SneakerBall Gala & Auction Honors Area's Best Athletes

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September 16, 2008 - The Greater Washington Sports Alliance hosted its 5th annual SneakerBall event at the National Building Museum, that raised over $750,000 for the Alliance and its League of Charities.
 
This year’s black tie and sneaker event honored former Redskins players Brian Mitchell and Brig Owens;  Utah Jazz/ NBA Hall of Famer and DeMatha High School’s super star, Adrian Dantley.
 
Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin received the DC Sportsman of the Year Award.
 
Ovechkin signed at $124 million dollar contract extension with the Capitals earlier this year.
 
Ovechkin, who turns twenty-three today, after being asked by the evening’s co-emcee, Steve Buckhantz, if he was going to get his missing front tooth put in, said that he isn't in any hurry as he “still gets the girls.”
 
“Life is good”, Ovechkin said after being asked how it feels to be rich at such a young age.
 
Honoree Brian Mitchell, who never misses an opportunity to talk football, had this to say after accepting his award:
 
“Football is like family.”
 
“I’ll yell for the next 15 years if that’s what it takes to get the family [players] to do what they need to do.”
 
[One can’t help but wonder if this clip had anything to do with that statement.]
 
Howard University’s “Showtime Marching Band” under the direction of John E. Newson, set the tone for the evening with their stirring beats and synchronized steps, as did the on stage freestyle basketball performance of Luis “Trikz” Da Silva, Jr.
 
The evening also saw appearances by Washington athletes that included the  Mystics’ Alana Beard and Nakia Sanford; the Wizards Andre Blatche and Nick Young; and several Capitals team members.
 
A video piece featuring NFL play-by-play announcer, James ‘JB’ Brown, was played remembering former NFLPA executive director, Gene Upshaw.
 
The Greater Washington Sports Alliance supports area youth organizations that use sports to build character and values, encourages physical fitness, and enhances education.
 
The use of sneakers adds comfort, and a fashion-forward feat (no pun intended)to black-tie affairs.
 
"By the end of the night, I was glad I wore sneakers", said one attendee.
 
Former Georgetown coach, John Thompson, said "I don't usually attend events like this, but I'm glad I went.  It was good."
 
"They acknowledge the positive contributions these players have made to the community."
 
Initiatives under the GWSA contributions include the Wirefly National Marathon, the Capital Hill Volleyball Classic, the Lance Armstrong Tour of Hope, and the AT&T National PGA Tour, to name a few.
 

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