PDA Entertainment Search Results

Name Description
Dan Alon Dan Alon, an Israeli fencer and 1972 Olympic athlete, never talked about his experience at the Munich Games and the Palestinian terrorist attack on the Israeli delegation. The reason was simple: No one ever asked him. At the time, he said, the media was focused on the victims and their families. I couldnt just go out on the street and shout, Im a survivor, I want to talk! says Alon, 61. So I didnt talk about it for 30 years.
Len Berman Emmy Award-winning sports analyst and a popular Today Show regular, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Len Berman is known to millions of viewers for his "Spanning the World" round-ups of the astonishing and the hysterical from the world of sports. To sports fans, he is also known as creator and host of the Sports Fantasy program for NBC's SportsWorld. A popular feature in its several years on the air, the show arranged to have viewers act out their sports fantasies with their favorite athletes. He has hosted World Series games and Super Bowls and has done play-by-play for college basketball and NFL football since joining NBC-TV in September 1982. He is the recipient of five Emmy Awards for his sports reports, and his Sports Update program in New York was cited by United Press International for Outstanding Sports reporting. For corporate events, Berman offers the perfect antidote to dry seminars and painfully serious speakers. His program features a hilarious compilation of highlights from his "Spanning the World" segments, as well as anecdotes of his experiences with some of the world's biggest athletes and sports personalities. Whether he is delivering an after-dinner speech or hosting an annual award banquet, Berman's wealth of stories and winning sense of humor guarantee an evening of big league entertainment As one of the nation's top sportscasters, Berman can also make your company tournament or sports outing truly memorable by doing a portion of the play-by-play!
Joe Buck Joe Buck has earned the distinction as one of sports' premier play-by-play broadcasters, as evidenced by his four Emmy Award wins in 1999 and 2001-2003. Buck currently handles lead play-by-play duties for FOX Sports' Award winning NFL and MLB coverage, teaming with future Hall of Famer Troy Aikman and fellow Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth while on assignment with the NFL on FOX, and three-time Emmy Award-winning analyst Tim McCarver while working out of the MLB on FOX booth. Buck is the first play-by-play announcer to handle lead MLB and NFL coverage in the same year since NBC's Curt Gowdy and ABC's Al Michaels. Buck began his play-by-play career in the NFL on FOX broadcast booth, where he worked from 1994-1997. He and NFL on FOX analyst Tim Green formed one of the network's original six NFL broadcast teams in 1994, when at age of 25, Buck was the youngest announcer to call a regular slate of NFL games on network television. In April, Buck and McCarver each brought home his second consecutive award for Outstanding Play-by-Play and Event Analyst, respectively. Buck capped off a stellar rookie campaign for MLB on FOX in 1996 when, at age 27, he became the youngest play-by-play announcer to call a World Series since the legendary Vin Scully (25) sat behind the mike during the 1953 Fall Classic. Buck's impressive MLB on FOX resume includes the 1996, 1998, 2000 - 2002 World Series, the 1997, 1999 and 2001 American League Championship Series, the 1996, 1998, 2000 - 2002 National League Championship Series, the 1997, 1999, 2001 & 2002 All-Star Games, and Mark McGwire's historic 62nd home run game on September 8, 1998.
Dominique Dawes Dominique Dawes is a champion in life. Bursting into the international spotlight in 1992 as part of the bronze medal winning womens Olympic gymnastic team, she was the first African American gymnast to ever qualify and compete in an Olympic games. A three-time Olympian, Awesome Dawesome catapulted into stardom, winning more national championship medals than any other athlete, and is now the most decorated gymnast on the US womens Olympic team. Since her Olympic glory, Dawes hasnt rested on her laurels. Her dedication, determination, and desire have served her well as a positive role model to young people across the nation. A popular speaker, she shares her insights about leading a healthy and balanced life, achieving confidence and self-esteem through both athleticism and citizenship. As spokesperson for The Girl Scout/Unilever Self-Esteem Program for girls, she helps the youth of today realize their fullest potential and inspire them to achieve a higher sense of self-esteem, paving the way for an easier and empowered adolescence. Talented and versatile, Dawes has appeared in the hit Broadway musical, "Grease" and is establishing a fledgling career in broadcasting. Active in numerous organizations such as Sports United Against Drugs, and as President-Elect of the Womens Sports Foundation, she continues to be a winning force for young women of all ages.
