Honorees for the Sports Legends Awards are selected annually for their contributions to sports by the Paralysis Project of America's Business and Sports Councils.
Jockey Alex Solis is among seven athletes to be honored at the 15th annual Sports Legends Awards, presented by the Paralysis Project of America at a ceremony to be held Feb. 25 at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles.Solis will receive an award along with gymnastic greats Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci, pro football's Willie Davis and two leading American Olympic stars, the swimmer Donna de Verona and volleyball's Karch Kiraly.The festivities also feature a special tribute to all-time NBA assists leader and two-time Olympic gold medalist John Stockton of the Utah Jazz, who will be presented the annual John R. Wooden Lifetime Achievement Award by Coach John R. Wooden. The awards ceremony is preceded by a silent auction of sports and entertainment memorabilia. Florence Henderson, television, film and stage actress, producer and author, will be the host. Proceeds from the event benefit The Paralysis Project of America, founded by the parents of young people paralyzed by spinal cord injury, along with others dedicated to finding the ultimate cure for paralysis."We hoped our 15th year would be a special one and we are enormously grateful for the legendary sports superstars joining us in 2006," said Catherine Lepone, executive director of The Paralysis Project of America. "Their involvement in the Sports Legends Awards is a shining personal tribute to everyone who has suffered a life-altering injury that impedes his ability to walk or compete in sports activities as he once did."Solis has won more than 4,000 races as a jockey, including one jewel in the Triple Crown (1986 Preakness Stakes, gr. I, with Snow Chief) and three Breeders' Cup victories. He has been aboard three Kentucky Derby (gr. I) runner-up finishers and won six consecutive major riding titles at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar.
