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Senior Angela Bizzarri is one of six finalists for the AAU Sullivan Award for America's Top Amateur Athlete. (photo courtesy James Galen)
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April 5, 2010
2009 AAU Sullivan Award Finalists Biographies
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois cross country and track and field senior Angela Bizzarri was selected as a finalist for the AAU Sullivan Award given to America's Top Amateur Athlete, as announced Monday by the Amateur Athletic Union. Bizzarri is one of six finalists for the award, which will be presented on April 14 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
The other five finalists are soccer player Zak Boggs of South Florida, Olympic luger Erin Hamlin, Penn State volleyball standout Megan Hodge, Army baseball player Clint Moore and ultra-marathoner Amy Palmeiro-Winters. The original top 14 nominees were selected from submissions to the AAU Sullivan Committee, and then narrowed to six finalists when America voted for their favorite athlete online at USA Today combined with ballots from National Governing Bodies', Members of the Media and D1 Sports Information Directors.
According to its website, the AAU Sullivan is known as the "Oscar" of sports awards and is older than The Heisman. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.
Notable past winners include: Wilma Rudolph (athletics), Mark Spitz (swimming), Greg Louganis (diving), Jackie Joyner-Kersey (athletics), Jim Abbott (baseball), Michael Johnson (track), Peyton Manning (football), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), Michael Phelps (swimming), Tim Tebow (football) and Shawn Johnson (gymnastics).
For more information on the AAU Sullivan award and the six finalists click HERE.
