INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Sports Corp will present the 2018 Pathfinder Award to former No. 1 professional tennis player Andy Roddick. The Pathfinder Award, presented annually since 1988 by Indiana Sports Corp, honors individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of America’s youth. This champion for America’s youth will be recognized at the Indiana Roof Ballroom during a luncheon on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.
“Indiana Sports Corp is thrilled to honor Andy Roddick as this year’s Pathfinder Award recipient,” said Ryan Vaughn, president of Indiana Sports Corp. “Andy’s accomplishments on the court have been well recognized, but his philanthropic work is to be admired. A pillar of our mission is to enrich and enhance youth development through sport and this award underscores the impact of advocacy from our organization and our esteemed recipient.”
Throughout his career and after retiring from professional tennis, Roddick dedicated his time and treasure to the Andy Roddick Foundation. His Austin, Texas-based non-profit creates programs for kids to participate and take the time they spend outside of the classroom and turn it into real opportunities. The Foundation creates new chances for underserved kids to grow in literacy, STEM, art, and sports––all during months and times of day when statistics show they’re typically most at risk of falling behind.
Roddick launched the Foundation at age 18, shortly after turning pro before his career skyrocketed. Over the course of Roddick’s career, he won the 2003 U.S. Open and 32 tour-level singles titles including five Masters Series titles and two Indianapolis Tennis Championships. Roddick reached four other Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon 2004, 2005 and 2009, and the US Open in 2006) and was ranked in the top 10 for nine consecutive years from 2002-2011. He was later inducted into the International Hall of Fame in July 2017, after retiring in 2012.
This is the 30th year Indiana Sports Corp has bestowed the Pathfinder Awards, presented this year by Ice Miller.
Over the years, the Pathfinder Awards have honored a tremendous list of recipients including Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Jeff and Karen Saturday, John Wooden, Larry Bird, Governor Mitch Daniels, Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, and Dick Vitale, among others.
For sponsorship information or to purchase tables for the 2018 Pathfinder Awards Luncheon, please contact Mike Karnuta at mkarnuta@indianasportscorp.org or (317)237-5004.
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Founded in 1979 as the nation’s first sports commission, Indiana Sports Corp is a not-for-profit organization focused on bringing premier sporting events to Indiana to drive economic vitality, facilitate a vibrant community with civic pride and garner positive media attention. Because of this, Indiana Sports Corp is able to provide positive, sports-related opportunities for youth in the community. For more information, please visit IndianaSportsCorp.org.