Boise, Idaho, Aug. 8, 2001 - The votes have been counted and the results are in for the 2001 Pro Team Community Award. The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame is honored to announce that the combined programs of the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche are the recipients of this year's award. For the first time, the Award goes to a dual franchise sports organization. Ronald O. Sally, Sr. Vice President of Kroenke Sports Enterprises (owner of the Nuggets and Avalanche) directs the community endeavors of the teams and Colleen Garrity is the coordinator of the winning entry.

NNU Professor and Chairman of the Evaluation Committee, Jerry Hull, expressed comments that reflected the panel's decision, "The Nuggets-Avalanche entry was incredibly presented. It was reader friendly and I was impressed by the comprehensiveness of the programs. The organization is to be congratulated for their commitment to improving the lives of families and children throughout Colorado."

The runners-up who were the finalists for the Award are the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Bears, the Cleveland Browns, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Again, quoting Chairman Hull, "All of the finalists have blue ribbon programs and each would have been an excellent choice."

"We are honored to receive this prestigious national award. Dozens of people have contributed to our success in making a difference throughout Colorado, but the support and commitment of my wonderful staff, the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation, Pierre Lacroix (President and General Manager of the Colorado Avalanche), Dan Issel (President and Head Coach of the Denver Nuggets), Don Elliman (President of Kroenke Sports Enterprises), Stan Kroenke (owner of the Nuggets and Avalanche), and our players has been particularly impressive. We will continue our outstanding work in the Colorado community," said Ronald O. Sally, Sr. Vice President of Kroenke Sports Enterprises. A representative from the Nuggets/Avalanche organization will be in Boise, Idaho on September 25 to accept the Award. The presentation will be a part of the Eighth Annual World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony honoring the 2001 Inductees: A.C. Green, Johann Koss and Andrea Jaeger.

INDIVIDUAL CITATIONS

The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame recognizes what a tremendous asset each professional team and its organization is to their community. Programs are only as good as their individual parts. Therefore, for the first time, the Award's program is singling out individual program components and team personnel for recognition. Winners will be recognized at the September 25th Ceremony. Those receiving merit are as follows:
INDIVIDUALS

Most Involved Executive(s)	Joe and Gavin Maloof	Sacramento Kings
Most Involved Coach	Dennis Green	Minnesota Vikings
Most Involved Player	Kurt Thomas	New York Knicks
Most Involved Staff Member	Bob Love	Chicago Bulls

INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Best Presentation of Entry	Columbus Blue Jackets
Best Printed Piece	Cleveland Browns
Best Use of Volunteers	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Best Use of a Diversity Theme	St. Louis Rams (Diversity Awareness Partnership)
Best Individual Program/Event	Vancouver Canucks (Canuck Place - Freestanding Hospice for Children)
Best Use of Alumni	Chicago Blackhawks