INDIANA SPORTS CORP TO HONOR NICHOLAS ASKEW AT ANNUAL STATE OF SPORTS EVENT
Nicholas Askew, trailblazing leader in sports, diversity advocacy, and education and the Director of Swimming and Diving and Tennis at Howard University honored as Pathfinder Award Recipient
INDIANAPOLIS - Nicholas Askew will be recognized for his impact on the sport of swimming, diversity advocacy, and education with the distinguished Pathfinder Award during Indiana Sports Corp's annual State of Sports presented by OneAmerica® on October 17 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.
He will be honored during a cocktail reception from 3 to 5:30 PM. State of Sports is an annual fundraising program for Indiana Sports Corp and highlights its mission of impacting the community through sports. Askew will join Michael Phelps at State of Sports as this year's recipients of the Pathfinder, while Rowdy Gaines will be recognized with the Inspiring Sports Storyteller Award.
The Pathfinder Award, presented by Indiana Sports Corp annually since 1988, aims to recognize individuals who, through sport, have made a commitment to improving the lives of others while inspiring change and action in their communities. Over the years, the Pathfinder Award has honored a tremendous list of recipients, including Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Jeff and Karen Saturday, John Wooden, Jeff Gordon, Larry Bird, Governor Mitch Daniels, Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Mel Simon, Jim Nantz, the Jim Irsay family, and Dick Vitale, among others.
Currently serving as the Director of Swimming and Diving and Tennis at Howard University, the only NCAA Division I HBCU swimming and diving program in the country, Nicholas Askew inspires and leads the next generation of athletes. Under his guidance, Howard has broken nearly 200 school records, earned CSCAA Scholar All-America recognition and led the men's team to a conference championship in 2023, marking its first conference title in 30 years. Nicholas also earned international acclaim for being the visionary of the historic, and record-breaking "Battle at the Burr Swim Meet" versus Georgetown University. He has helped Howard swimmers qualify for the NCAA Championships and National Invitational Championships. He also coached Latroya Pina to the Cape Verde Olympic team and guided Miles Simon to a berth in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2021. Nicholas has been recognized as the 2020 Coastal Collegiate Sports Association Conference Men's Coach of the Year and the 2022 National Collegiate and Scholastic Trophy recipient. He is a three-time conference Coach of the Year and an inductee to the Howard University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Beyond his coaching prowess, Nicholas is a tireless advocate for diversity and water safety. He has been recognized for helping advance the collegiate sports reform movement, dedication to positive change and empowerment, setting an example for future generations with the Drake HERO award. Nicholas has testified before state legislators to promote life-saving water safety initiatives and is a highly sought-after panelist, subject matter expert, and public speaker regarding creating diversity in swimming and tennis.
"Indiana Sports Corp is honored to present Nicholas Askew with the 2023 Pathfinder Award in recognition of his incredible impact on the sport of swimming and his community," said Patrick Talty, president of Indiana Sports Corp. "Nicholas Askew's accomplishments in the pool and his commitment to empowering his student-athletes and community is inspiring as he continues to grow the sport and teach the importance of water safety."
For sponsorship information for the 2023 State of Sports, please contact Mike Karnutaat mkarnuta@indianasportscorp.org or (317) 237-5004. To purchase tables or individual tickets for the event, use this ticket link.
###
About Indiana Sports Corp
Founded in 1979 as the nation's first sports commission, Indiana Sports Corp is a not-for-profit organization focused on bringing premier sporting events to Indiana to drive economic vitality, facilitate a vibrant community with civic pride and garner positive media attention. Because of this, Indiana Sports Corp is able to provide positive, sports-related opportunities for youth in the community. For more information, please visit IndianaSportsCorp.org. |
