New York Members of First African-American Military Flight Team to be Honored in Celebration of Black History Month NEW YORK, February 19, 2008 – In celebration of Black History Month, the New York Knickerbockers have announced the world-renowned Tuskegee Airmenas the winners of the Sweetwater Clifton “City Spirit” Award for the month of February. The award, named in honor of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, who was the first African-American to play for the Knicks, recognizes those who have made a significant difference in the lives of others. Each month, a winner is chosen by members of the Knicks front office staff and honored at center court of a Knicks game. The winner will receive a $2,000 donation in their name to a charity of their choice from the New York Knicks. The Tuskegee Airmen are America’s first African-American pilots, bombardiers, navigators and support personnel trained during World War II. Also known as “The Red Tails,“ they distinguished themselves in combat during the war. On March 29, 2007, President Bush awarded them the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal. At Friday night’s game versus the Toronto Raptors, the Tuskegee Airmen will accept the City Spirit Award at Madison Square Garden. They will donate the award money to Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.’s (TAI) National Youth Program, a program that introduces young people to the world of aviation and science. TAI is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing annual scholarships and awards to deserving individuals, groups and corporations whose deeds lend support to its goals. TAI also gives awards to deserving cadets in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. To nominate your hero, or to read more about this month’s winners and other past winners, please visit nyknicks.com.
The NBA’s New York Knickerbockers basketball team, in its 62nd year of operation, is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns Madison Square Garden, L.P., which includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Beacon Theatre; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.
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This post was written by joepietaro on February 19, 2008
