Pride of Alaska Awards - Female

Pride of Alaska Award -- For Consistent Excellence in Athletic Competition (female).  For  a female athlete or athletes, team or coach who have not only excelled in sports in the past year or recent years, but who have done so with integrity and sportsmanship so as to be a positive role model for others.

 

2012

University of Alaska, Anchorage Women’s Basketball Team
Over the past five years under Coach Tim Moser, the UAA Women have posted a record of 160 wins and 31 losses.  During this period the team has a 9-1 record against D-1 teams.  All five years they have advanced to the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney and they have won four Great Alaska Shootout titles against D-1 teams, all while exhibiting excellence in Integrity, Sportsmanship and Scholarship.

 

2013
Nunaka Valley Girls Softball Team
With a mantra of “unfinished business” the Nunaka Valley Girls Softball Team won the first-ever World Series crown by an Alaska team of any age group or gender. After finishing fourth in the 2011 World Series, many of the 12 to 14 year old players returned to claim the world championship with a 6-2 win over a powerhouse team from Victoria, British Columbia. The close-knit group used strong pitching and scrappy defense to win the international tournament and become celebrities in Alaska.

 

Pride of Alaska Awards - Male

Pride of Alaska Award --For Consistent Excellence in Athletic Competition (male).  For  a male athlete or athletes, team or coach who have not only excelled in sports in the past year or recent years, but who have done so with integrity and sportsmanship so as to be a positive role model for others.

 

2012
The Alaska Aces
Since joining the ECHL in 2003 the Alaska Aces hockey team has had unprecedented success and now owns the highest winning percentage in league history. In 2006 the Aces won their first ever Kelly Cup and brought home the first ever professional championship to the state of Alaska. In 2011 the club earned their second title and has continued its outstanding play into 2012, all while continuing to be active in the community.

 

2013
Mario Chalmers
Mario Chalmers became the first Alaskan to win an NBA Championship in 2012. As a starter for the Miami Heat, Chalmers was a steady contributor throughout the season but saved his biggest moments for the biggest games, including Game 4 of the Finals when Chalmers scored 25 points and sealed the game with a last-minute basket. Chalmers was runner-up in the 2012 3-point shooting contest at the NBA All-Star Game and recently tied a club record with 10 threes in one game. 

 

Trajan Langdon Award 

Trajan Langdon Award--For Leadership, Sportsmanship and Inspiration.  For a person or group of people who have demonstrated leadership, integrity and sportsmanship during the past year in such a way as to positively influence and inspire others to be better sportsmen or sportswomen.

 

2012
Chugiak High School Football Team
The 2011 Chugiak High Football Team was on the verge of qualifying for the State Championship Playoffs when a school district error was discovered that resulted in a player being declared ineligible.  The result was a forfeit of all their games to date and elimination from the possibility of being in the playoffs, a heartbreaking decision for the team. The team brought pride to their community as they  embraced the player and presented their case to the school board with Clarity, Dignity and Sportsmanship, eventually losing the appeal.

 

2013
Paul Tandy
Paul Tandy, sophomore at West Anchorage High School, decided to join the wrestling team during the 2011-12 school year despite the challenge of being blind. A 4.0 student in the classroom, Tandy progressed quickly from novice to a respected competitor, ultimately winning five matches during his first season. He earned the respect and admiration of his teammates for his work ethic, positive attitude and courage.


Joe Floyd Award

Joe Floyd Award--For Significant and Lasting Contribution to Alaska through Sports.  For a person or group of people who have, over a period of years, made a significant and lasting contribution to sports in Alaska. This contribution could be for a particular sport, for multiple sports, for a particular town or area and for participants or spectators. This may be given each year but is for achievement over multiple years with priority given to more recent years.

 

2012
Steve Nerland and Don Winchester
Together and individually, Steve Nerland and Don Winchester have,  over the past 25 years, made significant contributions to Alaska through sports.  Together they were the driving force behind the successful effort to obtain funding to design and build a new sports arena at UAA.  Individually they lead numerous efforts including building the Dimond High Football Stadium, upgrading the Mulcahy Baseball Park and developing the South Anchorage Baseball Parks.

 

2013
Don Dennis
Since Don Dennis took over as general manager of the Alaska Goldpanners in 1967 the club has become the most successful baseball team in Alaska history. Dennis was also instrumental in the development and growth of the Alaska Baseball League. Now the team’s chief operating officer, he recently guided the Goldpanners through a financial crises and the team is once again on stable footing. Dennis continues to be highly regarded as a mentor and business leader in the community.

 

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