Wade Schalles
Amateur Athletic Union
(407) 828-2892
(407) 828-1029 Fax
wade@aausports.org
www.aausports.org
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