Listen: Should 'The Beach' Have Been Considered For Lou Marsh?

Published: December 10, 2008 10:56 am EST

On the Tuesday, December 10 edition of Prime Time Sports, host Bob McCown, Toronto Star sports writers Dave Perkins and Mary Ormsby, and Globe & Mail scribe Stephen Brunt discussed the voting process for the 2008 Lou Marsh Award.

Standardbred Canada had led the charge to have superstar pacing colt Somebeachsomewhere considered for the award, which celebrates Canada's athlete of the year.

Chantal Petitclerc was eventually voted the recipient of this year’s award and SC congratulated her for her tremendous achievements, contributions to Canadian sport and winning the Lou Marsh Award.

During Prime Time Sports, McCown referred to the debate amongst the Lou Marsh voters about whether Somebeachsomewhere could be considered for the award as, "a debate that started stupidly." He did say that he thought the debate was intriguing.

On Tuesday, just prior to the voting, it was announced by the Lou Marsh Committee that only humans be eligible for the award.

McCown also added that he didn't think a horse should be considered for the Lou Marsh Award. He went on to add that he didn't think anyone riding a horse should be considered, either. McCown also said that he didn't agree with auto racing driver Jacques Villeneuve winning the award in 1997. Thoroughbred jockey Sandy Hawley was voted winner of the 1976 Lou Marsh Award.

Click here to listen to the show on fan590.com.

"If there was no law against it, these people [behind the Somebeachsomewhere push] did the right thing by going through the process," Perkins said. "Silken (Committee chair Silken Laumann) immediately passed the law and I'm fine with that -- I figure it should be for people, too."

"Maybe it merits some consideration," said Ormsby, who referred to thoroughbred Curlin captivating the nation with his achievements a couple of seasons ago.

Standardbred Canada will continue its initiative to have Somebeachsomewhere recognized for his tremendous athletic accomplishments in 2008 and will put forth his name to be considered for the Lionel Conacher Award. The Award, also named annually is given to Canada's Male Athlete of the Year. The award, first given in 1932, is voted upon by members of the Canadian Press.

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