Semoball Awards fall sports selection show scheduled for Feb. 7

More than 150 high school athletes from across Southeast Missouri were recognized last summer at the Show Me Center as part of the inaugural Semoball Awards.

Now for Round 2.

This year's Semoball Awards event is slated for July 11 at the Southeast Missouri State River Campus, but the announcement of the finalists will have a new twist.

The finalists for all fall sports awards -- football offense, football defense, volleyball, boys soccer, girls tennis, boys and girls cross country and boys swimming -- will be announced at a selection show on Saturday at Dexter Bar-B-Que in Cape Girardeau, 236 South Broadview St. The hour-long show begins at 10 a.m. and will be broadcast live on SEMO ESPN radio (92.9 FM, 1220 AM and 1470 AM) as part of the weekly Saturday Morning Express show.

"Last year's Semoball Awards was such a fun event in and of itself thanks to all the athletes, fans and our great sponsors," Semoball Awards event manager Lucas Presson said. "I think by having three additional opportunities to celebrate finalists brings more attention to many of the

area's outstanding athletes. This is an opportunity that we can say, 'These are all the fall sports finalists,' and we recognize them all at one time. Any athlete who thinks they're going to be a finalist, we encourage them to come out and be there, or you can listen live, too."

SoutheastHEALTH returns as the presenting sponsor of the Semoball Awards, which also includes Official Bank Sponsor First Midwest Bank and title sponsors Harry Blackwell Family of Dealerships and Athlon Sports.

The winter sports finalists will be revealed during a selection show on Saturday, April 11, at Harry Blackwell Dodge in Dexter, Missouri, and spring sports finalists will be announced Saturday, June 13, at First Midwest Bank in Dexter, Missouri.

Presson said the selection shows will only add to the prominence of this year's awards ceremony.

"We're still going to have the Semoball Awards this summer, and it's going to be a first-class experience for all who attend," Presson said. "We will have the red carpet, Live from the Red Carpet Radio Show, the ice sculpture, celebrity guest speaker, the whole nine yards. This just brings an extra element for the athletes."

The nationally-recognized guest speaker will be announced in February with more information to come at the fall selection show, which is open to the public. A free buffet will be available on a first-come, first serve basis.

There will also be several guest appearances, including Cape Girardeau Central High School football coach Nathan Norman, who was a finalist for Coach of the Year last season. Attendees should arrive by 9:45 a.m., and the show will begin at 10 a.m.

In all, athletes from 57 high schools and 19 sports will be honored at the Semoball Awards in July, with either five or 10 finalists being named for each sport depending on the number of particpating schools. Two scholar-athletes from each school also will be honored as well as finalists for Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and Best Sportsmanship. In another new addition, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be handed out this year.

Fans can nominate individuals for awards online at semoball.com/awards. The panel of sports editors from semoball.com and broadcasters from SEMO ESPN Radio review the nominations and look at statistics for area athletes to pick the finalists for each of the awards. Finalists for the scholar athletes of the year are selected by officials from each of the 57 high schools.

To see highlights from the 2014 Semoball Awards and to cast a vote for this year's best fanbase, visit semoball.com/awards. VIP tickets will go on sale in February through the website. Finalists and their parents or guardians will receive an invitation to reserve tickets for the awards show at the River Campus.

Organizations interested in sponsorships, including the sponsorship of individual sports, can contact Presson at 573-388-3649 or lpresson@semissourian.com.

"I can't tell you how many people I've had rave about the Semoball Awards and what a special night it was last year," semoball.com editor Rachel Crader said. "We're thankful for all of our sponsors and all of the athletes, parents, coaches and fans who made the event a success and can't wait to get all of the best athletes in Southeast Missouri back in the same room in July. That all starts with the revealing of our first group of finalists, so we hope a big crowd will join us on Saturday at Dexter Bar-B-Que."