Statesman's High School Awards Show Transforms Itself, Featuring 20+ Professional Athletes
Austin American-Statesman is changing its annual All-Centex Preps Awards Show from a physical event originally scheduled for Monday, June 1 to a star-studded awards show that will be available at no charge at 6 p.m. CDT on Thursday, June 18. The show will feature more than 20 professional athletes as hosts and award announcers, and provide the community with an on-demand broadcast to maintain the annual tradition of honoring hundreds of student athletes for their hard work and dedication in their sport during the past school year.
“Regardless of the challenges we all face right now, we want to celebrate our community's high school athletes for all they've achieved,” said John Bridges, Executive Editor of Austin American-Statesman. “While none of us wanted to cancel the highly anticipated annual event, we wanted to be nimble, to show leadership, safety and caution in our response, while not giving up on the dedication these athletes have shown through their athletic endeavors.”
The awards show will be available to watch on any smart device through YouTube, the event website, statesman.com/preps and at media partner, The Horn FM thanks to the continued support of area business leaders, like partners Thomas J. Henry and Sames Red Barn Motors.
The awards event will be hosted by television sports anchors Jesse Palmer and Sage Steele. Celebrity athletes will be participating in the awards presentation and include New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, as the football award presenter; Olympic gold medalist Venus Williams, as the tennis award presenter; Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor, as the volleyball award presenter; and Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, as the cross country and track awards presenter with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
“These High School athletes deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments. They work so hard and have a tremendous amount of drive, commitment and passion. These characteristics will shape what they do in the future, both on and off the athletic field. We want to support that level of dedication and encourage them to continue to build on it for their futures. Congratulations to all these athletes on their outstanding accomplishments." Thomas J. Henry, Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys
The show will feature opportunities to win autographed gifts and other prizes both before the debut and during the show. Students who register online by Sunday, May 10 on the event website will receive event updates and be included in any gift mailings.
Gannett owns and operates the largest high school athlete recognition program in the U.S. Viewers can find various locations, including the All-Centex Preps Awards show, at: sportsawards.usatoday.com, as well as on the event website at statesman.com/preps.
Details
April 29, 2020
Austin American Statesman