As many Iowans tuned in, the 2010 ESPY awards took place last night, and the show highlighted Northeast Iowa with much honor.  The ESPY’s, an annual award show created by ESPN,  highlights athletic performances throughout the year.  Our very own UNI Panthers men’s basketball team and the family of Ed Thomas were both highly honored, taking home awards.

The Panther men took home the Best Upset ESPY Award, with their game-winning performance in the NCAA tournament, beating #1 seed Kansas.  Coach Ben Jacobson, alongside Ali Farokhmanesh, who made the famous 3 pointer, and senior Adam Koch, accepted the award. In his speech, Jacobson thanks the towns of Cedar Falls and Waterloo, along with all the proud alums all over the world.

Another memorable moment on the ESPY’s includes the presentation of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, which is presented to the sports related personage who has made the most significant and humanitarian impact in relation to athletics in the given year.  The family of Ed Thomas was there to receive this prestigious award, only after a beautiful video looked back on the strength of Ed Thomas, his family, and the people of the Aplington-Parkersburg community during the tornado and times of grief proceeding Thomas’ murder.  The strength shown by the Thomas family gave hope to people across the world, as ESPN honored Ed Thomas’ life.

All in all, Northeast Iowa made a positive impact not only in the sporting world, but across the country. These awards gave us pride to be a part of such a great community, state, and country.