NASCAR on Fox Coordinating Producer ARTIE KEMPNER was named the recipient of the 1 Man, 1 Mission Award, presented by Young's Marketing Co. Senior VP/Marketing BONNER PADDOCK's OM Foundation yesterday at the National Sports Forum in Cincinnati. The award celebrates someone in the sports industry who has overcome obstacles to find success or made a difference in the lives of others. Kempner was a finalist along with D-Backs President & CEO DERRICK HALL and former MLBer JAMIE MOYER. Kempner was cited for work he had done in launching Autism Delaware, which helps families with autism. In accepting the award, Kempner stressed to the audience, "Go out and do something -- do something you feel passionate about. Pick somebody, something. It really can make a difference in people's lives" (THE DAILY).
CHARITY STRIPE: Capitals RW ALEX OVECHKIN used much of his time at the '15 NHL All-Star Game in Columbus "lobbying to secure a car for charity, and he was eventually able to deliver on that noble intent." He traveled to Falls Church, Va., yesterday and picked up a Honda that is "going be auctioned off" for his charity of choice, the American Special Hockey Association. Proceeds will go to "funding of team, tournament and camp grants for players with developmental disabilities" (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 2/9)....The bike Seahawks DE MICHAEL BENNETT "joyfully commandeered" after the NFC Championship was the "star auction item" at the Seattle Hotel Association’s Evening of Hope Gala on Saturday night. The bike sold for $10,000, and the Seattle Police Foundation will "split the take with Bennett’s foundation." The bike was ridden onto the stage by Seattle Police Sgt. TONY BAILY, whose bike was "replaced for free" by SPD’s regular supplier, Volcanic Bikes. Bennett was supposed to be at the gala but sent a video instead (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/10).
NAMES: Bulls C JOAKIM NOAH is "getting into the gym business." Noah has "struck a deal" through his marketing agency with N.Y.-based chain Crunch Fitness to open five Crunch gym locations in the Chicago area over the next few years. The deal was "sparked by a new partnership" between Crunch and BDA Sports Management, which represents Noah (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 2/9)....SCP Auctions “is auctioning off” former NFLer SCOTT NORWOOD’s ’90 and ’91 AFC title rings he received from the Bills. The ’90 ring “is expected to command more money” because Norwood missed a critical kick in the subsequent Super Bowl XXV (ESPN.com, 2/9)….Former MLBer DEREK JETER and his girlfriend, model HANNAH DAVIS, were “spotted celebrating” Davis’ SI Swimsuit cover Saturday at Hunt & Fish Club in Midtown Manhattan (N.Y. POST, 2/10)….TNT’s CHARLES BARKLEY, ESPN’s CHRIS BERMAN, ABC’s ROBIN ROBERTS and ESPN’s JESSE PALMER attended “a surprise 60th birthday party” for ESPN’s JOHN SAUNDERS at 48 Lounge in N.Y. (N.Y. POST, 2/10).
IN MEMORY: Former AP sportswriter DAVE GOLDBERG died Sunday at the age of 73. He was "one of the nation's top football writers and an award-winning veteran of 41 years" at the AP. He retired from the news service in '09 "after a quarter-century as its lead NFL writer," also serving as an assistant bureau chief, correspondent, editor and supervisor from '68-'09. He covered a "variety of other sports" as well. Goldberg's family said that his death was due to "complications following hip surgery" (AP, 2/9).
