Emerald Downs owner and University of Washington benefactor Ron Crockett, Washington State baseball coach Bobo Brayton, winter sports fimmaker Warren Miller and youth football player Zack Lystedt will be honored at the 79th Annual MTR Western Sports Star of the Year, the Northwest’s premier celebration of Washington sports.
Each January, the Star event, presented by the Seattle Sports Commission, honors the athletes, coaches, media figures and stories in or from the state of Washington for their achievements in the previous year.
Honorees in four categories are selected by the Sports Star Committee, which is made up of local sports historians, media, business leaders and others active in the sports industry. Honorees will be recognized on the main stage at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle Jan. 22. Reception is at 5 p.m., and showtime is 7:30.
Public voting remains open online in three categories: Male and female Athletes of the Year and Sports Story of the Year. Nominees list can be found here.
Paul Allen Award: Ron Crockett
Given to an individual who has made a significant or compelling philanthropic contributions.
A Renton native, Crockett was the driving force in raising $50 million for the renovation of Husky Stadium that re-opened Aug. 31. He has been a large contributor to the University of Washington athletic and academic programs. Crockett also opened Emerald Downs race track in Auburn in 1996 that saved the horse-racing industry in the state.
Seattle Children’s Hospital Inspirational Award: Zack Lystedt
Given to an inspirational young athlete who has overcome major medical obstacles to inspire others.
A Tahoma High School graduate, Lystedt in 2006 suffered a catastrophic brain injury playing football. His perseverance inspired the state Legislature to create mandatory player-safety rules. Known as the Lystedt law, 48 other states have passed similar legislation.
Royal Brougham Award: Bobo Brayton
Given to an individual for a lifetime of achievement in sports and who exemplifies the spirit of our state.
Brayton was Washington State University’s first All-America baseball player, then became the school’s winnningest coach — 1,162 games, 21 conference titles and two appearances in the College World Series, from 1962 to 1994. He coached 23 players who became major-leaguers, including All-Stars Ron Cey, Aaron Sele and John Olerud.
Keith Jackson Award: Warren Miller
Given to a member of the media for excellence in communicating the sports stories of the state of Washington.
As founder of Warren Miller Entertainment, Warren is synonymous with spectacular skiing and snowboarding movies, with credits including books, articles and more than 750 films.
Tickets are available at the Benaroya Hall Box Office, online at www.benaroyahall.org, or by phone at 206-215-4747. Premium tickets are $100 and include access to the show and VIP reception. Show-only tickets are $25.
Sportspress Northwest will produce a live webcast of the red-carpet portion of the event, hosted by Art Thiel and Mike Gastineau.
1 Comment
Good for Bobo, who was known simply as Chuck Brayton when he was an All-American shortstop at WSC (after flying a plane in WWII, if my Mom got the story right). Wazzu baseball has never been the same since he was forced out.
And two thumbs up for Ron Crockett, who oversaw the funding and construction of the only major sports facility in the state that wasn’t built with taxpayer dollars (that I can think of, anyway). I go to Portland Meadows because it’s a little closer and admission and parking are both free, but Emerald Downs is clearly the premier horse racing facility north of San Francisco…much nicer than Longacres was. Kudos to anyone who can succeed in building a decent sports venue WITHOUT using public money.