BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE
>>REI
It began as a group of 23 mountain- climbing buddies and is now the nation’s largest consumer cooperative. Whether you’re new to outdoor adventures or a seasoned pro, it’s important to have quality outdoor gear. REI designs its own line of award- winning gear and clothing and sells brand name gear for trails, slopes and waterways. They’ve been on Fortune’s list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For every year since the rankings began. And, REI donates millions of dollars to support conservation efforts, as well as sending volunteers to clean up beaches, restore local habitats and more. rei.com.
BEST SPORTS VENUE
>>UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM
University of Phoenix Stadium is home of the Arizona Cardinals and the Annual VIZIO Fiesta Bowl. Host to two Super Bowls, the stadium seats 63,400 (expandable to 72,200), and with its retractable roof and field, is a marvel of design, engineering and technology. The highest-grossing and most-attended event at the stadium was WrestleMania XXVI, which grossed $5.8 million in 2010. Home to concerts, trade shows, corporate functions, sports and more, University of Phoenix Stadium has won numerous awards since its groundbreaking in 2003. universityofphoenixstadium.com.
2014 WINNER
BEST SPRING TRAINING FIELD
>>SALT RIVER FIELDS AT TALKING STICK
Surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountain views in all of baseball, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. Here, fans have opportunities to interact with their favorite players, and are never far from the action due to the unique layout of the stadium. It is a clean, safe, family- friendly environment that showcases the sport in a fun atmosphere. saltriverfields.com.
2014 WINNER
MOST PHILANTHROPIC ATHLETE
>>KURT WARNER, FIRST THINGS FIRST
By now, most everyone knows Kurt Warner’s inspirational story. Undrafted and cut by the Green Bay Packers, stocking shelves in a grocery store, eventually playing for the Arena Football League before being noticed by the St. Louis Rams, and going on to a standout career as quarterback. From that experience came the idea of First Things First, an organization dedicated to impacting lives by promoting Christian values, sharing experiences and providing opportunities to encourage everyone that all things are possible when people seek to put “first things first.” Projects include Treasure House home for adults with developmental disabilities, Homes for the Holidays, which rewards single parents who achieve the dream of homeownership, and countless others. kurtwarner.org.
2014 WINNER
FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER
>>CRISTIE KERR
Over the course of her career so far, Scottsdale resident Cristie Kerr has 16 LPGA victories, including two major championships, and more than 140 top-10 finishes. She is the highest-earning American woman golfer of all time, a two-time ESPY winner for Female Golfer of the Year and a recipient of the Muhammad Ali Award for sportsperson of the year. Off the course, she is a prominent breast-cancer activist, founding Birdies for Breast Cancer, which has raised more than $2.5 million since 2003. Aside from golf and philanthropy, she partnered with Pride Mountain Vineyards to create Curvature Wines, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to breast cancer research. cristiekerrgolf.com.
FAVORITE PHOENIX MERCURY PLAYER
>>DEWANNA BONNER
After a standout college career at Auburn, DeWanna Bonner was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury fifth overall in the 2009 WNBA draft. In her rookie year, she was named Sixth Woman of the Year, led the team in rebounds, and outscored the entire opponent bench three times. She ranks second in the franchise for career double-doubles and rebounding average, and is one of just five players in Mercury history to record multiple 30-point games in a single season. phoenixmercury.com.