LOS ANGELES, CA. (Sept. 5, 1996) -- Olympic gold medalist Kent Steffes will add an exclamation point to the most successful season of his career as he will receive a total of three awards, including Most Valuable Player, for his efforts during the 1996 season during tonight's Miller Lite/AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour awards banquet at the Catalina Cantina in Redondo Beach, CA.
Steffes will receive the MVP award after a season which saw him team with partner Karch Kiraly to win the first Olympic gold medal in beach volleyball, while becoming only the second player in beach history to surpass the $2 million mark in career earnings. Kiraly was the first to pass the $2 million milestone during the 1995 season.
"I will be very happy to receive the MVP award, but I am even more honored to be recognized as the Most Valuable Player by my peers within the AVP," said Steffes, who will also receive the AVP's Special Achievement award for his preformance during the Summer Games.
Steffes will also be named the Comeback Player of the Year as he tallied a season-high 11 tournament victories with Kiraly during the 1996 Miller Lite/AVP Tour after missing 13 events last year due to a shoulder injury.
Steffes raised his regular season earnings total to $337,606 when he clinched second place in the 1996 Miller Lite Cup season-ending bonus pool which awarded him an additional $75,000.
Also highlighting the Miller Lite/AVP Tour awards banquet will be 39-year-old Olympic silver medalist Mike Dodd who will be honored as this year's Most Inspirational Player. Dodd will also be named this season's Best Defensive Player, and will share Sportsman of the Year honors with Rob Heidger.
Other top award winners to be announced tonight include;
Raul Papaleo (Rookie of the Year), Henry Russell (Most
Improved Player), Troy Tanner (Ron Von Hagen Award),
and Jose Loiola (Best Offensive Player).