Larry Bird Character Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010-11 Larry Bird Character Award.

The Larry Bird Character Award serves as one of the community outreach programs of the Indiana Pacers, and is determined by criteria that are representative of the qualities of NBA legend Larry Bird, including academic excellence, character, sportsmanship and community service.  Nominees must be a senior in high school and a member of their boys or girls high school varsity basketball team.  Nominations must be submitted on the official nomination form and approved by a school administrator to be considered.

The top five male and female finalists will receive (4) tickets to an Indiana Pacers home game and will be recognized during a special on-court presentation.  In addition, recipients will receive a commemorative photo, a $100 Kroger gift card, and a finalist plaque for their achievement.

Overall winners will receive a Larry Bird Character Award trophy and a $2,500 scholarship from Kroger to an accredited college of their choice.

Download the Nomination Form here.
Pacers - Larry Bird Character Award

 

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  2009-10

April 10, 2010

PACERS ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF LARRY BIRD CHARACTER AWARD
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers, in conjunction with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), Dick’s Sporting Goods, and The Indianapolis Star have selected the Larry Bird Character Award finalists and scholarship winners.

The Larry Bird Character Award serves as one of the community outreach programs of the Pacers, and is determined by criteria that are representative of the qualities of NBA Legend Larry Bird, including academic excellence, character, sportsmanship and community service.  Nominees must be a senior in high school and a member of their boys or girls high school varsity basketball team. 

Winners were chosen by a selection committee made up of representatives from the Pacers, the NFHS, the IHSAA, Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Indianapolis Star.  These winners are the best of the eligible nominations submitted, based upon the nominee’s academic achievement and community service. A complete set of rules can be obtained by logging on to Pacers.com.  As part of the Larry Bird Character Award, The Indianapolis Star published select nominees each week from December 2009 – March 2010.

The finalists and winners were recognized at halftime of the Pacers’ game against New Jersey on April 10.  The ten finalists receive a commemorative photo and finalist plaque. The two overall winners receive a trophy and a $1000 college scholarship courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The five Female finalists are as follows:
            Shanlynn Bias – Griffith High School
            Victoria Brocksmith – Rivet High School
            Renee Frantz – Fremont High School
            Casey Hueni – Bremen High School
            Whitney Malin – Wood Memorial High School

The five Male finalists are as follows:
            Landon Harner – Springs Valley High School
            Nathan Hendershot – Pendleton Heights High School
            Brayden Merrell – Northwestern High School
            Tyler Wampler – West Vigo High School
            Daniel Wodicka – West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School

The Scholarship Winners are as follows:
            Female – Casey Hueni – Bremen High School
            Male – Brayden Merrell – Northwestern High School