David Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Chris Evert join Cindi Bigelow at Sports Illustrated 2011 Sportsman of the Year Awards

"Big Papi" (David Ortiz) with Cindi Bigelow

I was so excited to be able to attend the Sports Illustrated Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year event in NYC Tuesday night.  I met incredible athletes including Chris Evert, Sugar Ray Leonard, David Robinson, Wayne Gretzky, and David Ortiz (Big Papi).

I was honored to be in the presence of this year’s honorees, Pat Summit and Mike Krzyzewski.  Their acceptance speeches captivated the entire audience as they reflected on their life journeys and spoke about commitment and dedication to the principals of teamship and excellence. Most important was that they honored the players they met and worked with throughout their careers.

I’d like to extend my heartiest congratulations to Coach Summit and Coach Krzyzewski!

Cindi Bigelow

Wayne Gretzky is best known for his professional hockey prowess, but the Great One also played an historic role in Olympic Hockey with several Canadian National Hockey teams; first as a star player on the 1998 Olympics Team, and then as team manager for the 2002 and 2006 Olympic squads. And it was that 2002 team, with The Great One leading the charge, which struck Olympic Gold in Salt Lake City, winning Canada’s first Olympic gold medal for Hockey in 50 years–to the day! Now Gretzky has made history again by lighting the 2010 Winter Olympic Flame in Vancouver, B.C.!

Gretzky has spent many hours, days, and years on the ice so it should be no surprise that he enjoys a brisk cup of hot Bigelow Green Tea! It was just this last December that Wayne Gretzky became Bigelow Tea’s newest spokesperson, a member of the exclusive Bigelow Tea Family of superstar competitors from the sports world, that take great pleasure in their Bigelow Tea!

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

From his heady days as an Edmonton Oiler and four Stanley Cup championships, to his success with the Los Angeles Kings and ending his career as a proud New York Ranger, Gretzky has impressed hockey fans with his unmistakable and unique style. With his teams, he broke countless hockey records and set a new standard for the sport. As you follow the 2010 Olympic Hockey players, and all of your favorite athletes during these Winter Olympic Games, be sure to keep warm with (several) cups of Bigelow Tea, right along with the Great One!

On behalf of my family and all of the employees at Bigelow Tea, I’d like to express our warmest congratulations to Wayne Gretzky on the honor of lighting the 2010 Winter Olympic Flame in Vancouver, B.C.

We are proud of Wayne as a representative of the Bigelow brand and his lifelong accomplishments in hockey. He is a true ambassador in so many aspects of his life and we are honored to call him a good friend!

Cindi Bigelow, President