Dan Jansen 1994 Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen is a symbol of strength, hard work and perseverance. He first captured the world’s attention during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Hearts went out to him when the world learned that his sister, whose last words were ones urging him to victory, had died mere hours before his first race. He announced that he wanted to win as a tribute to her and as he stepped onto the ice, we cheered a little louder than normal. When he fell not once--but twice--we felt his pain as if it were our own. After the 1988 Olympics, letters poured in from fans worldwide, President Reagan invited him to the White House, and the U.S. Olympic Committee honored him with the Olympic Spirit Award. The speed skating champion embodies the competitive spirit, and his story inspires us to reach for our own personal Jansen continued to train and in 1989, he skated a personal best in the 500 meter, earning a silver medal at the Sprint Championships and two silvers at the World Cup. The following year, he won two silvers at the World Cup and this time, earned a gold at the Sprint Championships. The winning streak continued in 1991, when he won two World Cup gold medals. In preparation for the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France, he set a U.S. Track Record at the U.S. Trials again, won two gold medals in the World Cup and skated his career fastest 500 meter, breaking the world record. But again, the Olympic gold eluded his grasp. During his final chance in the 1994 Olympic games Dan told himself to relax and enjoy himself. His performance dazzled the spectators with a world record and an Olympic gold medal in the 1000 meter event. As he took his victory lap, there was not a dry eye in the arena. Among numerous awards and honors he has received throughout the years, in 1995 Dan was awarded the Amateur Athletic Union’s James E. Sullivan Award, presented annually to the outstanding athlete in the U.S. who exhibits the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism. In honor of his sister, the Dan Jansen Foundation was established, contributing funds for Leukemia research, youth sports, and educational programs. The youngest of nine children born to Harry and Gerry Jansen, a retired police officer and a retired nurse, Dan is a first class competitor. He is also a man who knows about dreaming big and the work, positive attitude, and strength it takes to make those dreams come true. As a public speaker, he uses his story to inspire others to turn their dreams into reality.
Bob Lujano "Murderball" is a documentary about tough, highly competitive quadraplegic rugby players and their journey to the Paralympics in Greece. Bob Lujano received his Bachelor's degree in History and Pre-Law at UT Arlington. He is currently training for the US Quadraplegic Rugby National team to attend the World Championships of Rugby in New Zealand.
Billy Mills In 1964, on a arm summer night in Tokyo, Japan American Billy Mills shone brighter than any star in the Oriental sky. Unheralded, unappreciated, virtually unknown to the world, Billy Mills scored one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history, winning the 10,000 meter run with a stunning come-from-behind finish that left the world's best runners in his wake, and the rest of the world in disbelief. In the 100 years of the Games, Mills is the only American ever to win this event. Mills, a Lakota (Sioux) Indian born on the reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, learned early that life doesn't always come easy. It was exactly this harsh realization that brought him to the pinnacle of the athletic world. Mills fought prejudice, jealousy, and scorn to become one of America's best distance runners of his day. Through high school, the University of Kansas, and the Marine Corps, he was often the target of envy and contempt. His ancestry was ridiculed, his integrity questioned, and his talents ignored. But while his detractors made every attempt to strip Billy Mills of his dignity, they could never extinguish the fiery determination in his soul.
Robin Roberts ABC sports commentator on "Good Morning America" and host of ESPN's Sports Center, Robin Roberts is one of the most versatile commentators in sports. She is also the current host for the Emmy Award winning anthology program, "ABC's Wide World of Sports."
Kerri Strug Kerri Strug vaulted into Olympic history with her courageous performance during the 1996 Olympic Games. Kerri landed an unforgettable vault on an injured ankle to help the U.S. clinch its first Olympic gold medal in the team gymnastics competition. Her emotional performance has earned Kerri a variety of awards and accolades, from the Olympic Spirit Award to a spot on the Wheaties Box. Her rise in the gymnastics world began long before her 1996 heroics. She began competitive gymnastics at age 8, where she followed in the footsteps of her older sister and brother. Kerri became the youngest American on the Olympic squad in 1992, where she earned a bronze medal in the Barcelona Olympics. She was a three-time World Championship medalist and member of five World Championship teams since 1991. She also won the 1996 McDonald’s American Cup and 1995 U.S. Olympic Sports Festival. Kerri’s gut-wrenching performance in Atlanta earned her fame well beyond the gymnastics world. She was featured on the cover of both Time and People magazines. She appeared on television shows including “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Saturday Night Live,” and “Touched by an Angel,” as well as interviews on “The Today Show,” “Dateline,” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Only three months after the 1996 Olympics, Kerri started college. She earned her BA in Communications and an MA in Sociology from Stanford University. Following graduation, Kerri worked as a second grade teacher in San Jose, California. Despite her busy schedule, Kerri volunteers her time and energy to a variety of charitable causes. Kerri has served as a spokesperson for the Special Olympics and the Children’s Miracle Network. She has also participated in projects with DARE, Pediatric AIDS, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and Childhelp. The Women’s Sports Foundation presented Kerri with the Reebok/Lady FootLocker Giving Back Award in recognition of her community efforts. Although no longer in competitive gymnastics, she maintains involvement in the gymnastic community through work with parents, kids, and coaches throughout the country at various gymnastic camps and clubs. An author of two books, Kerri reaches out to others who can be inspired by her determination both inside and outside the gym. Heart of Gold targets younger readers who can learn of Kerri’s ups and downs as a young gymnast. Her autobiography, Landing on my Feet: A Diary of Dreams, focuses on the hard work and commitment that led to her heroic Olympic performance. Kerri now resides in Washington D.C. where her patriotic spirit has led her to work for the government. She has held several positions in the federal government including; a position in the Office of Presidential Student Correspondence at the White House, the Treasury Department in the Office of General Counsel and is currently a political appointee at the United States Department of Justice in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention where she hopes to help and inspire our nation’s youth.
