Feb. 22, 2008

Jeff Lerg for Hobey Website

East Lansing, Mich. - Hockey's Jeff Lerg has been named one of 11 finalists for the James E Sullivan Memorial Award. Presented annually since 1930 by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, and sportsmanship, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishment and honors those who have leadership skill and strong character which is evident in his/her lifestyle as a whole.

Fan voting on USAToday's website will account for one-third of the total vote, and runs through March 10. The winner will be honored April 1 in New York City at the New York Athletic Club.

Notable recent winners of the award include Peyton Manning, JJ Reddick, Michael Phelps, Michelle Kwan, and Chamique Holdsclaw. More information on this award, along with the complete list of winners, can be found on the AAU website.

Earlier this week, Lerg was named 'Michigan's Best' - the state's top sports figure for 2007 - by readers of the Detroit Free Press, beating out pro athletes Magglio Ordonez, Curtis Granderson, and Justin Verlander of the Tigers, Niklas Lidstrom of the Red Wings, and Chauncey Billups of the Pistons.