ATLANTA (Feb. 18, 2016) – The Atlanta Sports Council announced the finalists for the 2016 Atlanta Sports Awards, including Coach of the Year presented by The Home Depot, Collegiate Athlete of the Year presented by AT&T, ...
ATLANTA (Feb. 18, 2016) – The Atlanta Sports Council announced the finalists for the 2016 Atlanta Sports Awards, including Coach of the Year presented by The Home Depot, Collegiate Athlete of the Year presented by AT&T, High School Athlete of the Year presented by Kia, Professional Athlete of the Year presented by SunTrust Sports & Entertainment and Team of the Year presented by PrimeSport.
The 2016 Atlanta Sports Awards Finalists (in alphabetical order):
Coach of the Year presented by the Home Depot
Awarded to an Atlanta high school, collegiate or professional coach whose dedication and commitment to coaching excellence is fostered in the lives of his/her athletes both on and off the field.
• Phyllis Arthur – McEachern High School Girls’ Basketball
• Mike Budenholzer – Atlanta Hawks
• Ron Hunter – Georgia State University Men’s Basketball
Collegiate Athlete of the Year presented by AT&T
Awarded to the Atlanta collegiate athlete who demonstrates superior physical ability in his/her sport.
• Ivie Drake – Georgia State University Women’s Softball
• Andrew Kosic – Georgia Tech Men’s Swimming
• Lee McCoy – University of Georgia Men’s Golf
High School Athlete of the Year presented by Kia
Awarded to the Atlanta prep athlete who demonstrates superior physical ability in his/her sport.
• Lindsay Billings – Northview High School Girls’ Cross Country
• Jaylen Brown – Wheeler High School Boys’ Basketball
• Candace Hill – Rockdale County High School Girls’ Track and Field
Professional Athlete of the Year presented by SunTrust Sports & Entertainment
• Devonta Freeman – Atlanta Falcons
• Angel McCoughtry – Atlanta Dream
• Paul Millsap – Atlanta Hawks
Team of the Year presented by PrimeSport
Awarded to an Atlanta high school, collegiate or professional team whose dedication and work ethic resulted in a consistently high level of achievement or a championship.
• Atlanta Hawks
• Georgia State University Men’s Basketball
• Roswell High School Football
“Each year, we’re honored to recognize outstanding athletes and coaches at all levels across Metro Atlanta,” said Dan Corso, executive director of the Atlanta Sports Council. “This ceremony is our way of celebrating those who inspire communities through both their athletic accomplishments and exemplary sportsmanship.”
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and former Braves pitcher John Smoltz and former University of Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell will also be honored at the event. Smoltz and Mitchell were previously announced as the recipients of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Coca-Cola and Community Spirit Award presented by Georgia Power, A Southern Company, respectively.
Scheduled to appear at this year’s awards ceremony are: Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap; Georgia State University men’s basketball coach Ron Hunter; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman; Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and former Atlanta Brave John Smoltz; former Atlanta Falcons quarterback D.J. Shockley; former Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli; and Darren Eales, president of Atlanta United FC.
The Atlanta Sports Awards will be held at The Fox Theatre on Thursday, February 25, beginning with a silent auction and reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.AtlantaSportsAwards.com.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA SPORTS AWARDS
Created in 2006 by the Atlanta Sports Council, the Atlanta Sports Awards has become a way to rally the Atlanta sports community to recognize athletic excellence on a yearly basis. The Atlanta Sports Awards honors those who distinguish themselves from among the five million people living in Atlanta. That includes all professional sports teams, universities, junior colleges and more than 250 public and private high schools in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.AtlantaSportsAwards.com.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA SPORTS COUNCIL The Atlanta Sports Council (ASC), a division of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, facilitates the growth and development of sports in metro Atlanta by serving as a recruiter for major regional, national and international sports events. The organization plays an important role in improving the quality of life for residents in the region through sports, working to drive economic growth and visibility and acting as an advocate for the area teams and annual sports events. For more information, visit www.AtlantaSportsCouncil.com.
Media Contacts:
Bryan Harris bharris@jacksonspalding.com 404-874-7164
Traci Messier tmessier@jacksonspalding.com 404-214-3596
