A sold-out crowd of over 1,200 joined emcee Eddie George to honor Greater Cleveland’s top athletes at the 15th Annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards Thursday night.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – A sold-out crowd of over 1,200 joined emcee Eddie George to honor Greater Cleveland’s top athletes at the 15th Annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards Thursday night. The event at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Grand Ballroom has become Cleveland’s top sports and entertainment event, featuring an outstanding auction, sports and entertainment celebrities and a first-rate awards show.
The evening was highlighted by two special segments. First, the majority owners of all three Cleveland professional sports franchises – Jimmy Haslam, Dan Gilbert and Paul Dolan were featured in a question and answer session with emcee Eddie George. Second, Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones received a special award from Nick Swisher for leading OSU to the first ever College Football Playoff National Championship.
Award winners (IN BOLD) included:
Professional Athlete of the Year
- Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns
- Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
- COREY KLUBER, CLEVELAND INDIANS
Collegiate Athlete of the Year
- KEVIN BURKE, UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION, FOOTBALL, WESTLAKE
- Nikki Chiricosta, Bowling Green State University, Tennis, Avon Lake
- Connor Cook, Michigan State University, Football, Hinckley
Amateur Athlete of the Year
- Tianna Bartoletta, USA Track & Field, Elyria
- Dartanyon Crockett, USA Paralympic Judo, Cleveland
- KELLI STACK, USA WOMEN’S HOCKEY, BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
High School Athlete of the Year
- Esa Ahmad, Shaker Heights High School, Basketball
- MITCH GUADAGNI, HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL, FOOTBALL
- Brooke Zoltai, Valley Forge High School, Soccer/Softball
Current Cleveland Indians radio broadcaster Tom Hamilton received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing commitment to the Cleveland community and the Indians. In 2015, Hamilton will enter his 26th year as the voice of the Indians.
Huron’s Nick Lenyo was honored with the Courage Award presented by Cleveland Clinic Sports Health. Lenyo, the starting safety and back-up quarterback for his freshman football team, is just over a year removed from being diagnosed with osteosarcoma and having his left distal tibia amputated. Indians manager Terry Francona presented Nick with the award.
A video tribute to the Cleveland Cavaliers 2014-15 regular season home opener and the impact it had on the city showcased the 2014 Best Moment in Cleveland Sports presented by Horseshoe Casino Cleveland. Fan nominations for the Best Moment award were submitted through ClevelandSportsAwards.com. Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin accepted the award.
The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards serves as the primary fundraiser for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.