Greater Cleveland Sports Awards - Digital Program

TONIGHT’S PROGRAM

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DEAR FRIENDS Over the last 24 years, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has had the unique experience of hosting over 222 sporting events that have provided $917 million in economic impact to our community.

Not only have we aided in making Northeast Ohio a premier destination for sporting and competitive events, but we’ve made a major impact within our community through providing under resourced youth opportunities to experience their favorite sport, boosting local businesses with visitors, and raising worldwide awareness of what makes Cleveland so special.

This past year, our community showed up in big ways to support our mission and welcomed 10 major sporting events providing over $18.1 million in economic impact.

With over 3,970 volunteer hours and 158 youth who participated in programs, our hosted events were a major success thanks to you.

As we look forward to 2024, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is excited to welcome at least 17 national sporting events, including the NCAA Women’s Final Four and Pan-American Masters Games, providing a total of over $72.5 million in economic activity and continuing its mission to make an impact on our community through the lens of sports.

Tonight, we recognize the accomplishments of some of those who make this community strong and celebrate their success both on and off the court. The show will feature a celebration of athletic achievements, a lifetime of community commitment and the courage to overcome any obstacle through the power of sport.

Sports Awards, the organization’s premier fundraiser, provides the necessary support to continue to compete and win on behalf of Cleveland. As we celebrate together, we’re appreciative of your support of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission’s mission and we can’t wait to share this evening with you.

Bob Klonk

David Gilbert

Chairman President & CEO

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Thank you for your support!

ABOUT

GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION Since 2000, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is responsible for attracting over 222 sporting events which provide more than $917 million in economic activity to Northeast Ohio.

Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC) serves to measurably improve the economy of Greater Cleveland and enrich the community by attracting, creating, managing and enhancing significant sporting and competitive events.

GCSC supports the local economy, utilizes sports as a vehicle to forward community agendas and maintains a goal of producing events that are more successful when held in Cleveland than in other cities.

Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

CLEVELANDSPORTS.ORG

@CLESPORTS

@GREATERCLESPORTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT GCSC.......................................................... 3 BOARD OF TRUSTEES............................................. 8 ASSOCIATE BOARD................................................. 8 DINNER COMMITTEE.............................................. 9 PACKAGE PURCHASERS....................................... 11 THANK YOU......................................................14-15 AWARD VOTING PROCESS..................................... 20 HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR..............22-23

COLLEGIATE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.................24-25 PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR................ 29 SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AWARD............................ 33 COURAGE AWARD................................................. 35 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.......................... 36 SENIOR ATHLETE AWARD...................................... 41 THANK YOU PARTNERS......................................... 42

24TH GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES AS OF DEC. 31, 2023 BOB KLONK , CHAIR, Oswald Companies DOUG NEARY , VICE CHAIR, Calfee, Halter & Griswolf LLP NIC BARLAGE , VICE CHAIR, Cleveland Cavaliers ANN ABER, JOANN SUDHIR ACHAR, EOX KRISTEN BAIRD-ADAMS, PNC GEOFF ALLMAN, Lincoln Electric KEN BABBY, Akron Rubberducks BRIAN BARREN, Cleveland Guardians DOUGLAS BELL, Global Prairie CHRIS BELLAMY, Cohen & Co. RUDY BENTLAGE, JPMorgan Chase DOMINIC BRAULT, Kaulig Capital SHONTEL BROWN, U.S. House of Representatives TIM CONNOR, The Shamrock Companies, Inc. MICHAEL CONWAY, Beverage Distributors, Inc. WILLIAM COSGROVE, Union Home Mortgage TERRY COYNE, Newmark Knight Frank BRADFORD DAVY, City of Cleveland ROB DIGERONIMO, Independence Excavating FRED DISANTO, Ancora Advisors TRACY DOWE, Fifth Third Bank TRINA EVANS, KeyBank RICHARD FEDOROVICH, Bober Markey Fedorovich CINDY FLYNN, Arrowhead PAT FOGARTY, ParkOhio JEFF FRIEDMAN, JIF Investment NOLAN GALLAGHER, Cleveland Pro Soccer FRANK GALLUCCI, Plevin & Gallucci Co, LPA

KEVIN STEIN , TREASURER, Transdigm DR. JON STEINBRECHER , SECRETARY, Mid-American Conference

