Banquet Lineup Nearly Filled Leaf Among Award Finalists Committing To Event

FROM SPORTS MENU C2 (Saturday, January 31, 1998): Replay Jennifer Stinson plays volleyball for Washington State. The sport listed in a story Friday was incorrect.

All of the coaches and most of the amateur athlete finalists, including Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, have confirmed their appearance at the 50th Inland Northwest Sports Awards Banquet.

The banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Ag Trade Center. Tickets, priced at $50, are on sale at the Greater Spokane Sports Association, 801 W. Riverside. Reservations can be made by calling 456-5812.

The Inland Northwest Sportswriters and Broadcasters will present their athlete, coach and team of the year awards. Former San Francisco 49ers football coach Bill Walsh is the keynote speaker. Dennis Hull returns as master of ceremonies.

Leaf, Washington State’s record-setting quarterback, led the Cougars to their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1931. He’s among three amateur male athlete of the year finalists scheduled to attend, said Kirby McKee of the sponsoring GSSA.

Other confirmed male athlete finalists are Rex Prescott and Harry Leons of Big Sky football champion Eastern Washington. Female athlete of the year finalists scheduled to attend are Nebraska gymnast Shelly Bartlett, Notre Dame volleyball player Jamie Lee and WSU basketball player Jennifer Stinson.

Coach of the year finalists Cindy Fredrick of WSU, Rick Giampietri of Central Valley High School, Mike Kramer of EWU and Mike Price of WSU will attend.

Conflicts prevent the four pro athlete finalists from attending.

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