Seventh Annual O’Charley’s Dinner of Champions Award Nominees Announced

1/25/2005

Seventh Annual O’Charley’s Dinner of Champions Award Nominees Announced
Four Commodores Nominated for Awards

Vanderbilt head baseball coach Tim Corbin, former left-handed pitcher Jeremy Sowers, former basketball player Matt Freije and former golfer Brandt Snedeker are all nominees for 7th Annual O’Charley’s Dinner of Champions awards. The award nominees were announced Monday (Jan. 24) by the Nashvile Sports Council.

Corbin and Freije are nominees for Sports Person of the Year along with Bobby Hamilton (NASCAR), Derrick Mason (Titans), and Tomas Vokoun (Predators).

Freije, Sowers and Snedeker are all nominees for Amateur Sports Athlete along with the Cumberland Baseball program and Mardy Scales (MTSU Track).

The winners will be presented Feb. 10 (Thurday) at Gaylord Opryland Resort Delta Ballroom. Also presented will be the Fred Russell Lifetime Achievement, Community Spirit, High School Athletics and Kaia Jergenson Courage Awards. The Top 10 Sports Moments in Nashville for 2004 as voted by Middle Tennessee’s sports media will also be highlighted.

“This is a fantastic list of nominees and will be another exciting evening to celebrate Middle Tennessee sports,” said Gregory L. Burns, chairman and chief executive officer, O’Charley’s.

Sports Person of the Year:
Tim Corbin-Vanderbilt Baseball Coach; Matt Freije-Former Vanderbilt Basketball Player; Bobby Hamilton-NASCAR Driver; Derrick Mason-Tennessee Titan Wide-Receiver; Tomas Vokoun-Nashville Predators Goaltender.

Amateur Sports:
Cumberland Baseball Program; Matt Freije; Mardy Scales-MTSU Track Athlete; Brandt Snedeker-Former Vanderbilt Golfer and Nationwide Tour Player; Jeremy Sowers-Former Vanderbilt Baseball Player.

High School Athletics:
Corey Brewer-Former Portland High Basketball Player and Florida Gator; Andrew Bumbalough-Brentwood Academy Track Athlete; Danielle Pieroni-Goodpasture Softball Player. Riverdale Football Team.

“We’re excited about honoring some incredible achievements during 2004,” said Scott Ramsey, executive director. Added Ramsey, “This event is a great opportunity for sports fans who follow amateur and professional sports to be a part of a unique celebration.”

The event will begin with a silent auction, benefiting the Nashville Sports Council Foundation (which directly supports Amateur Athletics), at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards presentation. Individual tickets and table sponsorships are available. Individual tickets for non-Sports Council members are $60, which includes dinner and a commemorative gift.

For more information about the 7th Annual O’Charley’s Dinner of Champions, please contact the Nashville Sports Council at 615-743-3120 or visit www.nashvillesports.com

The Nashville Sports Council is a private, not-for-profit, membership-based organization of area corporations and individual sports enthusiasts. Created in 1992, the Nashville Sports Council’s mission is to positively impact the economy and quality of life of the Greater Nashville Area by attracting and promoting professional and amateur sports.