GENE AUTRY COURAGE AWARDS

The Gene Autry Courage Award is named in honor of legendary cowboy and sportsman Gene Autry. Gene Autry Courage Awards are given annually to deserving current and former athletes and coaches who demonstrate inspirational acts of courage and heroism while overcoming extreme adversity. The nominees are chosen from the following three categories: professional athlete or coach, college amateur athlete or coach, and local Arizona athlete or coach. The Sports Authority works with the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation and Angels Care to select the award recipients.

Honorees and other sports celebrities will provide star attractions for attendees. A silent and live auction and banquet tickets are used to raise funds for college scholarships and youth charities.

The Awards are presented at a gala banquet in Tempe, Arizona, during baseball Spring Training through the volunteer efforts of the Tempe Sports Authority. The Awards are presented by Angels Care (a Foundation partnership between the Anaheim Angels and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation) and the Tempe Sports Authority.

The festivities provide inspirational role models to young people of our state and nation, as well as tell stories that will enhance our faith in mankind and invest in our future through educational support of young people.

 

Past Recipients of the Gene Autry Courage Award

2001
  • Eric Compton First heart transplant PGA tour
  • David Benney Visually impaired high school athlete–wrestling & beeper baseball
  • Chris Gedney Former Az Cardinal Football - removal of large intestine due to  ulcerative colitis
  • Carlos Moleda Ironman Champion in the Wheelchair Division Navy Seal- paralyzed from the waist down

2000
  • Reggie Brown Detroit Lions Defensive End
  • Clarinda Brueck Triathlon Winner
  • Troy Davis Wheelchair sprinter
  • Daniel Huffman Football player

1999
  • Kirk Bauer President, Disabled Sports USA
  • David Carey Former Scottsdale Community College Baseball Player
  • Mike Edwards University of Notre Dame Basketball Player
  • Tom Whittaker Mountain Climber

1998

  • Cara Dunne Blind Paralympian Cyclist

  • Michael Martin Arizona State University Football Player
  • Sammy Sosa Chicago Cubs Baseball Player
  • Mario "Motts" Tonelli Former Chicago Cardinals Football Player

1997
  • Gail Devers Olympic Gold Medal Winning Sprinter
  • Jean Driscoll World Record Holding Wheelchair Racer
  • Alyssa Johnson Arizona State University Women’s Softball Player
  • Mike Utley Former Detroit Lions Lineman
  • Tony Volpentest World Class Sprinter

1996

  • Harold Dennis University of Kentucky Football Player

  • Dave Dravecky Former San Francisco Giants Pitcher
  • Marc Strohmaier Former Scholastic Football Player
  • Erik Weihenmayer Blind Mountain Climber
  • Trischa Zorn Blind All-American Swimmer

1995

  • Ashley Bethel Former National Youth Pentathlon Champion

  • Dr. Jim Brock Former Arizona State University Baseball Coach
  • Marc Buoniconti Former University of Miami Football Player
  • Matt Parry Wheelchair Racing Gold Medalist
  • Neal Walk Former Phoenix Suns Center

1994

  • Duncan Kennedy 1994 U.S. Olympic Luge Team Member

  • Steve Palermo Former Major League Baseball Umpire
  • Haley Scott University of Notre Dame Swimmer
  • Gary Venturo Tempe, Arizona Area High School Football Coach