Sumter Item announces new sports contest, annual awards event: The Bobbys

Discussions may be heating up around recruiting pipelines, college athletes and professional talent all connected to Sumter, but one name reigns above most when it comes to Sumter sports stardom. Now, that name will help The Sumter Item celebrate high school talent. After all, someone on the field today could be the next Bobby Richardson.

The Sumter Item is excited to announce a first-ever sports program called The Bobbys.

Inspired by ESPN's Espy Awards and building on the reception of programs like Best of Sumter, Athlete of the Year and Top 20 Young Professionals Under 40, The Item will host a red carpet awards gala celebrating the best in Sumter-area sports. Readers will vote for their favorite high school athletes throughout the 2022-23 school year, and winners will be recognized at the Sumter Opera House on Thursday, May 25, 2023.

The event will be open to the public.

"We're excited to celebrate the biggest night in local sports for the best of the Sumter region," Publisher Vince Johnson said. "Naming it after a Sumter sports legend in Bobby Richardson is a natural fit, and we have some surprises in store for the event."

All sports and types of high school athletes will be included, with categories ranging from best male and female athletes in each sport to best student-athlete, coach, team and championship performance as well as top awards for courage, best male and female high school athlete and male and female college athlete, among others.

While there are stars currently in professional sports for which Sumter is proud they call home, when it came to naming the awards program and gala, it was a no-brainer.

"I look at it as you using me to honor them, and I appreciate the honor of being asked to let my name do that," Richardson said. "This community has been so great to me."

Richardson won the World Series MVP in 1960, but his three World Series championships all came in different years, making him the only MVP from a losing team.

The former New York Yankees second baseman is a living legend and has always returned to Sumter amid and after his superstardom on the diamond. He took the time to talk with The Sumter Item on Friday, his 87th birthday.

"I think it's wonderful. I really do," he said of the awards program and gala. "The Item has done an unbelievable job of honoring the high school athletes in every sport. We've never had coverage like you're having in The Item now. It's really appreciated by the families, by the athletes themselves and the community."

Be on the lookout for more information as the time for voting gets closer on how to vote for The Bobbys throughout the school year.

For more information about partnering with The Sumter Item to help celebrate local high school sports or to become a presenting sponsor of an award, contact your sales representative or email advertising@theitem.com.