Press Release: USOC Heisman Humanitarian

TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 align=right border=0>TBODY>TR>TD>TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=150 border=0>TBODY>TR>TD colSpan=2>IMG src="/_images/articles/OldStories/JoeyCheek.jpg">/TD>/TR>TR>TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px">SPAN class=caption>B>/B>/SPAN>/TD>TD width=12> /TD>/TR>/TBODY>/TABLE>/TD>/TR>/TBODY>/TABLE>B>Inaugural Heisman Trophy Humanitarian Award Presented to U.S. Olympic Speedskater Joey Cheek/B>BR>BR>Colorado Springs, Colo. & New York, N.Y. - The Heisman Trophy Trust and United States Olympic Committee announced today that two-time Olympian and 2006 Olympic gold and silver medalist Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) has been named the recipient of the inaugural Heisman Humanitarian Award. Cheek will be presented with the award on Dec. 11 at the Heisman Awards Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in New York, N.Y. in conjunction with the award presentation of the 72nd Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy.BR>BR>After winning gold in the 500m and a silver in the 1000m in long track speedskating at the XX Olympic Winter Games in February 2006, Cheek selflessly donated his $40,000 in performance earnings ($25,000 for gold and $15,000 for silver) to the organization, Right To Play, earmarked for Darfurian refugees. Right To Play is a non-governmental humanitarian organization that uses sport and play to aid in the development of children in disadvantaged areas of the world. BR>BR>"We are both proud and pleased to name Joey Cheek the recipient of the first Heisman Humanitarian Award, and to make a $25,000 contribution in Joey's name to Right to Play. This contribution will be specifically earmarked to assist Joey's mission," said William Dockery, President of The Heisman Trophy Trust. "The Heisman feels a sense of pride and satisfaction for the role it has recently assumed in providing opportunities to underserved and underrepresented youth. One Hundred (100%) percent of the net proceeds from the Trust's endeavors are dedicated to charitable purposes. The Heisman goal is to symbolize, and thereby encourage, a sense of community responsibility and service to those less fortunate and/or afflicted."BR>BR>Cheek's generosity inspired others to contribute thousands of dollars to the organization. As a result of his humanitarianism and exemplary behavior, he was elected by his peers to carry the American flag during the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. His actions and challenge to corporations around the globe to provide assistance has generated more than $500,000 for Darfur. Cheek has gone on to form his own non-profit organization, 'Where Will We Be?' (www.wherewillwebe.org), whose mission is to assist those in the Darfur region of Sudan. BR>BR>"The U.S. Olympic Committee is extremely proud of Joey and his exemplary acts to better the lives of others," said U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr. "He is a shining example of an athlete that utilizes his status as an Olympian to affect positive change through the promotion of the Olympic Ideals and the mission of the Olympic Movement. His generosity and fortitude are worthy of being named the first recipient of this prestigious award."BR>BR>"Every time I receive a blessing, I look at it as an incredible opportunity to help someone else. This award is a huge honor, but even more important is the chance it gives me to speak out for those with no voice. And even though I am a speedskater, and this is a humanitarian award, I cannot lie -- when I heard I would be receiving it -- I did some Heisman poses around my living room," said Cheek.BR>BR>In addition to his humanitarian work with Where Will We Be? and Right To Play, Cheek also works with the Save Darfur Coalition, a group which raises public awareness about the sufferings of the two million people in Darfur. An outspoken leader, Cheek has participated in major international events including the 2006 Clinton Global Initiative and the 2006 World AIDS conference. He has been a guest speaker at the United Nations, numerous universities across the country and at major public rallies in both Washington D.C. and New York City. BR>BR>A three-time Olympic medalist (2002/bronze, 2006/gold and silver) and reigning World Champion, Cheek has been named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of the Year and is a finalist for Sports Illustrated's 2006 Sportsman of the Year. He was the recipient of the 2006 DHL U.S. Olympic Spirit Award, 2006 Eric Heiden Skater of the Year Award and the 2006 National Sportsmanship Award. Cheek's humanitarian efforts to resolve the Darfur conflict will be chronicled in an upcoming television series by MTV Network's mtvU. He will attend Princeton University to study economics in the fall of 2007. BR>BR>The Heisman Trophy Trust assumed the stewardship of The Heisman Trophy and its operation due to the unfortunate demise of the Downtown Athletic Club post 9/11. The Trust is responsible for the preservation, protection, enhancement and integrity of the trophy. The stewardship of the Heisman Trophy by the Trust increases exponentially the ability of the Heisman to contribute to charitable purposes. For more information about The Heisman or for tickets to the awards dinner please visit www.Heisman.com.BR>BR>B>I>As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.BR>/I>/B>