May 30, 2002

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Florida Sports Awards recently announced the athletes selected as Hometown Heroes for 2002 and the Orlando Miracle's Brooke Wyckoff, a former Florida State Seminole, was one of the 17 athletes recognized on the list. Each year, the Jaspers honor individuals from each professional team and tour who made significant contributions to youth in his or her community, consistent with the Florida Sports Awards mission to benefit youth charities throughout the state of Florida. Each athlete is honored as a Hometown Hero and will receive recognition during the live show, Saturday, June 8. One of these athletes will receive the Jasper for Hometown Hero of the Year during the live broadcast for their performance in the community.

"Each of these athletes is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children in their community," said Andrew Jacobs, president and executive producer of the Florida Sports Awards. "Their commitment to children is often unheralded and we feel this type of commitment needs to be recognized. To the children of Florida, they are true champions and genuine heroes."

Here are the nominees for the 2002 Hometown Hero Award:
ATP: Andy Roddick
Florida Marlins: Preston Wilson
Florida Panthers: Peter Worrell
Jacksonville Jaguars: Donovin Darius
LPGA Tour: Dottie Pepper
Miami Dolphins: Twan Russell
Miami Fusion: Chris Henderson
Miami Heat: Alonzo Mourning
Miami Sol: Ruth Riley
Orlando Magic: Grant Hill
Orlando Miracle: Brooke Wyckoff
PGA Tour: Len Mattiace
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: John Lynch
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Greg Vaughn
Tampa Bay Lightning: Jassen Cullimore
Tampa Bay Mutiny: Ali Curtis
WTA Tour: Venus Williams

The Hometown Hero of the Year Jasper will be announced live at the Seventh Annual Florida Sports Awards on Saturday, June 8, 2002 at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Jacksonville. The show begins at 8 p.m. and airs on Sunshine Network across the state. Check local listings for additional information.

Each year, all of Florida's teams and leagues nominate one of their athletes whose commitment to children mirrors that of the Florida Sports Awards and its mission to benefit youth charities across Florida. The nominated athletes embrace their civic duty, actively participating in various community organizations, each making a difference in the lives of youth. Here is a list of some of the organizations Wyckoff is involved in:

Brooke Wyckoff, Orlando Miracle Fellowship of Christian Athletes, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, YBOA, Ronald McDonald House, Center for Drug-Free Living, Meals on Wheels

The Florida Sports Awards, a not-for-profit organization, is the official sports awards show for the state of Florida. Broadcast live throughout the state, the organization presents Jaspers to honor the top sports performances of the year on the First Coast and the top professional athletes, coaches and teams in the entire state each June. Proceeds from the Florida Sports Awards benefit underprivileged youth charities across Florida, including the Otis F. Smith Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides programs and services to underprivileged youth in North Florida. For more information, visit www.jaspers.com.