OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
German skier Andreas Wellinger celebrates winning a gold medal. Silver medalist Johann Andre Forfang (left) and bronze medalist Robert Johansson, both of Norway, look on.
Former Major League Baseball player and World Series hero Luis Gonzalez headlines the azcentral Sports Awards show for 2018.
The third annual live event will be June 10 at ASU Gammage. The Red Carpet arrivals start at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m.
For Gonzalez, this will be his second year in a row attending the event. His son Jacob was a finalist for Baseball Player of the Year in 2017.
“I had my son (Jacob), who graduated last year, he was actually at this awards ceremony,” Gonzalez said. “It was incredible. Just to see all the athletes there, in one room, all the accomplishments that they’ve had, it’s unbelievable. These are great student athletes, and for them to be involved in this process and going through this, it’s a special night.”
Gonzalez recalled his high school baseball career in Tampa, Fla., where he was a teammate of fellow future big-leaguer Tino Martinez.
“The relationships and the friendships that you make with these guys, those are your best friends that you have for the rest of your life,” Gonzalez said.
The azcentral Sports Awards honor the best in high school sports, with top awards going out to the Boys and Girls Athletes as well as Players of the Year in all the sports. The show is also an opportunity to honor others in the high school community. The I AM SPORT award will go out to high school student-athletes who are committed to giving back to the youth in their communities. The night will also honor Unified Sport athletes. So for someone who already saw what this night is all about, what advice does Gonzalez have? “Just enjoy the process,” he said. “These are great student athletes and they have a chance to go on and continue their careers at colleges so have fun with it.”
Tickets are on sale now through the ASU Gammage ticket office.