On behalf of the Richmond Region Tourism Foundation, I’m beyond excited to welcome you to the 2026 RVA Sports Awards, presented by Colonial Downs® & Rosie’s Gaming Emporium®. Tonight marks a major milestone, our 5th anniversary of celebrating the athletes, coaches, teams, fans, and unforgettable moments that define the Richmond Region sports community.
Five years strong, and every year this event gets bigger, bolder, and more inspiring. But it’s not just about the gold envelopes. Tonight is all about celebrating the amazing sports community that makes the Richmond Region a powerhouse of passion and pride.
Every nomination this year proves one thing: RVA is where champions are made. From the grind of practice to the roar of the crowd, you all show what teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship look like.
Of course, none of this happens without our MVPs, our sponsors, our host venue — the Altria Theater, our media partners CBS 6 and Richmond Times-Dispatch, and most importantly, YOU. Your support is what makes the Richmond Region a sports destination and a community that plays and wins together.
So tonight, let’s celebrate five years of highlights, hustle, and heart. Let’s honor the legends, the rising stars, and the unforgettable plays that keep us inspired.
This is more than an awards show, it’s a movement. A reminder that sports don’t just entertain us, they energize us, unite us, and push us to be better on and off the field.
With pride and excitement,
Katherine O’Donnell President & CEO
Richmond Region Tourism
Richmond Region Tourism Foundation
SHOW PROGRAM
Silent Auction Bidding
Closes @ 4 PM
Pre-Show
Richmond Region Tourism Welcome
Katherine O’Donnell, President & CEO
Danielle Fitz-Hugh, Vice President of Community Relations
Live Show Details
Lane Casadonte, Sports Director, CBS 6
Welcome
Performance by the Henrico High School Band
Hosted by:
Lane Casadonte, CBS 6
Kelli Lemon, Virginia Video Network
Celebrity Guest:
Briana Scurry, Soccer Legend, Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup Champion Goalkeeper, and National Soccer Hall of Famer
CBS 6 Live Show
Entertainment by DJ Rich FLo Award Presentations
Coach of the Year presented by Brown Distributing Company
Courage Story presented by Virginia Credit Union
Commercial Break
Community Champion Award presented by The Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by Virginia’s Richmond Region
Event Impact of the Year presented by Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
Commercial Break
Youth Team of the Year
Youth Athlete of the Year
Fan of the Year presented by Techno Branded SWAG
Commercial Break
Male Athlete of the Year presented by Colonial Downs® & Rosie’s Gaming Emporium®
Female Athlete of the Year presented by Kings Dominion
Commercial Break Team of the Year
Moment of the Year presented by 288 Travel –a division of The 288 Group
Closing Remarks
Silent Auction Pickup
Don’t forget to pick up any Silent auction items that you may have won before you leave.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Coach of the Year
presented by Brown Distributing Company
Recognizing a Richmond Region coach at the amateur, high school, collegiate, or professional level whose mentorship, integrity, and leadership inspired athletes and left a meaningful community impact.
Courage Story presented by Virginia Credit Union
Honoring an individual, team, or organization in the Richmond Region whose extraordinary courage and resilience in 2025 transcended sports and inspired the community.
Community Champion Award
presented by The Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by Virginia’s Richmond Region
Presented to a Richmond Region fan, volunteer, or advocate whose passion and commitment have strengthened RVA’s sports community and left a lasting legacy through sports.
Event Impact of the Year
presented by Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
This award recognizes excellence in leveraging sports as a powerful driver of economic growth and community engagement in the Richmond Region. It honors creative and impactful marketing initiatives that use sporting events, partnerships, or campaigns to attract visitors, boost tourism, and generate measurable economic impact. The winner will have demonstrated innovative strategies that connect sports with regional promotion, enhance the visitor experience, and contribute to Richmond’s reputation as a premier sports destination.
Youth Team of the Year
Recognizing a Richmond Region youth team (through high school level) that showcased extraordinary skill, perseverance, and teamwork in 2025 while inspiring pride in the community.
Youth Athlete of the Year
Honoring an exceptional Richmond Region youth athlete (through high school level) whose talent, determination, and character set them apart as a rising star in 2025.
