The Sun’s first high school sports awards show set for May

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 | 2 a.m.

It's time to give Southern Nevada's high school teams and athletes the celebration they deserve.

And so we proudly introduce the Las Vegas Sun Standout Awards, a black-tie, formal gala modeled on ESPN's ESPY Awards but for local high school students, coaches, administrators and volunteers.

Scheduled for May 19 at the South Point, the event will look back at the past year of prep athletics, honoring the top games, moments, teams, players and more with such awards as Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Scholar Athlete of the Year and Citizen of the Year. The awards are presented by Greenspun Media Group, publisher of the Las Vegas Sun.

"High school sports help keep a community together, giving us reason to support our neighborhoods and schools, and we take pride in being part of that fabric," said Gordon Prouty, GMG group publisher. "From our high school football and basketball media days, which drew more than 200 players and coaches, to the long-running Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum, we embrace local schools and are committed to helping students excel. With the Las Vegas Sun Standout Awards, we are delighted to recognize and reward some of the best and brightest young people in our community."

A group of Clark County School District athletic directors volunteered to serve on the awards selection committee. A link is available at lasvegassun.com for nominations, which will be accepted through April.

The Sun’s Ray Brewer, who has covered high school sports in Las Vegas for nearly 20 years, will serve as host. Coverage will appear in The Sunday, GMG’s weekly news magazine, and at lasvegassun.com.

The top honor, the Hank Greenspun Achievement Award, will go to an individual who has exhibited excellence — a retiring coach, a contributor who goes above and beyond or someone who displays good sportsmanship while dealing with adversity, for example. The award is named for the founder of the Sun.

Among other highlights will be the culmination of the inaugural Greenspun Cup competition. Modeled on the Capital One Cup in college athletics, the Greenspun Cup ranks schools based on academic and athletic performance of every sport.

Finalists and their families will be invited to the show, which is open and free to the public. The seating is limited to 400.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21