The Bluegrass Sports Awards has become a must attend event on the sports calendar in Central Kentucky. In it’s fifth year the Bluegrass Sports Awards recognizes those who have achieved the highest level of success in the Sports Media and Sports Business.

An event created to celebrate what sports does for our community, it is highlighted by the Tom Hammond Awards, the Jim Host Awards and the Lexington Herald-Leader Sports Figure of the Year Award.

Proceeds benefit the BSC and its efforts to grow the economic impact of sports in central Kentucky.

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Congratulations to Our Winners

Josh Allen

2018 Sports Figure of the Year Award

Verne Lundquist

Tom Hammond Sports Media Award

WinStar Farm

Jim Host Sports Business Award

Tom Leach

Tom Hammond Kentucky Sports Media

Sydney McLaughlin

Jim Host Youth Sports Award

Committee of 101

Bobby Flynn Volunteer of the Year Award

Tom Hammond

Established in 2012 at the inaugural Bluegrass Sports Awards, The Tom Hammond Awards consist of two separate distinctions annually – the Tom Hammond Sports Media Award and the Tom Hammond Kentucky Sports Media Award.

Hammond, a Lexington native, has risen to the top of his profession, while staying dedicated to his home state and to helping others. In 2012, he received the Sports Media Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bluegrass Sports Commission.

Nominees will meet or exceed the following criteria to be considered:

  • Achieved great success in the field of sports media
  • Made significant differences in the community in which they live
  • Have made significant contributions to the lives of others through their work, volunteerism and a desire to help others
  • Made an impact, either directly or indirectly, on the lives of Kentuckians

Past Winners

2012 Tom Hammond

2013 Dick Enberg

2014 Marty Brennaman

2015 Cris Collinsworth

2016 Larry Conley

2017 Larry Collmus

2018 John Rooney

2019 Verne Lundquist

Media voters are asked to nominate individuals that meet or exceed the following criteria:

The individual must:

  • Have a professional career predominantly in sports media
  • Conduct himself/herself professionally in all aspects of their work
  • Make significant contributions in the communities in which they live
  • Make a direct  impact on the lives of Kentuckians, either locally, regionally or statewide

Past Winners

2013 Larry Vaught

2014 Dick Gabriel

2015 Jennie Rees

2016 Mike Battaglia, Donna Barton Brothers and Kenny Rice

2017 Billy Reed

2018 Jerry Tipton

2019 Tom Leach

Jim Host

Established in 2012 at the inaugural Bluegrass Sports Awards, the Jim Host Awards consist of two separate distinctions – the Sports Business Award and the Youth Sports Award.

Jim Host, an Ashland native, rose to the highest ranks of the sports marketing profession by building one of the top collegiate sports marketing companies in the country – HOST Communications. Always maintaining his corporate headquarters in Lexington, Host dedicated himself not only to his company, but also to serving others in a variety of ways.

Among his numerous honors, Host received the Sports Business Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bluegrass Sports Commission.

Nominees for the Jim Host Sports Business Award will be selected and voted on by the Bluegrass Sports Awards Committee.
 
Nominees will meet or exceed the following criteria to be considered:
  • Achieved great success in the field of sports business
  • Conducted their business either in, or from, Kentucky
  • Have made significant contributions to the lives of others through their work, volunteerism and a desire to help others
  • Their businesses made, or make, an impact, either directly or indirectly, on the lives of Kentuckians

Past Winners

2012 Jerry Carroll

2013 Ted Bassett

2014 Alan Stein

2015 Mitch Barnhart

2016 Bill Farish

2017 Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey

2018 Lexington Center Corporation

2019 WinStar Farm

Nominees for the Jim Host Youth Sports Award are solicited through a statewide public nomination process.

Nominees meet or exceed the following criteria:

  • Have dedicated themselves to enhancing the lives of Kentucky youths through sports, whether as a volunteer or a job, by coaching, administering or otherwise assisting sports programs  for Kentucky youths
  • Conduct himself/herself professionally in all aspects of their work
  • Make significant contributions in the communities in which they live
  • Make a direct  impact on the lives of Kentuckians

Past Winners

2012 Martha Layne Collins

2013 Louis Stout

2014 Dave Kerchner

2015 Don Adkins

2016 Mike Fields

2017 Don Lane

2018 KHSAA

2019 Sydney McLaughlin

Nominees for the Bobby Flynn Volunteer of the Year Award are solicited through a statewide public nomination process.

Nominees meet or exceed the following criteria:

  • Have given unselfishly of their time and work ethic bettering the Commonwealth by their contributions.
  • Have used sports as the vehicle to make great contributions to the Commonwealth.
  • Make a direct  impact on the lives of Kentuckians

Past Winners

2015 Bobby Flynn

2016 Van Florence

2017 Kim Sweazy

2018 Stewart Perry

2019 Committee of 101

A Kentucky tradition for more than 30 years, the annual Lexington Herald-Leader “Sports Figure of the Year Award” has recognized the efforts of Kentucky sports stars for their yearly achievements. The winner will be announced live at the Bluegrass Sports Awards at the Lexington Convention Center’s Bluegrass Ballroom.

The Herald-Leader has traditionally published the results of its annual poll, as voted upon by media members from across state. Any athlete, coach or sports administrator from Kentucky is eligible, or if he/she played for a college in the state.

2018    Josh Allen
2017    Justin Thomas
2016    Lamar Jackson
2015    American Pharoah
2014    AJ Reed
2013    Rick Pitino
2012    Anthony Davis
2011    Kenneth Faried
2010   John Wall
2009   John Calipari
2008   Kenny Perry
2007   Tyson Gay
2006   Brandon Webb
2005   Shaun Alexander
2004   Stefan LeFors
2003   Kenny Perry
2002   Valley Sports
2001   Eddie Eviston
2000   John L. Smith
1999    James Whalen Jr.
1998    Tubby Smith
1997    Tim Couch
1996    Rick Pitino

1995    Tim Couch
1994    Jenny Hansen
1993    Jamal Mashburn
1992    The Unforgettables
1991    Cawood Ledford
1990    Rick Pitino
1989    David Roselle
1988    Richie Farmer
1987    Phil Simms
1986    Denny Crum
1985    Kenny Walker
1984    Mary T. Meagher
1983    Jerry Claiborne
1982    Roy Kidd
1981    Roy Kidd

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2016 Photo Gallery