November 19, 2012
News

EVENT CELEBRATING EXTRAORDINARY SPORTSMANSHIP
NAMED IN STAN THE MAN’S HONOR

 ST. LOUIS – Nov. 19, 2012 – The most meaningful and inspiring night in sports will now be known as The Musial Awards.  The St. Louis Sports Commission revealed that the National Sportsmanship Awards are being renamed in honor of St. Louis sports icon and Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial.  The announcement was made Saturday night during the 2012 National Sportsmanship Awards at the Edward Jones Auditorium in St. Louis.

Hosted annually in St. Louis by the Sports Commission, the National Sportsmanship Awards celebrate the greatest moments and stories of sportsmanship from around the country.  The event recognizes those who exemplify class, character, selflessness, civility and integrity in sports – traits synonymous with Stan The Man.

“Stan Musial’s career and life after baseball are defined by excellence, dignity, generosity and class.  He represents the ideals and virtues we celebrate with the National Sportsmanship Awards,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito.  “We are grateful to the Musial family for allowing us to honor Stan.  From the moment we suggested the idea, they were very supportive.”

Several members of the Musial family were in attendance to participate in the announcement.  Stan’s granddaughter, Lindsey Musial Edmonds, spoke on behalf of the family following the unveiling of the Musial Awards’ logo.

“On behalf of my grandfather and the rest of the Musial family, I’d like to thank the St. Louis Sports Commission and Maryville University for renaming the National Sportsmanship Awards, ‘The Musial Awards,’” Edmonds said.  “In a world focused on winning, it’s refreshing to see recognition of sportsmanship, a quality my grandfather has always embodied.”

As the presenting sponsor of the National Sportsmanship Awards, Maryville University collaborated with the Sports Commission on the new name.  Maryville University President Mark Lombardi said, “This is a wonderful and appropriate way to honor one of our community’s greatest ambassadors.  We’re so pleased that Stan’s legacy will forever be celebrated when we recognize the greatest moments of sportsmanship.”

The Musial Awards will take place in late 2013.  The first “Musials” were awarded to nine honorees on Saturday night.  Their stories appear at www.stlsports.org/awards/winners.php.

Musial, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year, turns 92 on Wednesday.  He played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball – all in St. Louis.  Considered one of the greatest hitters in the game, Musial compiled a .331 career batting average and 3,630 hits.  He was a three-time MVP, made 24 All-Star Game appearances and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.

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