Orlando, Fla. (February 1, 2011) – Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam has been selected as the recipient of the Saint Leo Women in Sports Achievement Award and is the guest speaker for the evening’s ceremony that will pay tribute to the 25th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Thursday, February 3, 2011.
Saint Leo, which has one of the longest-running Girls and Women in Sports Day celebrations in the state of Florida, is honoring Annika as the 16th recipient of the award as someone widely known as a pioneer with tremendous vision, passion and enthusiasm for the sport of women’s golf.
On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, thousands of sports educators, coaches, athletic directors, recreation directors, association members, sponsors, students, and parents across the country will show their support of the Day and of this year’s theme, “Play, Believe, Achieve.” St. Leo, a private university located 35 miles northeast of Tampa, Fla., has planned events to honor all girls and women with dreams, both at Saint Leo University and abroad. Through various scholarships and awards they honor and thank those who have so generously offered them guidance in their quest for achievement.
“I am truly honored to receive this award,” said Annika. “I had the opportunity to play sports and realize my dreams. Now I hope to inspire thousands of other young women to do the same.”
In recognizing Annika, the Lions are honoring one of the most dominant players in the history of golf. Throughout her storied career, she has rewritten the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, won countless awards and events, and brought unprecedented attention to women’s golf. Her success has changed how women’s golf is played, covered and viewed, and in her rise to mainstream athlete and celebrity, she has had a positive impact on all women’s sports.
Since walking away after 89 worldwide career wins, including 72 LPGA Tour titles and 10 major championships, she has kept busy with various business ventures, including the ANNIKA Academy near her Orlando home and the ANNIKA Foundation. The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.
A full day of events is scheduled during Annika’s trip to Saint Leo. She will first visit Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club where she will lead the golfers in a series of SPARK exercises and conduct a golf clinic for local junior golfers of The First Tee and other local teams. Annika is the national spokesperson for SPARK, the leading physical education program for school and after-school settings in the U.S. The evening events will begin with a 6:00 p.m. reception followed by a dinner and awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Both events will take place in the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
About the ANNIKA Foundation
The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. The Foundation has partnered with several key organizations to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children, including SPARK, the leading physical education program for schools; Florida Hospital for Children, supporting its Healthy 100 Kids initiative; and The First Tee, developing the Nine Healthy Habits curriculum for children. The Foundation annually conducts three major golf events for aspiring junior girls, including the ANNIKA Invitational at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Fla., the award-winning American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) event; the ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills in China for top Asian juniors; and the ANNIKA Cup, a team event for the top juniors in Sweden. The Foundation awards SPARK grants to schools, is a financial supporter of Healthy 100 Kids, and has endowed an ACE scholarship with the AJGA. Other key Foundation initiatives include ANNIKA Junior Day, the ANNIKA Inspiration Award and scholarships for aspiring Swedish juniors. More information about the ANNIKA Foundation can be found at www.annikafoundation.org.
Contact:
Elizabeth McCollum
Brener Zwikel & Associates for ANNIKA Foundation
813-421-0550
elizabethm@bzapr.com
John Semeraro
St. Leo University
352-588-8223
john.semeraro@saintleo.edu.
