Gridiron Awards Dinner 2009

MILWAUKEE, WI—The Milwaukee Press Club today announced that sports commentator and author Frank DeFord will be the Club’s 2009 Sacred Cat Award honoree. The award, which has been given annually since 1973, recognizes excellence in journalism at the national level. DeFord will accept the award at the club’s annual Gridiron Dinner, April 24 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee. The event also will honor 2009 Headliners Michael Grebe and Gwen Jackson, and the winners of the 2008 Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism competition.

Frank DeFord’s sports commentary can be heard on the radio each Wednesday on NPR’s Morning Edition.  On television, he is a regular correspondent on the HBO show RealSports With Bryant Gumbel.  In magazines, he is a Senior Contributing Writer at Sports Illustrated.  He is also the author of 15 books.

“We are excited to have Frank DeFord as this year’s Sacred Cat honoree,” said Marilyn Krause, Milwaukee Press Club president. “His entertaining and widely-followed sports journalism cuts across print, radio, and television journalism.”

The Headliner Awards are bestowed annually to people who are in the news and are making a positive difference in Wisconsin.

Michael Grebe is president and chief executive officer of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and newly elected chairman of the Greater Milwaukee Committee.  Gwen Jackson is chair emeritus of the American Red Cross of Southeastern Wisconsin and serves on more than two dozen boards and committees.  

“These two community leaders have made a huge commitment to public service,” Krause said. “We look forward to recognizing their achievements at the Gridiron.”

Tickets for the Gridiron Dinner are available online or by contacting Joette Richards at (262)894-2224 or at milwaukeepressclub@gmail.com.  The cost is $65 per individual or $500 for a table of eight.  Corporate sponsorship levels are also available.  

Founded in 1885, the Milwaukee Press Club is the oldest continuously operating press club in North America. Its 300-plus members represent a diverse community of media-focused professionals representing nearly every local media outlet, and with a strong constituency of public relations and marketing professionals and individuals with an interest in the press.

Click here to view a list of past Sacred Cat Award winners

Click here to view a list of past Headliner Award winners