ORLANDO (February 23, 2004)
– UConn senior Diana Taurasi was named as one of five
finalists for the prestigious 2003 AAU James E. Sullivan Award, which
were announced today by the Amateur Athletic Union.
Known as the " Oscar" of the sports awards, the AAU Sullivan Award
honor
s
the outstanding amateur athlete in the
United States.
The other 2003 AAU Sullivan Award Finalists are: Lebron James,
Basketball; Apolo Anton Ohno, Speedskating; Michael Phelps, Swimming
and Philippa "Phil" Raschker, Master Track and Field.
The presentation to the recipient will be held on April 13th,
2004 at 6:00pm in the
New York Athletic Club following a dinner reception for the five
finalists.
“There has been an extraordinary group of
athletes nominated to receive the AAU Sullivan Award for 2003,” said
AAU President Bobby Dodd . “Each nominee is absolutely outstanding
in their sport and deserving of many accolades. Having such
remarkable athletes nominated makes the selection process extremely
difficult for the voters.”
A voting body of over 800 members narrowed the
field of finalists from 12 to the top five for the 74thAnnual AAU
James E. Sullivan Memorial Award,
based on the qualities of
leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism.
The AAU
Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors
those who have shown strong moral character. It has been presented
annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past
president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur
sports, James E. Sullivan.
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the
largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United
States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated
exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and
physical fitness programs for all ages. Its philosophy of "Sports
for All, Forever," is shared by nearly 500,000 participants and over
50,000 volunteers. Divided into 58 associations, the AAU sanctions
more than 34 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over
10,000 local events across the United States annually. For more
information on the AAU please visit its web site at
www.aausports.org.
Meet
the 2003 AAU Sullivan Award Five Finalists:
Diana Taurasi (Basketball):
Taurasi, led the University of
Connecticut Huskies in scoring (17.9 ppg), rebounding (6.1 rpg),
assists (4.4 apg), and blocks (1.2 bpg), free throw percentage
(.815) and minutes per game (31.9). Taurasi scored 54 points in the
Final Four, the fourth-highest two-game total in history. Averaged
26.2 points per game in six tournament games. Scored in
double-figures in 34 contests and posted four double-doubles. Ranked
in the top 10 in seven different BIG EAST stat categories. She was
named the Naismith National Player of the Year; NCAA Final Four and
EAST Regional Most Outstanding Player (unanimous selection); BIG
EAST Player of the Year; USBWA National Player of the Year; Honda
Trophy Award winner for basketball; and Wade Trophy recipient.
Lebron James (Basketball):
James became Ohio’s most
honored high school basketball player when he was named AP Mr.
Basketball for the third straight year while playing for St.
Vincent-
St. Mary
High School. He was named PARADE
High School
Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003, becoming the
first repeat winner in the 47-year history of the award. James
scored 52 points against
Westchester (of Los Angeles,
CA)
on February 8, 2003
–his highest point total ever. James was selected #1 in the NBA
Draft to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
Apolo
Anton Ohno (Short Track Speedskating): Ohno was the 2003
World Cup Overall Champion, earning 196 points out of a possible
200. Had a hand in 20 of the 21 short track medals won by the U.S.
during the season. Won 18 individual medals (10 gold, 6 silver and 2
bronze) and 2 relay medals (1 silver and 1bronze). He also won his
fifth US National Championship in March in Bay City, MI. Ohno was
also a 2002 James E. Sullivan Memorial Award finalist.
