What a sporting year it's been- Alonzo Mourning and Gary Payton earned rings, Ben Roethlisberger went from hero to patient, and we realized how many lives were touched by Kirby Puckett, Red Auerbach, Bo Schembechler and Lamar Hunt. Speaking of life, a New York City plane crash that Manhattanites initially feared was the act of a terrorist involved the accidental death of Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle. Justin Gatlin was banned for life, Jim Ryun lost his congressional seat, and Allen Iverson found a new team. And it's the year of the young quarterback, no pun intended. Let us praise those who helped make 2006 a special year.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR- Tiger Woods
AMATEUR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR- Troy Smith
COACH OF THE YEAR- Marty Schottenheimer
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT- Tiger Woods' tearful British Open embrace
TEAM OF THE YEAR- Detroit Tigers
AMATEUR TEAM OF THE YEAR- George Mason University men's basketball
WE'LL MISS YE IN 2007- Tiki Barber/Andre Aggasi
UPSET OF THE YEAR- U. of Cincinnati football over Rutgers
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, ATHLETE- Bret Favre
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, COACH- Tony LaRussa
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR- Dave Dombrowski, Detroit Tigers
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR- Jim Thome
NEW FACE OF THE YEAR- Joakim Noah
MOST INSPIRING- Barbaro
SUITE 101 ROBERTO CLEMENTE CITIZENSHIP AWARD- Warrick Dunn
OUTSTANDING CITY TEAMS- Chicago
OUTSTANDING COLLEGE- Ohio State
