Seven-time Olympic medalist and Oklahoma icon Shannon Miller will be the recipient of the 2024 Abe Lemons/Paul Hansen Award for Sports Excellence, to be given at the OCU Sports Spectacular on April 3.
The event will take place at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and feature a silent and live auction, dinner, and presentation of the award to Miller.
The Lemons/Hansen Award is given each year to an Oklahoman who, like coaches Abe Lemons and Paul Hansen, have significantly contributed to the growth of sports in Oklahoma. Miller joins a distinguished group of past winners, including Clay Bennett, Barry Switzer, Bobby Murcer, Bill Self, Sam Presti and Scott Verplank, among others.
Miller competed in two Olympic games (1992, 1996) and was the first U.S. gymnast to win back-to-back World All-Around titles. Her tally of five medals at the 1992 Olympics was the most won by a U.S. athlete in any sport and was followed up by the 1996 women's gymnastics team, the "Magnificent Seven," winning the country's first-ever team gold medal in the sport. Miller was also America's first-ever gold medalist on the balance beam.
"We are delighted to have a true Oklahoma legend as our Abe Lemons/Paul Hansen award recipient," said OCU Director of Athletics Corey Bray. "The list of honorees for this prestigious award is a who's-who not only in Oklahoma, but the entire sports world. Shannon Miller is among the very best who have been selected, and we are so appreciative of what she has done for our state."
As OCU Athletics' largest annual fundraising event, the Sports Spectacular has provided nearly $3 million in support of the athletics department and its 22 varsity teams.
Eight-person tables can be purchased for the Sports Spectacular starting at $1,000, and individual tickets are $125. There are also two sponsorship levels available at $1,500 and $2,500, which provide a table and several opportunities to promote a business or individual in event materials. Both sponsorship levels also provide attendance to a VIP reception with Miller.
For more information and registration, please visit the event page at ocusports.com. Please direct all questions about the 2024 Sports Spectacular to Chris Maxon, associate athletic director for external affairs, at [email protected] or 405-208-5431.
