SANDY, Utah – For the second consecutive year, Real Salt Lake midfielder and captain Kyle Beckerman was voted best Pro/Olympian Male Athlete at the Utah Governor’s State of Sports Awards, hosted by the Utah Sports Commission and presented by Zions Bank. The annual awards celebrate the achievements made in high school, amateur, collegiate, Olympic and professional sports in the state of Utah.
Beckerman was one of eight nominees in his category after he captained RSL to a seventh consecutive playoff appearance and fifth consecutive season of at least 15 wins and 50 points. He also represented the U.S. National Team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he started all three Group Stage matches as the U.S. advanced to the Round of 16 for the second consecutive World Cup.
Beckerman also won the award a year ago when he helped RSL reach a second MLS Cup final in five seasons. RSL GK Nick Rimando previously won the honor at the 2013 event.
Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert spoke at the ceremony Tuesday at EnergySolutions Arena where the 10 winners were announced at the awards dinner. Late night TV show host and comedian Jay Leno was a special guest at the event, along with this year’s lifetime achievement winner, Stein Eriksen.