SCOTT GARRETT, Cleveland State University MICHAEL GIBBONS, Brown Gibbons Lang & Company KRISTIN GIBBS, Sotera Health STEVE GLASS, Medical Mutual CELSO GONCALVES JR., Cliffs BLAINE GRIFFIN, City of Cleveland JERRY GRISKO JR., CBIZ CHARLES HARDIN, Jones Day EDDIE HARRELL JR., Radio One Cleveland TIM HARRIS, Insurance Board AMY HELD, The J.M. Smucker Co. MICHELLE HEREFORD, University Hospitals DAVE JENKINS, Cleveland Browns YAN JIN, Eaton Corporation MARK JONES, FirstEnergy PERNEL JONES JR., Cuyahoga County ANSIR JUNAID, Supply Side USA GINA KASHUK, Willis Towers Watson CHRIS KEIM, Frantz Ward BRIAN KELLY, PwC JOE KOHMANN, Westfield TOM LAIRD, Gilbane Building Company DARYL LAISURE TOM LIBEG, Grant Thornton BOB LITTMAN, BDO LLP SCOTT LOKKE, JACK Entertainment JOHN MACINTOSH, KPMG LLP ROB MACKINLAY, Gardiner

PATRICK MANAK, NACDA CHARLES OBERT, Brookfield Properties MICHAEL O’HARA, Parker Hannifin BOYD PETHEL, First National Bank SAM PINES, ESPN Cleveland/Good Karma Brands STEPHEN PUTT, Excite Health Partners TODD REA, Sherwin-Williams SANDEE REID, The Davey Tree Expert Company MONTE REPASKY, EY SEAN RICHARDSON, Huntington Bank GREG ROSKO, Deloitte DR. MARK SCHICKENDANTZ, Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine BRADLEY SELLERS, City of Warrensville Heights GREG SKODA, Marcum LLP BRIAN SLIFE, Aon MARK STEINBERG, Excel Sports Management RANDY STEPHENS, Bally Sports JIM STIEF, McDonald Hopkins EDDIE TAYLOR JR., Taylor Oswald ADRIAN THIMPSON, Taft PAUL VOINOVICH, Vocon DAN WHALEN, Harbor Bay Real Estate Advisors CHAS WITHERS, Dix & Eaton STEVE ZASHIN, Zashin & Rich

LIFETIME TRUSTEES JARED CHANEY CARL GRASSI

ROBERT KAIN MICHAEL J. CLEARY - in memoriam

ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBERS 2023 ANGELA ALMASY, Dix & Eaton LIA ATCHISON, Amazon JOHN BANKS, The Shamrock Companies ELIZABETH BEARD, Topgolf RAPHAEL COLLINS, Cleveland Guardians JONATHON FLOYD, Sysco ROBERT GUY, Re:Build CDI JAMES HOFBAUER, University Hospitals

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JAELEN HOLLINGER, Digital C JOHN KANE, Ancora MICHELLE KENNEY, Cleveland Municipal Court - Judicial Division BILLY LAWLESS, The Brewer-Garrett Company ARIEL MCNAIR, Ernst & Young MELANIE MYERS, Oswald Companies BRIAN NALLY, Reminger Co. L.P.A. BRI OLDHAM, Visit Detroit

BETH ORR, Dover Home Remodelers, Inc. GREG PASIADIS, Marcum LLP CHRIS PECK, Sequoia Financial Group BRIAN POE, WME Sports JASON ROTHMAN, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP DR. MARIE SCHAEFER, Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine MATT SCHAEFER, Golden Reserve

Thank you for your support!

ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBERS 2023 (CONT) CASEY SCHRADER, Oswald Companies BROOKE SIRAK, Kaulig Capital TIM SMITH, Citizens Bank JEFF STAATS, Haley Marketing Group JEFF TOLMAN, Cleveland Metroparks CONSTANTINE TSATIRIS, Grant Thornton, LLP

MARK TUPA, Peppertree Capital PETER VAN EUWEN, Baker Hostetler, LLP RYAN VIRTUE, Positive Coaching Alliance MIKE VURAICH, Mid-American Conference

LOGAN WEILAND, Oatey Company JONATHON WHITTLESEY, Squire Patton

SPORTS AWARDS HONORARY CO-CHAIRS DEE & JIMMY HASLAM Owners, Cleveland Browns and Haslam Sports Group

DAN GILBERT Owner, Cleveland Cavaliers & Cleveland Monsters

PAUL DOLAN Owner/Chairman & CEO, Cleveland Guardians

SPORTS AWARDS EVENT CHAIRS KRISTEN BAIRD ADAMS, CHAIR PNC

JOE KOHMANN, CHAIR Westfield

NOLAN GALLAGER, AUCTION CHAIR Cleveland Pro Soccer

DINNER COMMITTEE ANN ABER, JOANNE JOHN BANKS, The Shamrock Companies NIC BARLAGE, Cleveland Cavaliers CHRIS BELLAMY, Cohen & Co. RUDY BENTLAGE, JP Morgan Chase DOMINIC BRAULT, Kaulig Companies ANDREW COLEMAN, CBRE MICHAEL CONWAY, Beverage Distributors, Inc. AMY CROSSMAN-NOLL, ESPN Radio Cleveland/Good Karma CURTIS DANBURG, Cleveland Guardians

TRACY DOWE, Fifth Third Bank JERRY DOYLE RICK FEDOROVICH, Bober Markey Fedorovich CINDY FLYNN, Arrowhead Consulting CELSO GONCLAVES, JR., Cleveland Cliffs JERRY GRISKO, Jr., CBIZ MARK JONES, FirstEnergy CHRIS KEIM, Frantz Ward BRIAN KELLY, PWC TOM LIBEG, Grant Thornton SCOTT LOKKE, JACK Entertainment SANDEE REID, The Davey Expert Tree Company

DR. MARK SCHICKENDANTZ, Cleveland Clinic Sports Health GREG SKODA, Marcum LLP BRIAN SLIFE, Aon JIM STEIF, McDonald Hopkins RANDY STEPHENS, Bally Sports JOSH STUDZINSKI, University Hospitals JENNER TEKANCIC, Cleveland Browns PETE VAN EUWEN, Baker Hostetler PAUL VOINOVICH, Vocon

24TH GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS

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Meaden & Moore Medical Mutual PNC The Davey Tree Expert Co. The Shamrock Companies The Sherwin-Williams Co. UH Sports Medicine Vocon

DEXImaging Dix & Eaton Eaton Corporation EOX Vantage Excite Health Partners Fifth Third Bank First National Bank/Park Ohio Gilbane Building Company Global Prairie Grant Thornton Huntington Insurance Board JACK Entertainment JOANN Stores Jones Day JP Morgan Chase Kaulig Media Marcum LLP

Medical Mutual Mid-American Conference Newmark Knight Frank NPi Audio Visual Solutions Oswald Companies Parker Hannifin Corporation PwC RPM Sotera Health Swagelok The J.M. Smucker Co. Thunder::Tech TransDigm TriState Capital Bank Willis Towers Watson Zashin & Rich

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Park Ohio/First National Bank Plante Moran Radio One Cleveland SPIRE Taft Teamwork Online WTAM

PLATINUM CLUB Ancora Brown Gibbons Lang & Co. CBIZ Cleveland Browns Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Cleveland Guardians Cohen & Company ESPN Cleveland/Good Karma Brands

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24TH GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS

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THANK YOU Greater Cleveland Sports Awards Committee and staff wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and all the companies who have donated their resources and expertise as well as our valued volunteers who have donated their time, resources and energy to make the 24th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards a huge success!

PRESENTING PARTNERS Ancora

Medical Mutual

EVENT PARTNERS 92.3 The Fan Bally Sports Ohio Beverage Distributors BIG PLAY Network The Brew Kettle Citizens Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Cleveland Magazine DEXImaging ESPN Cleveland

H. Jack’s Plumbing & Heating Co. “The Super Plumber” JACK Entertainment JP Morgan Chase Kaulig Media Miller High Life Miller Lite Leinenkugel’s NPi Audio Visual Solutions Peroni Italia Physicians Ambulance

PS Awards Radio One Cleveland Tito’s Handmade Vodka Union Home Mortgage University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute Westfield WKYC WTAM

Gary Heinrich Kristin Jones Alex Kay James Kerr Matt Mascolo Mason Nozik Danielle Sigl

Thomas Stumpf Drew Stutzman Joshua Thompson Daniel Ward Mat Whipple Nick Wiggers

Keith Mollohan Ricky Soinski

Jenner Tekancic

Shari Lindenbaum

Carrie Samek

NPI AUDIO VISUAL SOLUTIONS Steve Ball Jack Brodke Mike Carlton Kelly Clymer Brad Dehaven Glen Gahagan Hunter Geiger

CLEVELAND BROWNS Rob Conroy Jeff McDaniel

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS Pam Frasco

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Thank you for your support!

