RadekStepanekTheKing
Hall of Fame
Longtime friends and former on-court foes Andre Agassi and Jim Courier shared the spotlight yesterday for a trophy presentation that evoked memories of the 1991 French Open final trophy presentation ceremony, but this time rather than the pair receiving Grand Slam silverware, Courier presented Agassi with an achievement award.
Agassi, who concluded a 21-year career by taking a tearful final bow at the U.S. Open in September to a six-minute standing ovation that was a serenade to one tennis' most popular players, received the Sportsman of the Year award from Courier at the March of Dimes' 23rd annual Sports Luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan.
Race car driver Danica Patrick received the Sportswoman of the Year award. The March of Dimes Sports Luncheon celebrates the achievements of two sports industry leaders and two athletes who have made an impact on the sports community. The Sports Luncheon, which draws more than 600 people, raised nearly $500,000 last year.
Since calling it quits after the Open, Agassi has focused on family and his business interests and used his earning power and global appeal to contribute to charitable causes, children's education and the Las Vegas community through the non-profit Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which has raised more than $45 million for charity since its inception in 1994 and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, his charter school that offers education to 250 students. He took time out to share some secrets of his success with CNNMoney.com.
"For me, the past 20 years have been practice for tomorrow. Someone who's successful in any area has figured out at least two things: how to get the most out of themselves, and that attention to detail matters," Agassi told CNNMoney.com. "Having a career that lasted that long in my sport explains the sort of personality that you have to have. You have to treat it as a marathon. You have to treat it as building blocks... You have to understand who you are and figure out a way to communicate it. It might be in a different industry, but it's about what pumps the blood through your veins, what makes you excited, what pushes your buttons. And then discovering the best way to communicate that, no matter how big or small; it's what you stand for, what you believe in, and what reflects who you are."
http://www.sportsmediainc.com/tennisweek/index.cfm?func=showarticle&newsid=16269&bannerregion=
