|
For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-345-5121
bshulman@stlsports.org
WEBSTER GROVES AND KIRKWOOD TO TAKE PART IN SPECIAL PREGAME HANDSHAKE PRIOR TO ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY GAME
GESTURE IS PART OF ST. LOUIS SPORTS COMMISSION'S REGION-WIDE SPORTSMANSHIP INITIATIVE
ST. LOUIS – Nov. 25, 2009 – The Webster Groves Statesmen and the Kirkwood Pioneers begin a new tradition tomorrow when the two teams shake hands at midfield before their annual Thanksgiving Day game.
The gesture is connected to the St. Louis Sports Commission’s Sportsmanship Initiative, which is encouraging all high school and youth leagues in the area to institute a pregame handshake between teams. Unique to St. Louis, the handshake sets a positive tone prior to each game and reinforces a message of respect for the game and the competition. The Sports Commission approached Webster Groves and Kirkwood, and both schools agreed to participate.
“We salute and thank Webster Groves and Kirkwood for providing us a high-profile platform to promote sportsmanship and this initiative in particular,” said Solomon Alexander, manager of the Sports Commission’s Sports Foundation and Sportsmanship Initiative. “This gesture allows us to highlight the importance of sportsmanship and values such as respect and civility.”
The annual Turkey Day game kicks off at noon at Kirkwood High School (801 W. Essex Ave.) and the midfield handshake takes place at approximately 11:45 a.m.
The Sportsmanship Initiative is a series of programs implemented by the Sports Commission to make St. Louis a model community for good sportsmanship and to create more positive environments for kids to play sports so they will remain active and lead healthier, happier lives. The organization reaches out to coaches, parents, athletes and fans to make youth sports more enjoyable and to reinforce the values of sportsmanship – respect, selflessness, civility, integrity, and fair play – at all levels. This past Saturday, the Sports Commission hosted the annual AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards, which recognized the most remarkable examples of sportsmanship.
For more information on the Sports Commission’s Sportsmanship Initiative, visit www.stlsportsmanship.org.
The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately funded nonprofit organization that benefits St. Louis through sports.
Its mission is to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.
|
