2009
April 26, 2009
CSPN welcomed guest speaker Brian Kelly,former University of Cincinnati Head Football Coach, at its 3rd Annual Awards Banquet. Kelly addressed the award recipients and more than 300 business professionals that gathered at the Sharonville Convention Center to celebrate the successes in the local sports industry over the past year. Proceeds from the event went to a scholarship, honoring a local college student studying a sports-related field.
2009 CSPN Award Recipients
Sports Executive Life Time Achievement: Jerry Carroll, Kentucky Speedway
Sports Co-Executives: Sean Miller, former Xavier University Men's Basketball Coach; Chuck Webber, Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach
Corporate Partner: Skyline Chili
Sports Event of the Year: Flying Pig Marathon 10th Anniversary
Sports Media Personality: John Popovich, WCPO
Cincinnati Sports Story of the Year: University of Cincinnati Football Big East Championship and Orange Bowl Berth
Scholarship Recipient: Jamie Cooper, College of Mt. St. Joseph
Special Tribute: Cincinnati's 2008 Olympic Medalists: Heather Mitts, Gold - Soccer; Mary Wineberg, Gold - Track & Field; David Payne, Silver - Track & Field; Brian Volpenhein, Bronze - Rowing
2008
April 8, 2008
CSPN's 2nd Annual Awards Banquet welcomed Special Guest Speaker NFL Hall Of Famer Gale Sayers. Local sports business executives were honored at the second annual awards ceremony hosted by Cincinnati Sports Professionals Network (CSPN) on Tuesday, April 8 at the Hilton-Netherland Plaza Hotel in downtown Cincinnati.
Hall of Fame halfback and author of I Am Third, Gale Sayers provided a keynote address at the awards banquet with emcee Wayne ‘Box’ Miller, 1230 BUZ. Gale Sayers also hosted a public book signing. The cost of an autographed book was $40 and proceeds benefited the Gale Sayers Foundation. Special thank you to all our event partners who made this possible and our title sponsor,Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
Pride, poise, leadership, dedication and loyalty are all traits exhibited by NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers. Following an incredible football career with the Chicago Bears, Sayers began another successful career in business following the same principals he used on the field. After completing his professional football career, Sayers launched a Sports Marketing and Public Relations firm, Sayers and Sayers Enterprises. After a successful career in athletic administration and sports marketing, Gale launched a computer supplies business in 1984. Today, Gale has built that business into a world-class provider of technology products and services, and a premier minority-owned business enterprise (MBE).
2008 CSPN Award Recipients
Sports Executive Life Time Achievement: Jane Meier, Athletic Director, NKY University
Sports Executive of the Year: Enrico Blasi, Miami Redhawks Hockey Coach
Corporate Citizen of the Year: Buddy LaRosa, owner, LaRosas Pizza
Sports Event of the Year: Bengals vs. Ravens Monday Night Football & UFC Championships
Sports Media Personality of the Year: Bill “Seg” Dennison, Sports Broadcaster, WLW
Cincinnati Sports Story of the Year: Coach Brian Kelly and UC Football team
Scholarship Recipient: Michael Mertle, 4.0 GPA NKU Sports Management Masters Student
2007
April 13, 2007
Local sports business executives were honored at the inaugural CSPN awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 12, at the Hilton-Netherland Hotel, downtown Cincinnati. Hall of Fame Offensive Lineman Anthony Muñoz provided a keynote address on leadership and Dave Lapham, the radio voice of the Bengals & former player, served as emcee of the event. Some 250 guests were in attendance. Proceeds benefited the CSPN scholarship recipient (pictured) and the silent auction held during the event raise over $3,000 for Cincinnati Sports Corporation Sporting Event Bid Fund to attract new events, positive national exposure & visitor impact for region.
2007 CSPN Award Recipients
Sports Executive Life Time Achievement: Paul Flory, Tennis for Charity/Western & Southern Financial Group Masters & Women's Open
Co-Sports Executives: Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals & Wayne Krivsky, Reds
Corporate Citizen: T. Michael Price, National City
Co-Sports Events: AVP Pro Volleyball and 2007 Women’s Crosstown Shootout
Sports Media Personality: Michael Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer
CSPN 2007 Scholarship Recipient was Xavier University student Karen Kuhlman (pictured). She maintained a 4.0 GPA working on a master’s degree in sports management. Karen answered the following question of why she felt deserving of the CSPN scholarship. Karen’s reply, “Sport has had such a positive impact on my life, and I’d like to provide opportunities for others to learn and experience everything that comes with pursuing excellence. By fostering atmospheres that promote goal achievement and perseverance, I would hope that the work that I do will have a positive impact on the people”.