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'Good stories' honored
Brees, Roach get Iba Citizen Athlete awards.

U.S. Olympic weightlifter Melanie Roach and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees hold their Rotary Club of Tulsa Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete awards on Monday. SHERRY BROWN / Tulsa World
 
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 6/16/2009  2:18 AM
Last Modified: 6/16/2009  3:41 AM

 New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said he used to drive through Oklahoma when traveling from his hometown (Austin, Texas) to college (Purdue, located in West Lafayette, Ind.).

This time, the NFL's reigning offensive player of the year stopped long enough to pick up something for his trophy case.

Brees and Olympic weightlifter Melanie Roach were honored as 2009 recipients of the Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Awards during a Monday night ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel.

The Iba Awards, launched by the Rotary Club of Tulsa in 1994, were named in memory of former Oklahoma State and U.S. Olympic basketball coach Henry Iba, who died in 1993. Iba Awards are presented annually to male and female athletes who excel in their sport and who show, by their actions, a desire to help others.

"You hear all these bad stories about some of these professional athletes and amateur athletes, and yet you never hear all the good stories about what people do," said former Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton, Iba Awards advisory board chairman.

Sutton said the Iba Awards always have been about spotlighting good people. He said the Rotary Club has done a "marvelous job" of choosing recipients the past 16 years. Among them: Peyton Manning, Rebecca Lobo, Chris Paul, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Karl Malone, Shannon Miller, Ozzie Smith, Nancy Lopez, John Starks, Nancy Kerrigan and Dikembe Mutombo.

Brees said he was a gym rat who looked up to pro athletes when he was a child.

"When I got to college and was in the NFL, I realized if these kids are looking up to me as much as I looked up to professional athletes when I was a kid, (it made me understand) the importance of being a good role model and giving back to the community and all those things," he said.

While with the San Diego Chargers in 2003, Brees created a foundation to raise money for cancer research. The foundation's scope widened when Brees signed with the Saints only months after Hurricane Katrina blasted New Orleans.

Brees said he committed two years ago to raising $1.8 million to fund 12 projects — all targeted at helping kids — in New Orleans. Funding was completed last month.

Brees said his foundation has raised $4.5 million the past seven years. He acknowledged the economy has made fundraising difficult.

"Then when it's all said and done you see the result of it all and you see the impact that it makes, and it makes it all worth it," he said.

Roach, who placed sixth at the 2008 Olympics, said service is the ultimate reward.

"If you are having a bad day, go out and serve somebody and your reward will be ultimately better," she said.

Roach said having a son (Drew) with autism inspired her to help others. She said the Olympics gave her a platform to raise awareness about autism and to assist other families. Her $10,000 Iba Awards check will go to Autism Speaks.

"Having an opportunity to do some research and see some of the others who have won this award is so impressive," she said. "And it's such an honor to be a part of this entire experience and to know autism awareness will be increased through this process."

University of Oklahoma basketball coach Jeff Capel delivered the keynote address, and former Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Ross Porter served as master of ceremonies. Former sports broadcaster Becky Dixon presented a video tribute to OU basketball icon Wayman Tisdale, who died May 15.

Jimmie Tramel 581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

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M_Conners, Tulsa (6/16/2009 12:21:11 PM)
Drew Brees is an awesome dude.
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ProdigalTulsan, Tulsa (6/16/2009 2:41:10 PM)
As the mother of an autistic daughter, I am thrilled to see Melanie Roach getting her recognition! Keep up the good work....how about a trip to the Oklahoma legistature for a little chat with the insurance company shills there?

Way to go, Melanie & Drew!!!!!
 

 
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