The Nassau County Sports Commission, a not-for-profit organization established in 1992 to help support and promote the development of professional and amateur sports in Nassau County, today announced the recipients of its fifth annual achievement awards. The awards will be presented to the winners at the Sports Commission's Annual Awards Dinner, sponsored by Computer Associates International, Inc., scheduled for April 12 at Chateau Briand in Carle Place.

Sang Lan, the renowned gymnast from China who was severely injured during the 1998 Goodwill Games, held in Nassau County, is the recipient of the Sports Commission's Courage Award. Lan, 17, was injured during a practice session at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at Mount Sinai-NYU Medical Center's Rush Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine in New York.

Former New York Islander and New York Ranger Pat LaFontaine will receive the Commission's Professional Male Athlete Award. LaFontaine, 34, played in a total of 1056 National Hockey League games, finishing his career with 468 goals and 545 assists for a total of 1,013 points, making him the 3rd highest point-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history.

Special recognition will be given during this year's awards ceremony to teenage figure skating Sarah Hughes of Great Neck. Hughes, 13, just finished 4th at the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships, held in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 7-14 and placed 2nd in the 1999 World Junior Championships. Hughes' performance secured her participation at the 1999 World Figure Skating Championships to be held in Helsinki Finland, March 22-28.

Also being honored this year are former New York Jet player Marty Lyons¬Community Service Award, NBC sports anchor Len Berman - Broadcast Media Award, broadcasting legend Marty Glickman-Lifetime Achievement Award, 9-time U.S. team member Rhythmic Gymnastics, Wendy Hillard - professional female athlete award, The New York Times sportswriter Gerald Eskenazi - Barney Kremenko Award and high school and college athletes and coaches representing Nassau County schools and differently-abled individuals.

Following is a complete list of winners to be honored by the Nassau County Sports Commission at its 5th annual awards dinner. For further information, please contact the Sports Commission at 516-365-9625 or visit www.nassausports.org.

Sang Lan

Chinese Gymnast

Award For Courage

Pat LaFontaine

Former New York Ranger and New York Islander Professional Male Athlete of the Year

Wendy Hilliard

9-Time Olympic Rhythmic Gymnast

Professional Female Athlete of the Year

Marty Glickman

Broadcasting Legend

Lifetime Achievement

Marty Lyons

Former New York Jet, and Founder, Marty Lyons Foundation

The Community Service Award

Len Berman

WNBC Emmy Award Winning Sports Anchor

Broadcast Media Award

Gerald Eskenazi

The New York Times

The Barney Kremenko Award

Cablevision

Corporate Award

Computer Associates International, Inc.

Female H.S. Outstanding Achievement Award:

Stacy Celinski - Farmingdale H.S.

Cara Drewes - South Side H.S.

Daniela Santa Maria - Mineola H.S.

Gina Omage - Bethpage H.S.

Computer Associates International, Inc.

Male H.S. Outstanding Achievement Award:

Kevin Brennan - Farmingdale H.S.

Patrick Quinlan - West Hempstead H.S.

Timothy Faller - Chaminade H.S.

Brian Hayes - Chaminade H.S.

Computer Associates International, Inc.

High School Coach of the Year:

Steve Cacioppo - Cold Spring Harbor H.S.

Karen Andreone - Our Lady of Mercy Academy

Condé Nast

College Athlete of the Year:

Nick Clark - Adelphi University

Janet Walsh - Hofstra University

Condé Nast

College Coach of the Year:

Dick Vining - C.W. Post

Francine Kalafer - Hofstra University

Differently-Abled Athlete of the Year:

Nick Katsounis - Uniondale

Daria Alinovi - Douglaston

Eva Tucci Female Scholar Athlete Award:

Melissa Kubit - Oceanside H.S.

National Sports Medicine Orthopedic Group Award of Excellence

Kristin Lein - Molloy College

Future Superstar Award

Sarah Hughes - Great Neck

Certificate of Athletic Achievement

Brady Chin - Long Beach

Sasha Orlick - Farmingdale

Kyle Spiak - East Williston

Emily Hughes - Great Neck