Thorpe Event Honors Bob Gibson
SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS: Many sports celebrities were present at last year’s Jim Thorpe Legends in Sports Dinner. From left are veteran sports writer and editor Terrell Lester, Legends recipient Bob Lilly, KJRH Channel 2 Sports Director Al Jerkens and Tulsa World sports writer Bill Haisten.
GTR Newspapers
Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson has been selected to receive the 2005 “Jim Thorpe Legends in Sports Award” March 28 at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center.
“Bob Gibson is truly a Legend in Sports and the Jim Thorpe Association is particularly honored to have him come and share an evening with us,” says Tommy Thompson, director of the Tulsa Division of the Thorpe Association.
Gibson was a big-game pitcher, an intimidating presence on the mound, during his 17-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in the first year of his eligibility, 1981.
Gibson will be the first baseball player to receive the Jim Thorpe Legends in Sports Award.
At the inaugural dinner in 2003, Legends awards were bestowed upon rodeo cowboy Jim Shoulders, football players Steve Largent and Drew Pearson, and golfer Dale McNamara.
Last year, Randy White and Bob Lilly of the Dallas Cowboys were in Tulsa to receive the 2004 Legends awards.
Henry Primeaux will be honored with the Thorpe Community Spirit Award. Megan Ballou, a senior student/athlete from Locust Grove High School, will be given the Larry Brummett Courage Award. University Scholar/Athlete awards go to Antonio Perkins (OU); Joey and Stephan Graham (OSU); Dennis Bigley (ORU); and James Kilian (TU). Felix Jones (Booker T. Washington) and Leah Hope (Hale High School) are the male and female athletes of the year.
Bob Carpenter, longtime Cardinals announcer, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Legends dinner.
Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges.
Individual tickets are $130 and tables of ten are $1200. All table sponsors will receive an official major league baseball autographed by Bob Gibson.
The evening is “black tie, optional” with a great dinner served by the staff of the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel staff. There will be a live auction of “5” signed authentic St. Louis Cardinal jerseys. The jerseys will have a picture of Mr. Gibson signing and a certificate of authenticity.
For additional information, contact Tommy R. Thompson, Tulsa Sports Charities, Inc., at 918-491-2200 or 918-645-4905.
Updated 03-30-2005
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