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS Curtis Danburg

ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE Matt Eck Morgan Ewert Nate Ferrall

Joe Frietchen Adam Hines Steven LaClair

Brooke Lowery Dominic Pavone

Gabriella Kreuz

Bridget Linton

TALENT Ahmad Crump

VIDEO PRODUCTION & PHOTOGRAPHY Allison Cole Brigid Gallagher Stone Kaufman

Gabriella Kreuz Jessica Powell Eric E-V Vajda

Gabe Wasylko John “Z” Zacchardelli

Melissa Mason

Grant Passell

Kamaria Montgomery Chris Presson

Ellie Robertson Ryan Woidke

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Aleksandra Breault Alyssa Brosious

VOLUNTEERS Erin Gardner Esha Goodwin Juan Goodwin

GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION Claudia Becker Jon Billak Emily Brandyberry,Intern Luis Castellano Rachel Denz Stephen Dunn Noah Evans David Gilbert Becky Griesmer Monica Gustin Henry Haas, Intern

Reilly Haas Alex Hernandez, Intern Garrett Hooker Keyshawn Jones Janet Kuiper Mallory Ladd Mark Lembke Chris Lewis Brenna Lorek Monica McKie Mike Mulhall

Jenna Perry, Intern Destany Post Matt Sajna Jamison Schroeder Marie Scovron Tiffany Skowronski Jayvontae Smith Rachael Stentz-Baugher Shannon Waffen Suzie Wray

24TH GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS

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AWARD VOTING PROCESS Local sports and media outlets were invited to nominate athletes and select finalists from Northeast Ohio from the following nine counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark and Summit.

Finalists were selected in each of the following Greater Cleveland Sports Awards Categories: • MALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR presented by University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute • FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR presented by University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute • MALE COLLEGIATE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR presented by H. Jack’s Plumbing & Heating Co. “The Super Plumber!”

• FEMALE COLLEGIATE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR presented by H. Jack’s Plumbing & Heating Co. “The Super Plumber!”

• PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR presented by JPMorgan Chase A special awards committee was formed to select recipients for the following awards: • Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine COURAGE AWARD • LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD presented by Union Home Mortgage • SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AWARD • SENIOR ATHLETE AWARD presented by Medical Mutual The following is a sample of local media outlets asked to participate in the nomination process: Akron Beacon Journal Associated Press Cleveland.com Cleveland Magazine Crain’s Cleveland Business

The News Herald The Plain Dealer ESPN Cleveland 950 WCPN 90.3 WKRK 92.3 WTAM 1100

Bally Sports Ohio WEWS – TV 5 WJW – TV 8 WKYC – TV 3 WOIO – TV 19

BEST MOMENT presented by JACK Entertainment was nominated by the general public who voted for Best Moment in Cleveland Sports during 2023. The winning moment was based on the number of submissions.

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Thank you for your support!

The Browns are proud to support the

Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and congratulate all of tonight’s award recipients!

@BrownsGiveBack

2023

MALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

PRESENTED BY UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS DRUSINSKY SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE Male High School Athlete of the Year Award is presented to one male high school athlete who has most distinguished themself through athletic excellence during the past year or athletic season and is in good academic standing.

MARQUISE DAVIS Cleveland Heights High School, Football Davis helped lead his team to a 10-1 record by finishing the season with 2,087 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 217 carries. He was named Northeast Lakes District Offensive Player of the Year and finished second in the voting for Ohio Mr. Football. He is currently ranked the #7 running back in Ohio. On the defensive side of the ball, Davis had 55 solo tackles, 11 assists, four TFL, one sack, three interceptions and added a defensive TD.

