SECAUCUS, N.J. - The MetroStars announced Monday that they will hold their 2004 awards ceremony, presented by Johnnie Walker Scotch Whiskey and KeySpan Home Energy Services, at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J. The second annual event will take place on Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The event will include a networking reception for MetroStars Business Alliance members and team VIPs. The networking event will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. on the main floor, and the awards ceremony will commence at 7:30 p.m. in the JD Williams Theatre.
"The MetroStars are very excited to bring this great celebration of the 2004 MetroStars season to Hudson County," said team president and general manager Nick Sakiewicz. "This very special event will symbolize the start of the 2004 MLS Cup playoffs, and will also recognize some special achievements from the regular season. We will be gathering to focus our team on the championship, and in the process will recognize some of the great individual efforts that have contributed to the 2004 MetroStars regular season."
JP Dellacamera, Shep Messing and Steve Cangialosi of the MSG Network, along with Ernesto Motta and Robert Sierra of WADO 1280 AM have been scheduled as the event's co-hosts. In addition to the various awards, there will be performances by the Time Square Kidz from New York City and Drums of Thunder from Hillside School in Montclair, N.J.
The night will feature 12 awards with ten going to MetroStars players, one to the "Red and Black's" fan of the year, and one to the Youth Soccer Clubs of the year.
Of the ten awards going to players, seven will be voted on by the media (2004 Honda MetroStars Most Valuable Player, 2004 United States Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year, 2004 MetroStars Young Player of the Year, 2004 Major League Soccer's MetroStars Defender of the Year, 2004 MetroStars Play of the Year, 2004 MetroStars Unsung Player and 2004 MetroStars Newcomer of the Year), two will be awarded by statistical analysis (2004 MetroStars Budweiser Scoring Champion and 2004 MetroStars Iron Man) and one will be voted on by fans at MetroStars.com (2004 MetroStars.com Player of the Year).
The 2004 MetroStars Fan of the Year award is given to the most energetic fan for his/her continuous support throughout the season. The MetroStars Fan of the Year will be selected through public nominations that can be submitted on MetroStars.com.
In addition to those awards, the MetroStars will honor its top three youth soccer clubs with the 2004 MetroStars Youth Soccer Club of the Year award.
A silent auction with various pieces of sports memorabilia will be held during the networking reception. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Hudson County Youth Summer Employment Program.