Sheryl Swoopes Sheryl Swoopes Olympic Gold Medallist & WNBA All-Star Program Title - An Evening With Sheryl Swoopes Inspired by her mother, Louise, who single-handedly raised four children, Sheryl Swoopes’ first basketball memory is “going to nationals with the Little Dribblers team when she was eight years old”. From that point on, Sheryl Swoopes has continued to leave her mark on the game of women’s professional basketball and women’s sports in general. The first woman to have her own Nike shoe named after her, the 2002 season WNBA’s MVP has achieved many respected accolades during her career. Many have noted Ms. Swoopes as “one of the best players ever” in the game of women’s basketball. Ms. Swoopes was also recognized and awarded an ESPY at the 2000 ESPY Awards Show for “Female Professional Basketball Player of the Year”. She has repeatedly been named to the All-WNBA First Team in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Recently Ms. Swoopes was named as the “2002 WNBA Player of the Year” and “2002 Defensive Player of the Year” awards that she also achieved in 2000. As the leading vote getter in All-Star voting in both 1999, 2000 and 2002, Sheryl has also recorded numerous double-doubles in her career. In the 2000 season alone, Ms. Swoopes led the WNBA in regular season scoring with career high 20.7 points per game scoring average and this year led the WNBA in playoff scoring. Outside of her professional career with the WNBA, Ms. Swoopes has been received Gold Medals at both the 1996 and 2000 USA Women’s Olympic team. Sheryl was also a member of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team that played 52 games around the world to prepare for the Olympics. As an integral force in representing the U.S., Sheryl has participated in the 1994 Goodwill Games and 1999 Winter European Tour. Currently Ms. Swoopes is representing the United States overseas, in China, in the 2002 World Championship Games. Sidelined for the 2001-2002 season with a torn ACL injury, Sheryl Swoopes rebounded in the 2002 season with exemplary play and performance earning the recognition of the league’s MVP. Those same levels of dedication, commitment, diligence and perseverance are constants that Sheryl also exhibits in her endeavors away from the basketball court. While Sheryl is honored to have received the distinguished accolades for her on-court presence, she is also proud of her accomplishments off-court as well. Sheryl is dedicated to educating, enhancing and empowering our youth. Her activities in the community have incited her desire to establishing a foundation dedicated to these efforts, the Sheryl Swoopes Foundation for Youth (S.S.F.Y.). This organization, based out of Houston, is designed to not only assist the children of Texas but has an outreach plan that hopes to help children worldwide. Sheryl Swoopes also serves as an Advisory Board Member for M.A.D.D. She has appeared on The Today Show, The Weakest Link and was invited by President George W. Bush to join him for the Opening Ceremonies at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. A native of Lubbock, Texas, Sheryl attended Texas Tech University. In her spare time Sheryl enjoys spending quality time with her son, playing volleyball, and traveling the country delivering inspirational messages of “…dedication and determination towards success” to audiences of all ages and demographics. Sheryl is a single parent and the proud mother of one five year-old son, Jordan, whom she notes as being her most important achievement in life.
Mark Zupan Mark Zupan is the inspirational star of the documentary film Murderball and spokesman for the U.S. Quad Rugby Association's Team USA. Murderball chronicles the journey of the American quad rugby team to the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, where Zupan led his team to a bronze medal. A graduate of Georgia Tech and one of the most feared players in this extreme sport, Zupan is a hard-edged motivator who destroys stereotypes about people with all types of disabilities.