Fan of the Year
presented by Techno Branded SWAG
Celebrating the Richmond Region’s most passionate sports supporter whose energy, dedication, and love for the game make them an essential part of RVA’s sports community.
Male Athlete of the Year
presented by Colonial Downs® & Rosie’s Gaming Emporium®
Celebrating a standout male athlete in the Richmond Region, amateur, collegiate, or professional whose athletic success and community involvement have made a lasting mark on RVA sports in 2025.
Female Athlete of the Year
presented by Kings Dominion
Awarded to a local female athlete in the Richmond Region, amateur, collegiate, or professional who embodies the highest values of competition, leadership, and sportsmanship, while making a positive impact on the community in 2025.
Team of the Year
Presented to a Richmond Region team, amateur, collegiate, or professional, that demonstrated outstanding success, resilience, and unity in 2025, inspiring fans and strengthening community pride.
Moment of the Year
presented by 288 Travel – a division of The 288 Group
This award recognizes the electrifying moment that had Richmond Region fans cheering, tweeting, and talking for days. From jaw-dropping plays to awe-inspiring acts of character, this moment captured the energy of the region and became the highlight of the sports year.
AWARD FINALISTS
Coach of the Year
presented by Brown Distributing Company
Rally Axselle, Atlee High School Boys Basketball
Cornell Core, James River High School Girls Track
Jeremy Pruitt, Armstrong High School Football
Aaron Roussell, University of Richmond Women’s Basketball
Courage Story presented by Virginia Credit Union
Antoine Craig, US Blind Soccer National Team Athlete & Mental Performance Therapist
Community Champion Award
presented by The Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by Virginia’s Richmond Region
William M. T. Forrester, MJBL
Event Impact of the Year
presented by Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
Allianz Richmond Marathon
Dominion Energy Charity Classic
NXTPro Basketball Event
VAXC Showcase Event at Pole Green Park
Youth Team of the Year
Benedictine College Preparatory Football
Collegiate Girls Tennis
Manchester High School Girls Basketball
Midlothian High School Softball
Youth Athlete of the Year
Davion Brown, Trinity Episcopal Football
Emerson Callis, Monacan High School Swimming
Marlee Gaskell, Midlothian High School Softball
Darius Gray, St. Christopher’s Football
Fan of the Year
presented by Techno Branded SWAG
Lance Brown & Anthony Clary, November Project & We Off The Couch
Carolina Cano, Bus Driver Collegiate Super Fan
Ray Edwards, Richmond Flying Squirrels
Ron Pomfrey, Super Collector
Male Athlete of the Year
presented by Colonial Downs® & Rosie’s Gaming Emporium®
Curtis Allen, Virginia Union University Football
John Cerminara, USA Track & Field Masters Discus
Jacob Cooper, Virginia State University Basketball
Aidan O’Neil, University of Richmond Lacrosse
Female Athlete of the Year presented by Kings Dominion
Maggie Doogan, University of Richmond Basketball
CJ James, River City Sting
Amanda Lanyon, Randolph-Macon Softball
Suzanne McWilliams, Sports Backers and SwimRVA Triathlete
Team of the Year
Randolph-Macon College Football
Randolph-Macon College Softball
Virginia Commonwealth University Men’s Basketball
Virginia State University Men’s Basketball
Virginia Union University Football
Moment of the Year
presented by 288 Travel – a division of The 288 Group
American Promise Wins Virginia Derby
Richmond Flying Squirrels Final Week at the Diamond
Richmond LAX Beats UNC – First NCAA Win
Thomas Dale Walk-Off 99-yard Pick-6
RICHMOND REGION TOURISM FOUNDATION
The Richmond Region Tourism Foundation celebrates tonight’s winners and scholarship recipients. We honor and recognize them for their continued determination and dedication in exemplifying the power of sports in the Richmond Region.
ABOUT RICHMOND REGION TOURISM FOUNDATION
The Richmond Region Tourism Foundation’s mission is to be a community-shared value that advances tourism’s impact on the quality of life in the Richmond Region by generating awareness and educating residents about the importance of tourism. We do this by supporting and investing in three important areas:
