Minneapolis (May 21, 2018) – Today Sports Minneapolis, powered by Meet Minneapolis, announced that it is accepting nominations for the 2nd Annual Minnesota Sports Awards. Sports fans from around the state may submit information on their favorite athletes and coaches who have demonstrated excellence in their sports, as well as leadership within the community. The deadline for high school and college athlete nominations is July 1. The nomination form is online, and winners will be chosen by a panel of sports journalists and professionals who work in Minnesota sports.

New this year is recognition for “Coach of the Year,” honoring the top high school, collegiate or professional-level coach who has shown leadership at the team level and within the community. The Minnesota Sports Awards categories currently available for nomination submissions include:

High School Athlete of the Year (Boys/Girls)
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 2017-2018 athletic season.

Collegiate Athlete of the Year (Men/Women)
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 2017-2018 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 2017-2018 athletic season.

Coach of the Year Award
Awarded to the coach – at the high school, collegiate or professional level – who has set the highest standard for excellence for their team, their sport and also in their contributions to the community during the 2017-2018 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 sports figure who overcame significant challenges on or off the playing field, inspiring others with their courage, perseverance and determination during the 2017-2018 athletic season.

This year’s Sports Minneapolis Minnesota Sports Awards gala dinner and awards event will, once again, feature beloved Minnesota athletes and icons who will gather to recognize the honorees, and share stories about their teams and sports. Details on the date and location for the gala will be announced shortly.

In 2017, the inaugural Minnesota Sports Awards featured a packed house and star-studded event, which was carried live on FOX Sports North’s (FSN) digital platforms. To watch last year’s event, emceed by Vikings great Ahmad Rashad and FSN’s Anthony LaPanta, go here.

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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.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Kim Insley, Meet Minneapolis Public Relations and Communication Manager, 612-767-8118 or KimI@minneapolis.org
Or email MeetMinneapolisPR@Minneapolis.org