BO JACKSON Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, Football During the 2023 season, Jackson rushed for 1,400 yards on 110 carries for an average of 12.72 yards per carry and scored a combined 26 offensive touchdowns. In the air, Jackson had 350 receiving yards on 10 receptions for a combined 1,750 yards in the 2023 season. Defensively he accumulated 63 tackles, five tackles for loss, four pass breakups and five QB pressures. Jackson is ranked the #4 running back in the nation on 247 Sports and was named the Under Armour Camp MVP in the Midwest Region. At the end of the 2023 season, he was named First Team Offense All-Lake District, First Team All-State, a finalist for the Tony Fisher Award.

DORIAN JONES Richmond Heights High School, Basketball Jones was named All-Ohio Player of the Year in Division IV after helping lead his team to back-to-back state championships and an undefeated season in the 2022-23 season. Jones averaged 20 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game and 2 blocks per game.

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Thank you for your support!

2023

FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

PRESENTED BY UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS DRUSINSKY SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE Female High School Athlete of the Year Award is presented to one female high school athlete who has most distinguished themself through athletic excellence during the past year or athletic season and is in good academic standing.

BRECKSVILLE-BROADVIEW HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASTICS The Brecksville-Broadview Heights gymnastics team won the 2023 OHSAA state championship for an incredible 20th consecutive year, with its total score of 148.825 in the finals. The Bees’ 20-year state championship winning streak holds the record as the longest in the nation’s history.

SOPHIA SINDELAR Rocky River High School, Soccer Sindelar capped off a successful 2023 season by being named Division II Player of the Year, Ms. Ohio Soccer, First Team All-Ohio, Conference Most Valuable Player and a 2023 All-American after leading her team to the OHSAA Division II State Championship match. She finished the season with 59 goals and 19 assists which ranked 2nd in Ohio and 3rd nationally for goals scored. Her 59 goals scored this season rank 7th for most goals scored in a single season in Ohio history. She was also named Division II Greater Cleveland Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, Lorain Morning Journal Player of the Year and First Team All-Stars, and Cleveland.com First Team All-Stars. Sindelar announced in August that she will continue her soccer career at the University of Florida after she graduates.

TESSA KNAPP Bay Village High School, Soccer Knapp finished the 2023 season with 58 goals and 16 assists which ranked 3rd in Ohio and 4th nationally for goals scored. Tessa was selected earlier this year to represent the United States Youth National U-16 Team in France where she featured in three matches against France, Portugal and Norway and helped the team go undefeated in the tournament. This season she became Bay Village High School’s all-time leading goal scorer, and she also holds the record for most goals scored in a single season. Knapp finished the 2023 season with 148 career goals which is 10th highest career goals in Ohio history and 45 goals away from setting the all time Ohio career goals record. She was also named to the 2023 First Team All-Great Lakes Conference team and 2023 First Team All-Ohio. Knapp was named an Elite Clubs National League All American which is the highest level of girl’s youth club soccer as well as a United Soccer Coaches High School All-American and All-Region during 2023. Knapp announced in September that she will continue her soccer career at the University of Notre Dame.

24TH GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS

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2023

MALE COLLEGIATE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS PRESENTED BY H. JACK’S PLUMBING & HEATING CO. “THE SUPER PLUMBER!” Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year Award is presented to one collegiate male athlete that has most distinguished themself through athletic excellence during the past year or athletic season and is in good academic standing.

CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY MEN’S TENNIS The Case Western Men’s Tennis team finished the 2023 season 33-4 and topped it off as NCAA Division III National Champions, winning the first National Championship in school history in any sport. Their 33-4 record was also the most victories in one season in program history. The team claimed their first University Athletic Association Championship and won the ITA Indoor National Championship for the second year in a row.

LYLE YOST The Ohio State University, Diving (Shaker Heights High School) Yost capped off his career at Ohio State by winning the NCAA Division I, 1-Meter Championship, the first for OSU since 2016.

He was named CSCAA Diver of the Year and CSCAA First Team All-American. Yost was also the only diver at the 2023 NCAA Division I Championships to earn First Team All-American honors in all three dives. Yost was also the first in Ohio State’s history to be named the 2023 Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar of the Year for his diving and involvement in community service and academics.

