BlazeSports America Honors Inspiring Georgia Individuals at the 2019 Triumph of the Human Spirit Awards

ATLANTA - Dec. 21, 2019 - PRLog -- BlazeSports America hosted its annual Triumph of the Human Spirit Awards this month at the Courtyard Marriott Atlanta Decatur Hotel. The Awards honor those who have made a significant impact in Georgia through adaptive sport and recreation, and who demonstrate qualities beyond athletic achievement such as leadership, a positive attitude and who inspire, motivate and truly epitomize the Triumph of the Human Spirit, the motto from the Atlanta Paralympic Games of which BlazeSports is the direct legacy organization.

The inspiring evening was emceed by CBS46's Karyn Greer and featured three guest speakers: John Tien, Retired US Army Colonel and Managing Director with Citi, Dominique Wilkins, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, Atlanta Hawks Legend and FOX Sports Southeast Analyst, and Bailey Moody, wheelchair basketball athlete with BlazeSports Atlanta Jr. Hawks and member of Team USA Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team.

Thirty-one individuals from Metro Atlanta and surrounding areas were nominated. The following are the ten 2019 Triumph of the Human Spirit Award Winners

Veteran Athlete Awards
Cordelia Renee Wright (Stockbridge, GA) BlazeSports athlete, Veterans T.E.A.M. Ambassador with BlazeSports

Joseph Smith (Stone Mountain, GA): BlazeSports athlete, Veterans T.E.A.M. Ambassador with BlazeSports

Coaches Awards
Marc Lancaster (Dacula, GA) BlazeSports volunteer wheelchair basketball coach and track & field coach for over 10 years

Jaccalyn Billeter (Decatur, GA), BlazeSports Lead Swim Instructor and volunteer

Adult Athletes Awards
Thomas Odom (Dahlonega, GA), cycling and triathlon athlete with the Kyle Pease Foundation

Community Organization Awards
Judy Byrd (Atlanta, GA), Executive Director, Beep Kickball Association

Dr. Lee Brinkley Bryan (Warm Springs, GA), Residential Services Director, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Youth Athlete Award
Elizabeth Pentecost (Atlanta, GA) BlazeSports wheelchair basketball and track & field athlete, St. Pius X Catholic High School Student

Braxton Munkel (Alpharetta, GA) BlazeSports wheelchair basketball and track & field athlete

Community Volunteer Award
Lisa Simmons (Roswell, GA), BlazeSports supporter and volunteer, President of Beacon Management Services

BlazeSports is grateful to all the attendees and event sponsors Southern Company Gas Charitable Foundation, Citi, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA, Clipper Petroleum Foundation, Beacon Management Services, Morrow Parks Farm, Morris, Manning & Martin, Adnormous Graphics, ABC Medical, Pat Summit Leadership Group, Paul Ward Photography and Mauricio Fuentes Photography.  For more event information and photo gallery visit, www.blazesports.org.

BlazeSports America and the Atlanta Hawks will continue their partnership with the 4th Annual Big Peach Slam Jam wheelchair basketball tournament on Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26, hosting 300 youth athletes 5-18 from across the country. The Atlanta Hawks are the presenting sponsor of the 2020 Big Peach Slam Jam. The event, held at Suwanee Sports Academy in Duluth, GA, includes a bracket-style, all-day competition with Prep and Varsity teams. For more information about the event, please visit www.blazesports.org or the event page at https://blazesports.org/youth/jr-hawks-wheelchair-basketball/2020-big-peach-slam-jam/