Humanitarian efforts and character in athletics were saluted at this year's 2010 induction into the World Sport Humanitarian Hall of Fame Gala June 12 at Boise State University's Stueckle Sky Center.
Legendary baseball great George Herman "Babe" Ruth and two-time Olympian speed skater Joey Cheek were the inductees for the 2010 class.
In addition, three distinguished awards were presented including this year's Idaho Sports Humanitarian Award to Ketchum's Dick Fosbury, the lanky 6-5 local engineer.
Former basketball player Jim Marsh received the Founders Humanitarian Award. Bobbi and Lute Olson were awarded the Collegiate Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award. Lute Olson is the former University of Arizona men's basketball coach.
Major league baseball slugger Ruth was recognized not so much for his tremendous impact on the game, but for his influence on raising the spirit and hopes of children and young people during his career. Ruth was represented at the induction ceremony by his 93-year-old daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens, and his great-grandson, Brent Stevens.
Cheek was honored by the HOF in large part for his work with Team Darfur—a coalition of athletes committed to helping end the crisis in Darfur, Africa. Along with his humanitarian work, Cheek is an incoming senior at Princeton University and is a highly accomplished speed skater.
Here is further information about the award recipients:
Lute Olson—Led the University of Arizona to its first and only NCAA basketball title in 1997. He is a member of the NCAA Hall of Fame.
Jim Marsh—Former University of Southern California and Portland Trail Blazer Basketball player. He has suffered with Parkinson's Disease for about seven years and has been an inspiration for his work and character. Marsh, 63, continues to coach AAU and Friends of Hoops inspiring young men with basketball aspirations and inner city opportunities.
Here is a biography of Fosbury, 63, a native of Portland, Ore., that was presented by Idaho Sports Humanitarian Award officials for the fete:
"Dick Fosbury is proof that necessity is the mother of invention.
"When you listen to Dick describe how he came upon a totally different style of high jumping than had ever produced success in the sport, you wonder why he didn't just move to a different sport.
"After early high school failures in Medford, Ore. using traditional straddle and scissor methods, Dick's track coach allowed him to continue developing his own personal style of jump. The technique gained popularity as the "Fosbury Flop" when a Medford newspaper said that Dick looked like a, "fish flopping in a boat."
"In 1968, at the Mexico City Olympic Games the "Flop" and Dick earned the attention of the world with a gold medal and Olympic record jump of 7 feet and 4.25 inches.
"Dick was the only jumper of those games who employed that technique. Four short years later at the Munich Olympic Games, 28 of the 40 jumpers were using the "Flop." Of the 36 Olympic high jump medalists from 1972 through 2000, 34 used Dick's invention.
"Dick Fosbury has remained close to the Olympic movement and the Olympic spirit. He is the Honorary Chair of the Simplot Games which is a premier high school indoor track meet held in Pocatello, Idaho now celebrating its 32nd year.
"While Dick's title is honorary, he host events, works the media and sponsors to enhance the reputation and reach of an event which attracts nearly 2,000 competitors from around North America.
"Dick is also the elected President of the World Olympians Association. Its mission is to continue to link together Olympic athletes from around the world in work that promotes the Olympic movement, promote sport as a bridge to better international relations and as a tool to help children reach their full potential.
"Fosbury is a 1972 graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in engineering. He is co-owner of Galena Engineering in Ketchum, where has lived since 1977 with his wife Robin."
Posing at the 2010 World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame induction ceremony June 12 in Boise are, from left, ceremony host Heather Cox of ESPN, Humanitarian Hall of Fame president Rick Frisch, 2010 award recipient Dick Fosbury of Ketchum, J.R. Simplot communications director Rick Phillips and Willie Banks, the three-time Olympian and World triple jump record holder. Photo by
