For Immediate Release

Contact: Lauren Wilkins Brian Berger ETZEL Agency BBPR (503) 544-8905 (503) 701-2215 [email protected] [email protected]

DAMIAN LILLARD, GARY PAYTON II, ELLA DONAGHU AND JUSTIN HERBERT AMONG WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT 64TH ANNUAL OREGON SPORTS AWARDS HOSTED BY NIKE

Gavin Begay from Madras High School is the first official PLAY IT FORWARD award recipient during the ceremony at the Tiger Woods Center at Nike World Headquarters

BEAVERTON, Ore. --- June 7, 2016 – Top Oregon pro and amateur athletes, teams, coaches and administrators were honored at the 64th Annual Oregon Sports Awards hosted by Nike on Monday night. ESPN SportsCenter anchor and alum Neil Everett hosted the event at the Stanford Theater in the Tiger Woods Center at Nike World Headquarters.

A statewide voting panel consisting of TV, radio and print personalities, in addition to respected sports professionals, cast their votes for the Oregon Sports Awards winners for 2015-2016 academic year.

64th Annual Oregon Sports Awards winners included:

Johnny Carpenter Prep Athlete of the Year (6A-5A – MALE): Justin Herbert, Sheldon H.S. (Football, Basketball and Baseball)

Johnny Carpenter Prep Athlete of the Year (6A-5A – FEMALE): Ella Donaghu (@EDonaghu), Grant H.S. (Cross Country and Track & Field)

Johnny Carpenter Prep Athlete of the Year (4A-1A – MALE): Will Shaw, Yoncalla H.S. (Football, Basketball and Baseball)

Johnny Carpenter Prep Athlete of the Year (4A-1A – FEMALE): Catherine Clemens, Burns H.S. (Volleyball and Basketball)

Bill Hayward Award – Amateur Athletes of the Year (MALE): Gary Payton II, Oregon State University (Basketball)

Bill Hayward Award – Amateur Athlete of the Year (FEMALE): Jamie Weisner (@jamieweisner), Oregon State University (Basketball)

Harry Glickman Award – Professional Athlete of the Year (MALE): Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard), Portland Trail Blazers

Harry Glickman Award – Professional Athlete of the Year (FEMALE): Brianne Theisen-Eaton (@btheiseneaton), Olympic Heptathlete and Oregon Track Club Elite member (Track & Field)

Slats Gill Award – Sportsperson of the Year: Scott Rueck (@CoachRueck), Oregon State University Women’s Basketball; Caleb Porter, Portland Timbers FC

For a complete list of Oregon Sports Awards winners, including those from the prep ranks, go online to http://oregonsportsawards.com/awards.html.

The Play It Forward Award 2015 marked the launch of the Oregon Sports Awards Play It Forward Award presented by Nike and Providence Health & Services. Last year, Tennessee Titans QB Marcus Mariota was the first honorary winner of the Play it Forward Award, and on Monday night Gavin Begay, a senior at Madras High School, became the first official winner of the prestigious award.

Beginning last September, the Oregon Sports Awards recognized one high school and one college athlete each month for the great work they are doing to give back in their communities across Oregon. Students were nominated by a community member or they could self-select to be considered for the monthly honor and award. On Monday night Begay was selected from the 18 athletes recognized throughout the 2015-2016 school year.

Gavin balances varsity football, basketball and pow-wow dancing and drumming. A member of the Warm Springs Youth Council, Gavin has also volunteered to umpire and referee youth basketball tournaments at the Community Center and the Kiwanis youth basketball league in the Warm Springs community for the last few years. When he is not officiating, Gavin is often seen in the dugout of his dad’s Warm Springs Nation Little League Baseball team, supporting the team, facility needs, practice drills or cheering on the players. Truly exemplifying a Play It Forward winner, Gavin also spends time at the Warm Springs Boys & Girls Club assisting with after-school gym activities.

Nike believes in the power of youth sports to unleash human potential, and Providence Health & Services is committed to helping kids be physically active by building healthier communities together with community partners. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer kids have the opportunity today to experience the benefits of positive youth sports and physical activity. One of the barriers to getting kids moving more is simply access to role models that engage and inspire them. The Play It Forward Award was created to recognize the high school and college athletes who have become inspirational role models in their community.

As part of the Play It Forward Award, presenting sponsors Nike and Providence will also donate a combined $50,000 ($30K from Nike and $20K from Providence) to kick start a new “Youth Sports Fund” managed by the Oregon Sports Authority Foundation. Details on the Play It Forward Award and grant guidelines for the Youth Sports Fund will be shared in August at http://oregonsportsawards.com/awards.html.

Follow the Oregon Sports Awards on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oregonsportsawards, and to follow the Oregon Sports Awards on Twitter, go online to www.twitter.com/ORSportsAwards.

The Oregon Sports Awards Highlight Show will air on Tuesday, June 7 at 7:00pm on Comcast SportsNet Northwest.

About the Oregon Sports Awards Originally the Hayward Banquet of Champions, the Oregon Sports Awards began in 1948 to honor Oregon’s outstanding professional and amateur athletes, teams, coaches and administrators from many levels and a wide range of sports. Today, the Oregon Sports Awards are held in the state-of-the-art, 770-seat Stanford Theater in the Tiger Woods Center at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

For more information, visit: www.oregonsportsawards.com