WNBA To Honor ABC News' Robin Roberts With 2008 WNBA Inspiration Award

By the WNBA
Posted Monday, June 30, 2008

NEW YORK -- Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC News’ Good Morning America, will be the recipient of the 2008 WNBA Inspiration Award, it was announced today by WNBA President Donna Orender.

The WNBA award, which recognizes an individual who inspires others through her commitment and dedication to work, family and community, will be presented at the league’s third annual WNBA Inspiring Women Luncheon. The Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, July 30 at The Palace Hotel, a Starwood hotels and resort property in San Francisco, with more than 300 prominent attendees from the worlds of entertainment, sports, business and politics.

“We are absolutely thrilled to honor Robin Roberts and recognize all her accomplishments, both on and off the court,” said WNBA President Donna Orender. “Through her extraordinary leadership in the news industry as GMA’s co-anchor, to her humanitarian efforts in helping Hurricane Katrina victims to her courageous public battle with breast cancer, her integrity and passion continues to inspire millions of young girls.”

“I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the WNBA,” said Robin Roberts. “All the women in this league are a true inspiration. I appreciate the sterling example they set each and every day for us all.”

Due to the league’s one-month hiatus for the 2008 Olympic Games, a WNBA All-Star Game will not be played this season, and the Luncheon will also serve as a final send-off for American WNBA athletes heading to Beijing this summer in hopes of returning with the United States’ fourth gold medal in women’s basketball. Sue Bird, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Tina Thompson and other players will be on hand for a special ceremony during the event.

There will be additional events in the Bay Area the week of July 28 led by former Stanford University athletes, including WNBA Community Ambassador Jennifer Azzi, rookie sensation Candice Wiggins of the Minnesota Lynx and fan favorite Nicole Powell of the Sacramento Monarchs. Olympians and members of the WNBA family will also take part in the festivities, which include a special WNBA Cares community event to serve the local youth of San Francisco, and a private reception hosted by Beringer Vineyards at Cellar 360 in Ghirardelli Square to include a forum of inspiring women from the local area discussing various topics focused on health, family and success.

At the League’s inaugural Luncheon in 2006, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright addressed a group of inspiring women as the WNBA All-Decade team–whose contributions and sacrifices over ten years have done so much to seed the success of women in sports and inspire dreams–was honored and recognized. Last season, the WNBA recognized Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for her incredible hard work and diligence that has led to her many achievements.

About Robin Roberts:
Robin Roberts, a former basketball player at Southeastern Louisiana University, is a familiar face to television viewers around the country. From 1990-2005, Roberts was a contributor to ESPN. As co-anchor of ABC News' "Good Morning America," Roberts reports on a wide array of topics and issues for the morning program. She has covered numerous special events for the broadcast, including hosting a town hall debate with former presidential candidate Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). She has reported on the homecoming of soldiers aboard the USS Roosevelt, the Golden Jubilee at Buckingham Palace and the 25th anniversary of the papacy of Pope John Paul II in Vatican City. She also continues to interview newsmakers on a daily basis.

From her childhood in Mississippi, to college basketball star, to ESPN host, to co-anchor of GMA, Roberts’ faith and deep-rooted belief in the importance of staying true to one’s self guided her through her incredible journey to the top. Hyperion Books has recently released her first book, From the Heart, sharing hard-won insights into what makes success.About the WNBA
Comprised of 14 teams and now in its 12th season, the WNBA is the longest-running and most successful women’s professional team sports league in America. The 2008 season tipped off May 17 with ESPN2 again providing appointment viewing in the form of its “WNBA Tuesdays” telecasts. Combined coverage on ABC and ESPN2 will include 21 national telecasts, while NBA TV – the league’s 24-hour television network – will offer 70 regular-season contests.

The WNBA is deeply committed to WNBA CARES programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on promoting health and fitness, breast health awareness, reading and youth basketball programs. For more information on the WNBA, log on to www.wnba.com.