JOE WHITMAN Kent State University, Baseball (Hudson High School) Whitman was named Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-American for the 2023 baseball season. He went 9-2 in 15 starts while leading the team in wins, innings pitched (81), and strikeouts (100). He also allowed two or fewer runs in 13 of his 15 starts. Whitman was drafted in the 2nd round (69th overall) of the MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants.

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Thank you for your support!

2023

FEMALE COLLEGIATE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS PRESENTED BY H. JACK’S PLUMBING & HEATING CO. “THE SUPER PLUMBER!” Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year Award is presented to one female athlete that has most distinguished themself through athletic excellence during the past year or athletic season and is in good academic standing.

DESTINY LEO Cleveland State University, Basketball (Eastlake North High School) Leo was named the 2023 Horizon League Player of the Year and First Team All Horizon League. She averaged 17.9 points per game while shooting 43% from the field and lead the conference in 3-point percentage (38.5%) and free throw percentage (91.9%). Destiny’s outstanding season helped lead Cleveland State to a program best record of 30-5, Horizon League regular-season and postseason tournament titles and a birth in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history.

TAYLOR MIKESELL The Ohio State University, Basketball (Massillon Jackson High School) Helped Ohio State to its first Elite Eight appearance in 30 years, averaging 17.2 points, 3.2 three-pointers made, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game during 35.5 minutes per game this season. Taylor led the team in scoring, three-pointers made and minutes, ranked third in assists and fourth in steals. She was named Big Ten First Team for the 2022-23 season. Mikesell was also a semifinalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award in 2023. Mikesell was drafted to the Indiana Fever in the 2023 WNBA Draft after a career with Ohio State.

ANNIE ROSHAK Ashland University, Basketball (North Canton Hoover High School) Roshak led Ashland to a Division II NCAA Championship Title by adding 20 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists during the championship game. She was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Female Athlete of the Year in 2023 and was voted Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player. Roshak received First Team All-American honors from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and Division II Conference Commissioners Association. She also earned a spot on the Midwest Region All-Tournament Team for the 2022-23 season. Roshak was Ashland’s leading scorer, averaging 14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks and was ranked 3rd in the nation in field goal percentage at 63%.

24TH GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS

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2023

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY JPMORGAN CHASE Professional Athlete of the Year Award is presented to the professional athlete who has most distinguished themself through athletic excellence during the past year or athletic season.

MYLES GARRETT

Cleveland Browns, Defensive End Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was the leader of the NFL’s best defense in 2023 recording 14 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.

Garrett also added 42 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 30 QB hits. Garrett is the only active player with 10 or more sacks in the past six consecutive seasons. He also became just the seventh player in NFL history to record 10 or more sacks in a season in six consecutive seasons. Garrett’s performance in Cleveland’s 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts earned him Week 7 AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording nine tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass defense and one blocked field goal.

Earlier this season, Garrett, who turned 28 on December 9th, surpassed Reggie White (80 sacks) for the most sacks by a player prior to his 28th birthday by recording his 87th sack this season.

DONOVAN MITCHELL

Cleveland Cavaliers, Shooting Guard Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell averaged a career-high 28.3 points, 4.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.43 steals and a careerhigh 35.8 minutes per game in 68 starts for the Cavaliers during the 2022-23 season. Mitchell was named an NBA All-Star for his fourth season in a row and an NBA All-Star starter for the first time in his career. He also became just the fifth Cavalier in franchise history to be named to an All-NBA Team when he was named to the All-NBA second team at the conclusion of the season. Mitchell’s 245 three-pointers were a career best and set the Cavaliers’ singleseason record. His 71 points scored on January 2nd broke Lebron James’ Cavaliers single game scoring record and marked the only time in NBA history where a player recorded 70+ points, 11+ assists and 8+ rebounds in a game. He finished the regular season with four 40+ point games in a row becoming the first player in Cavaliers history with 4-straight 40-point games. To start off the 2023-24 season, Mitchell is averaging 27.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.2 APG and shooting 44.8%. (stats as of 12.5.23)

JOSH NAYLOR

Cleveland Guardians, First Baseman A 2022 American League All-Star, José Ramírez recorded another star-studded season with the Cleveland Guardians, earning a Silver Slugger Award. In 2022, Ramírez hit .280 with .809 OPS, leading the American League in doubles with 44 and go-ahead RBIs with 31. He finished in the top four of American League MVP voting and had the most RBIs for a Cleveland hitter since 2001 with 126 which was ranks 3rd most in the MLB. Ramírez showed out in the postseason hitting .333 with two doubles, one home run and four RBIs in seven games including the go-ahead home run in the first game of the 2022 AL Wild Card Series.

