Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Other Accomplished Athletes to be honored at 34th Annual Sports Headliner Banquet
Mike Gundy, OSU Head Football Coach, David Smith, OSU Cross Country Coach, and All-American Defensive Lineman, Gerald McCoy, among others, are named top winners of the March of Dimes Sports Headliner Awards Banquet

OKLAHOMA CITY – The March of Dimes will honor Oklahoma’s outstanding athletes at the 34th Annual Sports Headliner Banquet, April 8th at 7 p.m. at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City. Each year the March of Dimes honors athletes and coaches that have made an impact on Oklahoma through achievement and recognition. This year’s winners are among Oklahoma’s finest, including Oklahoma City Thunder player and NBA All-Star, Kevin Durant. The Thunder organization will also be honored with the March of Dimes’ Community Spirit Award.

Durant, the second-leading scorer in the NBA has been selected as this year’s Sports Headliner. His 29 consecutive games of scoring 25 points or more is a franchise record and the longest streak since Michael Jordan’s 40 games in 1986-87.

OSU Football Head Coach, Mike Gundy and OSU Cross Country Head Coach, David Smith will share the award for this year’s Headliner Special. A Special Recognition Award will be given to Wayman Tisdale, who passed away May 15, 2009. This award will honor his many accomplishments including: three time All-American basketball player at OU, and 2nd overall in ’85 NBA draft. Wife Regina and son Wayman Tisdale Jr. will accept the award on his behalf. The family of Leodis Robinson will be accepting the Special Recognition Award for his work in creating the Millwood Football Program and making it into a state championship contender in Class 2A football. He passed away on November 16, 2009.

The March of Dimes will also honor other talented Oklahoma athletes, with Honoree Awards (in no particular order):

• OSU Men’s Cross Country Team and German Fernandez
• OCU Women’s Wrestling Team
• Shattuck High School Football Team
• Gerald McCoy
• Rick Fowler
• Arnau Bruges
• Wes Welker Foundation

As the recipient of the Community Spirit Award, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be recognized for its tireless efforts to give back to the community. The organization continues to find new and innovative ways to enrich the quality of life in Oklahoma, especially among children in the areas of education and physical fitness.

The April 8th event will begin with a special reception for media and sponsors at 6 p.m. followed by the awards dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available. For more information, please contact the March of Dimes at (405) 943-1025 or MarchofDimes.com/Oklahoma

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
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