De Rosario to be named 2012 D.C. Sportsperson of the Year at upcoming SneakerBall IX

D.C. Sportsperson of the Year Presented by Arent Fox: Dwayne De Rosario

Signature Charity Event Celebrates MLS Most Valuable Player

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Greater Washington Sports Alliance announced today that the recipient of the 2012 D.C. Sportsperson of the Year Presented by Arent Fox will be star D.C. United midfielder Dwayne De Rosario. This award will be presented to De Rosario at SneakerBall IX Presented by DMI, Washington D.C.’s only black tie and sneakers gala, held at the National Building Museum on September 11, 2012.

The D.C. Sportsperson of the Year award was created to recognize and honor the Greater Washington region’s most outstanding individual in sport in the past year. Past recipients of this award include Redskins’ Chris Cooley, UMD’s Grievis Vasquez, and Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin.

“We are very excited to acknowledge De Rosario’s athletic achievements at this year’s event,” said Robert Sweeney, President of the Greater Washington Sports Alliance. “His outstanding dedication and performance on the field this past year has proven him to be a tremendous athlete and a true leader in Washington D.C. sports.”

Dwayne De Rosario serves as the captain for D.C. United, one of nineteen teams in Major League Soccer.  Last November, De Rosario was officially named the MLS Volkswagen Most Valuable Player for the 2011 Season. Additionally, he won the MLS Golden Boot for leading the league in goals scored during the regular season.  He finished last season with an impressive 16 goals and 12 assists.  De Rosario was also a part of the 2011 and 2012 MLS All-Star teams. This year, he leads MLS with 10 assists, and has D.C. United in position to make the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in four seasons. 

“Dwayne has not only proven himself as the best player in MLS, but has also become the centerpiece for our team both on and off the field,” said Kevin Payne, President and CEO of D.C. United.  “We are proud of his great accomplishments and are grateful for this recognition by the sports community.”

Proceeds from SneakerBall IX will support the Greater Washington Sports Alliance Collaborative, the non-profit arm of the Sports Alliance that uses the philanthropic generosity of individual and corporate donors to make strategic investments in emerging non-profits that use sports to enhance children's lives.

The 9^th annual SneakerBall Gala will be held on September 11, 2012. For more information or for sponsorship opportunities, visit www.sneakerball.org or contact Dani Brand at dbrand@gwsportsalliance.com.

About Greater Washington Sports Alliance:

Established in 2003, The Greater Washington Sports Alliance (GWSA) is a regional non-profit sports commission created to foster economic development and civic pride through the power of sports. GWSA’s mission encompasses the attraction of sporting events to the region;, the promotion of the regional professional, collegiate and amateur franchises;, the support of youth investment organizations; and the branding of Washington, D.C. as a world class sports destination. For more information on GWSA, visit www.gwsportsalliance.com.