3/14/1988 39th Annual Arizona Sports Awards Dinner, Sheraton Mission Palms, Tempe, AZ


 33 years ago today...

March 14, 1988 - Tempe, AZ

 The 39th Annual Arizona Sports Awards dinner was held at the Sheraton Tempe Mission Palms resort.

I was a member of the Phoenix Press Box Association which sponsored this event.  TSTT readers from central Illinois may remember Tom Schoendienst doing the sports on WCIA-TV3, who was now the Executive Director of the group.

On this night, ASU senior golfer Billy Mayfair won AZ Amateur Athlete of the Year.  He now plays on the TPC Champions, aka "Senior," Tour.  

Lafayette "Fat" Lever, formerly of the ASU basketball team and then with the Denver Nuggets, was honored as AZ Professional Athlete of the Year.

University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson was named AZ Coach of the Year. 
 
NBC Sports analyst and NFL pre-game host Paul Maguire served as the master of ceremonies on the evening and autographed the event program.

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