Chicago Fire Goalkeeper Jon Busch Being Honored by Comcast SportsNet and the March of Dimes2008 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Honored for Contributions On and Off the Field CHICAGO, IL (Feb. 9, 2010) – Chicago Fire Soccer Club goalkeeper Jon Busch is being honored as the “Fire of the Year” by Comcast SportsNet at the 22nd annual Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards presented by Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning to benefit the March of Dimes at the Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605) on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 PM CT (Comcast SportsNet). Busch and a number of major league Chicago athletes are being honored for their considerable contributions to their teams as well as the Chicago community. Busch’s off the field work has been as important as his on-field play. The eight-year MLS veteran and backbone of the Fire defense, volunteers his time supporting the Special Olympics of Illinois and is a frequent contributor to the Chicago Fire Foundation, the Fire’s charitable arm dedicated to enriching the quality of life of the Chicagoland community, particularly its youth. To date the Chicago Fire foundation has donated over $1.3 million in grants and contributions to the Chicagoland community. Busch also works closely with Teammates for Kids, a non-profit organization founded by Garth Brooks that exists to develop and implement innovative concepts that generate funds for the benefit of children’s charities. During Busch’s time with the Columbus Crew he worked closely with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients, an organization that has raised more than $10 million since its founding in 1994. Since first stepping into the starting role in 2008, the Albany, New York product has been one of the league’s top goalkeepers. In 2008 he led the league in shutouts (10), was tied for second in wins (13) and second in goals against average (1.10) garnering him the 2008 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Busch returned for an equally impressive 2009. The 33-year-old started and played every minute (2,700) of all 30 regular season matches for the Fire, recording 10 shutouts, 103 saves and 1.13 goals against average while leading the Fire to second place in the Eastern Conference. Busch’s 10 shutouts in 2009 tied him for second in the league with Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller and Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad. Busch joins a number of Chicago’s pro athletes who have been valuable contributors within the city’s sporting community. Along with Busch, this year’s honorees include John Salmons (Bulls), Ryan Dempster (Cubs), A.J. Pierzynski (White Sox), Alex Brown (Bears) and Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks). In addition, Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox legend and future Hall of Famer is this year’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” recipient. This year’s “Farmers Insurance Inspirational Athlete” award winner is 19-year-old Maribel Melendez, who has persevered as an athlete, student, and mentor, despite being born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. The event will begin with a reception at 5:00 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM. The awards ceremony, which will be carried live on Comcast SportsNet in HD, starts at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $300 per person. Tables with preferred seating for 10 are $4,000 each. Regular tables of 10 are available for $3,000. To purchase tickets to the 22nd Annual Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards, please call Amanda Condon at (312) 596-4722 or visit CSNChicago.com.
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