Michigan State University Athletics
Miller Finalist For Sullivan Award
1/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 17, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State goaltender Ryan Miller (East Lansing, Mich.) is one of 14 finalists for the 2001 Sullivan Award. The honor is presented annually by the Amateur Athletic Union to the top amateur athlete in the United States.
"I feel very fortunate and flattered to just be nominated," said Miller. "It's a very prestigious award and I'll try to live up to the standards they've set."
Other finalists are Tony Azevedo (water polo), Natalie Coughlin (swimming), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), Matt Lindland (wrestling), Stephen Lopez (taekwon-do), Toccara Montgomery (wrestling), Brandon Paulson (wrestling), Mark Prior (baseball), Jason Reed (rowing), Sean Townsend (gymnastics), Allen Webb (track and field), Angela Williams (track and field) and Roy Williams (football).
The Sullivan Award has been presented each year since 1930, when golfer Bobby Jones was its first recipient. Other notable winners include Florence Griffith Joyner, Carl Lewis, Peyton Manning, Mark Spitz and Bill Walton. Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner earned the Sullivan Award last year. The honor has never been bestowed upon a hockey player.
The AAU will announce a group of five second-round finalists in March. The winner will be revealed at an awards banquet at the New York Athletic Club in April.
