Pathfinder banquet features Kellog

Clark Kellogg will serve as the master of ceremonies for the 2008 Pathfinder Awards Banquet June 29 at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pathfinder Awards are presented annually to individuals for their contributions and dedication to youth.

The Pathfinder Awards Banquet, the companion event to the Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament, celebrates its 21st anniversary with the 2008 event.

Nearly 900 guests attended the 2007 banquet, with proceeds benefiting the Champions in Life Grant Program and other youth-serving initiatives. Indiana Sports Corp. and Indiana Black Expo co-present both events annually.

In addition to honoring the National and Indiana Pathfinder Award recipients, the Rev. Charles Williams Award will also be presented.

Kellogg was the No. 1 draft pick of the Indiana Pacers in 1982 and played five seasons before retiring with chronic knee problems. In addition to his work with CBS Sports and Indiana Pacers’ broadcasts, Kellogg has served as an analyst for ESPN’s regular season college basketball coverage. Kellogg has also worked for the Big East Network and Prime Sports.

Host golf courses for the 2008 Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament, which will be held June 30, are The Brickyard Crossing, The Country Club of Indianapolis, Crooked Stick Golf Club, Meridian Hills Country Club and Woodland Country Club. Youthlinks Indiana will take place June 30.

Last year’s competition included 124 teams and 620 golfers at the five hosting golf courses. Over the years, more than $5.4 million in event proceeds has been distributed back into the community to support youth-based sports programs and initiatives through Champions in Life grants and other awards.

This year’s award recipients will be announced in the near future. Track & field Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis (National Pathfinder Award), Indiana basketball legend George McGinnis (Indiana Pathfinder Award), and IndySpeed and Special Olympics coach Cindi Hart (Rev. Williams Award) were honored in 2007.