24TH GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS

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SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AWARD SPIRE Academy is a world leader in personalized development for students, athletes and individuals, transforms passion in purpose while empowering peak performance in school, sport, work and life. Located in Geneva, Ohio, in the Greater Metro Cleveland area, the SPIRE campus is one of the largest indoor sport, training, competition and entertainment complexes in the world. An ‘Olympic Village’ setting with training and education for U.S. and international athletes in multiple sports. 850,000 sq. ft. of Olympic grade facilities on over 800 acres.

Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is thrilled to honor the SPIRE Academy with the Sports Development Award in recognition of their tremendous support in hosting over 20 events since 2011 at their one-of-a-kind facility.

These events include the upcoming NCAA DII Swimming & Diving Championships and five other NCAA National Championships, USA Track & Field Masters Nationals, US Masters Swimming & Artistic Swimming Championships and more.

Sports Development Award recognizes a person or organization that has made significant contributions to a new or created event in the city during the past year.

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COURAGE AWARD

PRESENTED BY CLEVELAND CLINIC SPORTS MEDICINE Olivia “Liv” Slivinski, a senior from Avon Lake, Ohio, overcame multiple significant orthopedic injuries to continue competitive swimming.

Slivinski suffered three major injuries over a twoand-a-half-year period, causing her to miss two high school and club swimming seasons. Her first major injury occurred in March 2021 when she tore her right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a lacrosse game. In June of 2022, after recovering from her first ACL tear, she tore her left ACL, and the next day dislocated her right shoulder.

As a result of her injuries, Slivinski underwent five procedures at Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine by Lutul Farrow, M.D., and his team. In April 2021, her right ACL was repaired, followed by a right knee scope in September. Following her second ACL tear and shoulder dislocation, Slivinski underwent a repair of her right patellar tendon in May 2022. In August of that year, she had her left ACL repaired and lastly, in January 2023, her right shoulder was stabilized, and her labrum was repaired.

Throughout her recovery, Slivinski attended 140 rehabilitation sessions with Cleveland Clinic physical therapist Kelly Kinsey.

“Liv was able to tackle and succeed in overcoming three pretty challenging injuries,” Kinsey said. “She did it with grace, hard work and a refreshingly positive attitude.”

During the recovery of her first knee injury, Slivinski struggled with the fear of re-injury and found reassurance in speaking with a Cleveland Clinic sports psychologist as part of her recovery.

Despite several setbacks, Slivinski was always seen in therapy with a smile on her face and positive attitude. It was not a question of whether she could return to swimming, but when she would return. Slivinski developed confidence and independence during this period of physical rehabilitation.

“To see an athlete bounce back from not only one, but two, ACL injuries and a shoulder injury, to get back in the pool and now go on to swim in college, is what makes what we do here at Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine special,” said Dr. Farrow. “Kelly and I are Liv’s biggest cheerleaders and look forward to seeing her future success.”

Slivinski worried that her injuries would impact her social life and normal high school activities, but she persevered by continuing to participate in team practices and attended homecoming and prom. She formed a bond with the Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine athletic trainers at Avon Lake High School and even volunteered as a student athletic trainer this past fall.

Slivinski has showed the courage to persevere through each hardship with a positive attitude, patience, and a sense of humor, that lead her back to competitive swimming.

“I was determined to bounce back after each injury -- I was much more prepared the second time with my ACL, knowing what it would take to get back in the water,” said Slivinski. “The one constant was the team I had around me, Coach Vince, Kelly, Dr. Farrow and my family were all in my corner which helped me more than I can describe.”

Slivinski is currently a senior at Avon Lake High School and lives at home with her parents and younger sister. She is currently swimming without restrictions and will be competing this season. Slivinski plans to continue to be a student-athlete in swimming in college while pursuing a degree in healthcare at PennWest California.

