ESPY Awards
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Image:Espyaward.jpg The ESPY Awards is an annual televised event created by the ESPN and were first awarded in 1993. "ESPY" is an acronym, meaning "Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly."
Similar in format to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards, the ESPY Awards recognize outstanding individual and team achievements and memorable performances in the world of sports during the previous year. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales to the event goes to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a charity founded by the late Jim Valvano to find a cure for cancer. Valvano was the head coach of the North Carolina State University Wolfpack, who upset the heavily favored University of Houston Cougars in the in 1983 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship game. In 1992, Valvano, who had become a broadcaster after leaving North Carolina State, was diagnosed with a form of cancer called Metastatic Adenocarcinoma and was told he had a year to live. He fought the disease bravely and continued working as long as he could. During the first ESPY Awards telecast on March 3, 1993, "Jimmy V," as he was affectionately known, announced the formation of the V Foundation. He passed away on April 28, 1993.
From their inception until 2004, winners were chosen both by fans, experts, or ESPN personalities in each particular category. However, beginning with the 2005 ceremonies, fans popularly voted for all the winners via the Internet. Categories include Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Best Coach/Manager, Team of the Year, Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, Best Sports Movie, Best Moment, and Comeback Athlete of the Year.
Additionally, the Arthur Ashe Courage Award is presented to a single sports figure who overcame adversity or contributed to humanity in a way that transcended sports.
Actor Matthew Perry (2005) and comedian Jamie Foxx (2004) are recent hosts.
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