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AWARDS INDEX

17TH ANNUAL

AWARDS BANQUET & HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

BOSTON, MA -- It was a night to celebrate the achievements of sport's true heroes, and what a night it was. On November 10, 1998, Sport in Society hosted its 14th annual Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Over 600 people attended the sold-out event hosted by John Drew and the Seaport Hotel and Convention Center at the World Trade Center Boston.

The presenting sponsors of the Banquet were Robert and Myra Kraft and the New England Patriots.

The Banquet posthumously inducted tennis legend and civil rights activist, Arthur Ashe into the Sport in Society Hall of Fame. The award was accepted by his wife Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe. Ashe embodied courage and grace in every aspect of his life, and won the love of those who knew him and the admiration of the millions he inspired.

Ashe joined Muhammad Ali (1994), Arnold "Red" Auerbach (1995), Wilma Rudolph (1996), and Jackie Robinson (1997) in the Sport in Society Hall of Fame.

Sport in Society's New England Hero Awards honor a male and female sports hero or institution from the New England region which embodies athletic success, good sportsmanship, and a commitment to helping others. The inaugural awards honored Olympic rower Holly Metcalf and Boston Red Sox pitching ace Pedro Martinez.

Holly Metcalf is a six time National/Olympic team member and winner of the Gold Medal in 1984 in women's rowing. She founded the Row As One Institute, Inc. which provides older women with premium coaching and instruction, as well as providing an opportunity for young inner-city girls to experience the teamwork that rowing offers.

Throughout the baseball season, Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez visited hospitals, supported an anti-tobacco campaign, and led a city-wide effort to provide aid to the hurricane-ravaged areas of the Dominican Republic. He also teamed with BankBoston to establish a foundation to support area groups that focus on youth, family, and education.

Disney's Wide World of Sports was honored as the Corporate Goodwill Award winner. Disney has shown tremendous commitment to the mission of Sport in Society, highlighted by their partnership in the satellite expansion office located in Orlando, Florida. Disney's Vice President Reggie Williams accepted the award.

The Excellence in Sports Journalism Awards are presented in conjunction with the Northeastern University School of Journalism. The print media category celebrated the work of the first black member of the Baseball Writers Association, journalist Sam Lacy. Mr. Lacy, 95, has been an eyewitness to sports history and many believe he played a major role in Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in the Major Leagues. Often a target of racism, Mr. Lacy never wavered in his commitment and integrity. For 55 years, his column has graced the pages of the Afro-American newspaper in Baltimore.

The broadcast media category honored radio journalist Michelle Seaton and National Public Radi''s "Only A Game" from WBUR in Boston. Seaton's remarkable, in-depth, nine-segment series took us into the lives of the Needham, MA., high school football team.

HBO's documentary "City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal" was also recognized in the broadcast media category. The expose examined one of the darkest chapters in American sports history, when seven members of the City College of New York (CCNY) basketball team conspired with gamblers to fix games in 1951.

The Banquet itself was dedicated to Sport in Society's long-time supporter, and recently retired Northeastern University Board of Trustees chairman, George Matthews and his wife Kathy. Matthews helped establish the Center and helped launch the nationally-acclaimed Sport in Society program, Project TEAMWORK.

Dick Schaap of ESPN and ESPN Classic was once again the Master of Ceremonies.

The Banquet opened with a welcome from Northeastern University President Richard Freeland.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino was featured on stage with two area high school students who told personal stories of how Sport in Society's outreach programs have affected them.

Sport in Society Director Richard Lapchick then gave his inspirational introductory remarks.

The Banquet raised a total of over $270,000.