Polk Named Seattle Sports Star Of The Year
January 25, 2012 | Football
Jan. 25, 2012
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Sports Star of the Year Photo Gallery (Redbox Pictures)
SEATTLE - Former Washington tailback Chris Polk was honored as the Sports Star of the Year at the 77th annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year Wednesday at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.
Polk, who finished his UW career with 4,049 rushing yards, including 1,488 in 2011, was unable to attend the ceremony as he is currently in Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl. Husky quarterback Keith Price, Polk's roommate, accepted the award on his behalf and a video from Polk was played for the audience.
Polk followed in a long line of recent Huskies to win the award, including Brandon Roy, Hope Solo, Jon Brockman, Danielle Lawrie, Courtney Thompson, Christal Morrison, Jake Locker and Tim Lincecum in the last several years.
Two other Husky greats - former basketball stars Detlef Schrempf and Bob Houbregs - received awards.
Schrempf, who was presented by his wife Mary, was honored as the Paul Allen Sports Citizen of the Year, thanks to his work with his charitable foundation. The former Maverick, Pacer and SuperSonic has raised more than $11 million over the years through the Detlet Schrempf Foundation.
Houbregs, introduced by Basketball Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, was honored with the Royal Brougham Legend Award. One of only two Husky hoopters with a retired jersey, Houbregs led the UW to its lone Final Four appearance in 1953, when he was college basketball's player of the year. Recent winners of the Brougham Award include fellow Husky Hall of Famers Marv Harshman and Don James.
Polk's award, presented by former WSU and NFL quarterback Mark Rypien and his daughter, came in a category (Male Sports Star of the Year) with two other Husky contenders as former basketball star Isaiah Thomas and golfer Chris Williams, currently a junior at the UW, were also nominated.
Former Husky softball slugger Jenn Salling was nominated for the Female Sports Star of the Year, which went to Gonzaga basketball player Courtney Vandersloot. Retired Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller was named Pro Sports Star of the Year.
Additionally, the Husky men's rowing team's run to the 2011 national championship was nominated for Sports Story of the Year, which went to the Eastern Washington football team's national championship run.
Locker presented to the Seattle Children's Inspirational Youth Award to fellow Ferndale resident Jake Finkbonner.
Additional honorees included Executive of the Year, given to longtime Seahawks and Sounders executive Gary Wright and the Keith Jackson Award, presented to longtime WSU radio voice and former Husky broadcaster, Bob Robertson.
