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.
Congratulations to Our Winners
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
- Jim Host
- Jim Host Sports Business Award
- Jim Host Youth Sports Award
- Bobby Flynn Volunteer of the Year Award
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.
- 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.
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