Indiana Fever Superstar Tamika Catchings to Receive 2009 Rev. Charles Williams Award as Part of Pathfinder Awards Banquet

The Rev. Charles Williams Award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves through direct service to youth in the Indianapolis community. Formerly known as the Chairman’s Award, the award was renamed in July 2004 in honor of the late president of Indiana Black Expo.

The Pathfinder Awards Banquet, the companion event to the Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament, celebrates its 22nd anniversary with the 2009 event. Nearly 900 guests attended the 2008 banquet, with proceeds benefiting the Champions in Life (CHAMPS) Grant Program and other youth-serving initiatives.

In addition to recognizing Catchings, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus and Dr. Myles Brand will be honored as Pathfinder Award recipients, while ESPN’s Linda Cohn will serve as master of ceremonies.

“We are pleased to recognize Tamika with the 2009 Rev. Charles Williams Award,” said Dennis Bassett, Youthlinks Indiana chairman. “Since she arrived in Indianapolis in 2001, Tamika has done tremendous work both on the court and in the community. Her efforts truly embody the spirit of Rev. Williams and this award.”

In addition to her work on the court, Catchings has worked diligently to provide opportunity to youth. Catchings launched the Catch the Stars Foundation, Inc. in December 2004 to assist disadvantaged youth.

Current foundation programs include the annual Catch the Stars Youth Holiday Basketball Camp, Catch on to Fitness Clinics, Catchings Corner, and Catch the Stars Reading Corners (located at Brookside Park & Christel House Academy).

She has awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships to local students and has several mentoring programs, including S.T.A.R.S. (Sisters Teaching and Reaching Sisters), C.H.A.M.P.S. (Changing Habits And Making People Successful) and COURT STARS (which integrates basketball and social skills). Catchings has also been an annual participant and sponsor of the Indiana Pacers’ annual Thanksgiving Dinner to feed the area’s less fortunate.

Catchings annually donates more than 250 school supply-filled backpacks to local youth through Back to School Celebrations, and provides 100 local youth with gifts, clothing and a fun-filled holiday party through the Catch the Holiday Fever Christmas Program.

In 2004, she was invited to President George W. Bush’s State of the Union Address, and was named as a finalist for the 2006 Wooden Citizen Cup, presented annually to the nation’s top professional athlete who exhibits outstanding community service. As part of the 2007 Circle City Classic, Catchings received the Major Taylor Award, an annual tribute to African-American athletes, coaches, athletic administrators and officials who have made significant local and national contributions to youth. Catchings is the current president of the WNBA Players Association.

Often known as Indiana’s “do-everything” forward, Catchings led her team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals in each of her first five pro seasons. Named the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006, she has asserted herself as one of the world’s premier players. She was recognized as a member of the WNBA’s 10th Anniversary All-Decade Team in 2006.

Catchings is a five-time WNBA All-Star and the only player in WNBA history to finish in the league’s top 10 in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks in the same season – a feat Catchings has achieved twice.

A first-round draft pick by the Fever in 2001, Catchings missed the 2001 season due to an injury sustained at the University of Tennessee. A year later, she was named the 2002 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Later that year, Catchings was runner-up in voting for the league’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. She also became the first Fever player to be named to the All-WNBA First Team.

While playing at Tennessee from 1997-2001, Catchings was a Kodak All-American recipient for four consecutive seasons, becoming only one of four women to ever obtain that distinction. She became just the second member of the Lady Vols to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds. She finished her college career ranked third in the school’s history in points (2,113) and rebounds (1,004). Catchings graduated with honors with a degree in sport management in 2001 and earned a master’s degree from the university in 2004.

The Youthlinks Indiana Golf Tournament is one of the largest golf charity events in Indiana. Last year’s competition included 115 teams and 575 total golfers. Since Youthlinks’ inception in 1988, more than $5.7 million in event proceeds has been distributed back into the community to support youth-based sports programs and initiatives through the Champions in Life (CHAMPS) grants and other awards.

Host golf courses for the 2009 Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament are Broadmoor Country Club, The Country Club of Indianapolis, Wolf Run Golf Club, and Woodland Country Club. Youthlinks Indiana will take place on Monday, June 29.

Hole-in-One level sponsors of Youthlinks Indiana include American Airlines, Anthem, Browning Investments, Eli Lilly & Company, NCAA, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and Sport Graphics.