David Cassidy on the Web
31st Annual Victor Awards Honors Major Sports Stars
August 21, 1997
LAS VEGAS, June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 12th time in his storied career, hockey phenomenon Wayne Gretzky received special honors at the 31st Annual Victor Awards televised from the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel Saturday night (June 21).
The Victor Awards, benefiting the City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, honored 30 outstanding professional and amateur athletes in 14 categories of sports for their accomplishments both on and off the field of play.
The show featured the top names in sports including Evander Holyfield, four-time heavyweight boxing champion; Tommy Lasorda, whose career with the Los Angeles Dodgers spans more than 40 years; and Kerri Strug, Olympic Gold medalist.
Gretzky, who was honored with the Victor Awards "Hall of Fame" award for his career accomplishments in hockey in 1994, received this year's award for continuing his extraordinary career. Other show highlights included the honoring of Tommy Lasorda for his phenomenal accomplishments when he managed the Los Angeles Dodgers for 21 years. He managed in four World Series and brought home the championship in 1981 and 1988.
A special honor was presented to hotel magnate Barron Hilton when he received "The Spirit of Life," the most prestigious honor given on behalf of City of Hope. Hilton, who has hosted the Victor Awards, the longest running sports awards show, during most of its 31-year history, is chairman of the Hilton Corporation.
The City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute located in Los Angeles, is renowned for its treatment and research to combat cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses. The research conducted at City of Hope is shared with medical centers worldwide, touching the lives of millions of people everywhere.
Florence Henderson, veteran spokesperson for the medical center, joined a host of stars on the show including Loni Anderson, Mr. Blackwell, David Cassidy, Bart Conner, Nadia Comaneci, the Radio City Rockettes and Billy Dee Williams.
Victor Award recipients were nominated by the editors of Petersen Publishing Company's Sport Magazine. Winners were determined by the National Academy of Sports Editors, comprising a cross-section of sports editors, writers and broadcasters across the nation.
The Victor Awards is sponsored by the Hilton Hotels Corporation and Sport Magazine. Barron Hilton, chairman of Hilton Hotels Corporation, is honorary national chairman of the Victor Awards.
The 1997 Victor Award winners are:
Professional Baseball -- Player, Alex Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners; Manager, Joe Torre, New York Yankees; Comeback Player, Mark McGwire, Oakland A's; Rookie, Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
Professional Football -- Player, Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers; Coach, Mike Holmgren, Green Bay Packers; Comeback Player, Terry Allen, Washington Redskins; Rookie, Eddie George, Houston Oilers
Professional Basketball -- Player, Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls; Coach, Pat Riley, Miami Heat; Comeback Player, Dominique Wilkins, San Antonio Spurs; Rookie, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Vancouver Grizzlies
Hockey -- Player, Wayne Gretzky, New York Rangers; Coach, Scotty Bowman, Detroit Red Wings; Comeback Player, Tony Granato, San Jose Sharks; Rookie Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
College Basketball -- Women's Coach, Pat Summitt, Tennessee Lady Volunteer basketball team; Female Player, Kara Wolters, University of Connecticut; Men's Coach, Roy Williams, Kansas Jayhawks; Male Player, Tim Duncan, Wake Forest
College Football -- Player, Orlando Pace, Ohio State; Coach, Steve Spurrier, Florida Gators
Boxing -- Boxer, Oscar De La Hoya; Comeback Boxer, Evander Holyfield
Golf -- Female Player, Annika Sorenstam; Male Player, Tiger Woods
Track and Field -- Female Track Athlete, Gail Devers; Male Track Athlete, Michael Johnson
Bowling -- Bob Learn Jr.
Horseracing -- Chris McCarron
Auto Racing -- Driver, Jeff Gordon
Soccer Player, Carlos Valderrama; Tampa Bay Mutiny
Tennis -- Female Player, Steffi Graf; Male Player, Pete Sampras; Comeback Player, Jennifer Capriati
Special Award -- Aviation Achievement, Linda Finch
Special Achievement -- Olympic Gold Medalists Amanda Beard, swimming; Justin Huish, Archery; Kerri Strug, gymnastics; Kenny Harrison, track; and Kim Rhode, shooting, as well as Steve Fossett for Ballooning Achievement and Sammie Haynes, Special Negro League Recognition Award
Sports Journalism -- Sportscaster, Bob Costas
Victor Awards Hall of Fame -- Tommy Lasorda, Los Angeles Dodgers
"The Spirit of Life" Award -- Barron Hilton
