The Karolyi Ranch became an official training center for USA Gymnastics in 2011. The coaching duo and Scott Hamilton have won numerous awards for their work. Photo: FloGymnastics.
Investment is sometimes perceived as a risky business. Success, profit, and sustained growth are key awards of a winning approach to business.
A similar strategy is required to excel in sports. Thom Weisel, co-chairman of Stifel Financial Corporation, is a good example of how these worlds sometimes come together.
Weisel has been a renowned supporter of the U. S. Ski Team’s Olympic athletes. Weisel’s long-term support, since 1977, was recognized in 2011 when he was awarded the United States Olympic Foundation’s George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award.
The Steinbrenner Award is presented to honor members of the Olympic and Paralympic family who use their skills in management, organization, or improved opportunities for competition to benefit our nation’s athletes. Recipients of this award must display advanced skills in ethical conduct, leadership, dedication, and responsibility over a long period of time.
The United States Olympic Endowment (USOE) was created in 1984 after the Los Angeles Olympic Games to support U. S. Olympic and Paralympic sport. It’s a nonprofit organization whose goal is to support the United States Olympic Committee and its member organizations.
In 2014 the USOE awarded gymnastic coaches Martha and Bela Karolyi and Olympic figure skating champion Scott Hamilton with the George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award.
The Karolyis are legendary gymnastic coaches, the most successful coaching team in the history of gymnastics. They have created 28 Olympians, nine Olympic champions, 15 world champions, and six national champions.
Scott Hamilton is a world famous figure skater. He has devoted his post competition career to provided commentary for sporting events. He has worked tirelessly as a volunteer for a variety of humanitarian causes and to increase cancer awareness. Hamilton has won and Emmy award for his sports commentary and survived brain cancer.
These exemplary individuals are all deserving of the prestigious Steinbrenner Award for their support for their respective sports.