24TH GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS

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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED BY UNION HOME MORTGAGE Renee Powell is the first woman recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Powell was raised on Clearview Golf Club, located in East Canton, Ohio, built by her father, William “Bill” Powell, during times of racial adversity and segregation. The course was the first facility designed, constructed, owned, and operated by an African American. By the age of three, Powell was swinging a golf club for the first time, and early in her teenage years she had won more than 30 tournaments. In 1967, she became the second African American woman to compete on the LPGA Tour. As a tour player she competed in more than 250 professional tournaments and won the 1973 Kelly Springfield Open in Brisbane, Australia.

Following her time on the LPGA Tour, Powell dedicated her life to diversifying the game of golf and inclusion in the game. She became an International Goodwill Ambassador traveling to Africa on more than 25 trips to host golf clinics. She has also committed her life to expanding golf to more youth, women, seniors, minorities, and military veterans. In 2011, she launched Clearview HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) a cost-free, year-round therapeutic and recreational golf program specifically for women veterans. As a sought-after public speaker, Renee has informed, inspired, and enlightened countless audiences locally, nationally, and internationally.

Renee has earned countless awards during her more than five decades in the game of golf.

In 2015, she became one of two American women initially given honorary membership into the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. Some of her other notable awards include being named PGA of America First Lady of Golf, the LPGA Rolex For the Love of the Game Award, the PGA Tour Card Walker Award, the USGA Ike Grainger Award, the LPGA Pioneer Award, the Donald Ross Award, and the Charles Bartlett Award. In 2008, Renee became the third American, and the only woman golfer, to receive an honorary doctorate from The University of St. Andrews in its now 600-plus year history. In 2018, the university also bestowed a rare honor making her the first American to have a building named in her honor, Renee Powell Hall. In 2010, The University of Maryland Eastern Shore awarded Renee with an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service. In 2022, the World Golf Hall of Fame made Renee the inaugural recipient of the Charlie Sifford Award for Advancing Diversity in the Game of Golf.

Renee has also made strides in other areas of the golf industry including fashion and broadcasting. While living in London, England, she was one of the first women golfers to design her own clothing line. She has also commentated on numerous golf tournaments on both CBS and ABC. Today, Renee is the LPGA/PGA Head Golf Professional at Clearview Golf Club, where she and her brother, Larry, a life member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), are keeping their father’s legacy of “Golf for Everyone” alive. Renee’s work extends throughout her community as a member of several boards including the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Mercy Medical Center, and Pathway Caring for Children, as well as a member of Rotary International.

Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Union Home Mortgage is given to a person who has dedicated their lives to the advancement of sports in Cleveland. Past recipients have ranged from former Guardians’ franchise greats and Browns legends to high school football coaches in the region.

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SENIOR ATHLETE AWARD PRESENTED BY MEDICAL MUTUAL

Jeannie Rice, long-distance runner, from Mentor, Ohio continues to inspire us by her relentless pursuit of leading an active lifestyle and continues to compete at the age of 75.

Rice grew up in Korea and didn’t move to the United States until she was 19 years old. She didn’t begin running until she was 35, but immediately discovered she had a knack for distance running.

In 2023, a few days after turning 75, she ran the Boston Marathon finishing in 3 hours and 30 minutes, averaging just over 8 minutes per mile.

Just six weeks before Boston, Rice won the women’s 70+ age category at the Tokyo Marathon in 3:31:22 to receive her six-star finisher medal, awarded to runners who have completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors. “it’s been a successful year for me in the running world,” she said. “I am very blessed and so lucky to have a healthy 2022!!! 33 road, track, and successful cross-country races from 1,500m to marathons. I had so much fun competing and met so many wonderful new friends.”

During the 2023 National Masters Track Championships, she won five races from 400m and up, and set three world records. Rice also broke the women’s masters world record in the Chicago Marathon this past October, winning the 75-79 age group in 3:34:32. She set American records with a 49-minute 10K and finishing the half marathon in one hour and 43 minutes during the race and won the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Championship, which took place within the Chicago race. Jeannie holds world records in women’s 75-79 world records in the 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m.

Senior Athlete Award presented by Medical Mutual is awarded to a senior athlete, over the age of 65, who has gone above and beyond to achieve their athletic goals through leading an active lifestyle.

24TH GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS

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