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| Michelle Kwan with her gold medal at the 2004 State Farm U.S. Championships Photo by Paul Harvath |
(12/30/04) - The United States Sports Academy, in conjunction with USA Today, recently announced the results of its 2004 athlete of the year voting, which was conducted online from Dec. 1 through Dec. 24. Michelle Kwan was voted first runner-up behind 2004 Olympic gold medalist, gymnast Carly Patterson. Kwan received more votes than three other 2004 Olympians, Natalie Coughlin (swimming), Lisa Fernandez (softball) and Diana Taurasi (basketball), as well as 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova.
Tens of thousands of people from all around the globe participated in the voting.
"The 2004 Athlete of the Year ballot included a wide spectrum of athletes from several different sports and countries," said Gene Policinski, executive director of the First Amendment Center and chairman of the academy's balloting committee. "Thanks to modern technology, fans from around the world were able to participate and vote for their favorite male and female athlete, ultimately determining the best of the best."
The United States Sports Academy is an independent, nonprofit institution offering sports-specific programs to students, teachers and administrators around the world. The academy has a special mission to serve the sports industry as a resource in instruction, research and other vital sports-related services. It is the only freestanding institution of higher learning in the United States offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in sports science and sports management, in addition to its extensive certification programs.
Since 1984, the United States Sports Academy has recognized outstanding athletes in all sports through its Awards of Sport program. The academy presents awards each year to pay tribute to those who have made significant contributions to sports. These awards have expanded over the years to honor exemplary achievement in coaching, all-around athletic performance and the top professional athletes of the year.
For more information please visit www.ussa.edu.
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