Minneapolis (Oct. 16, 2017) – The deadline has been extended until Oct. 22 for the public to nominate their favorite athletes and sports moments for the inaugural Minnesota Sports Awards, a program presented by Sports Minneapolis, Powered by Meet Minneapolis, at www.minnesotasportsawards.com. Fans across Minnesota are strongly encouraged to submit the Minnesota people and moments that inspire you most in these award categories:

· High School Athlete of the Year

Awarded to the high school athlete who has set the highest standard for excellence in their sport and in their contributions to the community during the past year or athletic season.

· Collegiate Athlete of the Year

Awarded to the collegiate athlete who has set the highest standard for excellence in their sport and in their contributions to the community during the past year or athletic season.

· Professional Athlete of the Year

Awarded to the professional athlete who has set the highest standard for excellence in their sport and in their contributions to the community during the past year or athletic season.

· Minnesota Sports Moment of the Year Award

Recognizing a single sports moment from a game or competition in the past year that energized Minnesota sports fans, displayed remarkable athletic skill or demonstrated incredible sportsmanship.

· Courage Award

Awarded to an athlete or other sports figure who overcame significant challenges on or off the playing field, inspiring others with their courage, perseverance and determination.

· Lifetime Achievement Award

Awarded to a person who has dedicated their career to furthering the success of sports in Minnesota and whose achievements have made a significant impact on the community over many years.

Public nominations will be considered for the first-ever Minnesota Sports Awards gala that will take place Dec. 13, 2017, from 5-9 p.m. at Target Center in Minneapolis. Final nominees, from among the submissions, will be determined by the nominating committee selected by Sport Minneapolis Board of Directors with finalists and winners announced live on stage at the gala.

More information and tickets are available at www.minnesotasportsawards.com.

ABOUT SPORTS MINNEAPOLIS

Sports Minneapolis is focused on recruiting, enhancing and producing sporting events in the Minneapolis area for the benefit of our community. In addition to generating significant estimated economic impact, amateur and professional sports events can help connect the community through sport, fostering health and wellness.

Minneapolis is on a winning streak in securing upcoming major sports events over the last several years, including the Super Bowl LII in 2018, the X Games 2018, 2018 WNBA All-Star Game and the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2019, among others. Sports Minneapolis has played a major role in bringing these events to Minneapolis, along with events like Northern Lights Junior Volleyball Qualifier, USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships and many other professional, collegiate and amateur sporting events.

For more information, visit www.sportsminneapolis.org.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area.

Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Kristen Montag, Meet Minneapolis Senior PR and Communications Manager, 612-767-8038, kristenm@minneapolis.org, @Minneapolis_PR on Twitter
Kathy Gerhardt McCarthy, Meet Minneapolis Director of PR and Communications, 612-767-8048, kathym@minneapolis.org