The St. Louis Sports Commission Associates – a group of area young professionals who volunteer to assist the organization’s efforts – annually present the Good Sport Award at the AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards.  This award recognizes a St. Louis area youth or high school athlete who demonstrates the ideals and very meaning of sportsmanship through a specific act or overall approach.  Nominations were accepted leading up to the event.  The Associates are pleased to present the 2009 Good Sport Award to Jared Ingram.

Jared Ingram is the recipient of the 2009 Good Sport Award.  His act of sportsmanship qualifies as extraordinary.  Ingram was an alternate for his St. Louis Express 4×400-meter relay team at the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines last July.  He was tapped to run in the finals when a teammate was injured in the semifinals. Although the 4×400 was not one of his usual events, he assisted his team in clinching a medal with hard work and determination.  Ingram would have been within his rights to keep the medal and celebrate with his teammates.  However, the McCluer High School sophomore showed amazing selflessness.  Without hesitation, Ingram gave the coveted medal to his injured teammate who would have run in the final.  He showed the world that true victory is being able to raise someone else’s hand.