Past winners

Candidates are nominated by members of the Star Tribune Sports department, and a selection committee of staff members makes the final choice.

2008: LINDSEY VONN

From Burnsville's Buck Hill to the World Cup, Vonn became the most successful downhill skier in U.S. history and the first American woman in 25 years to win the World Cup overall championship.

2007: ADRIAN PETERSON

The Vikings rookie sensation became an instant star and in only his eighth game set an NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards against the Chargers.

2006: MINNESOTA TWINS ORGANIZATION

A playoff team with a Cy Young Award winner (Johan Santana), an MVP (Justin Morneau) and a batting champ (Joe Mauer) also got approval for a new outdoor stadium.

Virtually unnoticed by recruiters, the consensus All-America center became one of the greatest Gophers.

2004: LINDSAY WHALEN

The driving force behind the transformation of the Gophers women's basketball program.

2003: JOHN GAGLIARDI

The St. John's coach earned his 409th victory on Nov. 8, 2003, becoming college football's winningest coach, and his team won an NCAA Division III title.

The Hennepin County judge issued a restraining order that kept the Twins out of baseball's contraction plans.

2001: JOE MAUER

The baseball, basketball and football star at Cretin-Derham Hall was one of the all-time great prep athletes.

2000: JAC SPERLING

The Wild's chief executive officer led the NHL back to Minnesota and started the rally to build the "X."

The Gophers' most successful football season in three decades earned him Coach of the Year honors from his Big Ten peers.

1998: RANDALL CUNNINGHAM