Columbia, S.C. Marc Buoniconti, who has become synonymous with the quest for curing paralysis resulting from spinal-cord injuries, has been named as the 2008 recipient of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame Bobby Richardson Sportsmanship Award presented by Peter and Ane DiVenere.

The former linebacker from The Citadel, injured in an October 26, 1985 tackle of an East Tennessee State running back in Johnson City, TN, will accept the award on May 19 at the 48th Annual SCAHOF Induction Banquet at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.  For tickets and additional information, please call 803/779-0905.

Buoniconti, through The Buoniconti Fund and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, has helped raise more than $250 million for research to find a cure.  Treatments developed through The Miami Project have already benefited numerous victims.  Most recently, mild hypothermia research pioneered by Miami Project researchers has been credited with helping former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett recover to the point that he is again walking after being given a grim diagnosis following his football injury.

The Bobby Richardson Award, named in honor of the former New York Yankees second baseman from Sumter, began in 2005 with the first recipient, Dutch Fork football player Kevin Kimrey who suffered a spinal cord injury.  Others to receive the award include former Ben Lippen School running back Sam Gaddo in 2006 and Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey last year.

Richardson will present the award as part of the festivities that include the induction of the SCAHOF's Class of 2008 that includes Mike Dunleavy, Levon Kirkland, Bob Bolin, Ernie Jackson, Dottie Pepper, Carl Williams and Tom Price (posthumously).  Some 40 past legends will return to witness the latest stars to don the blue jacket, symbolic of enshrinement into South Carolina's highest athletic honor.

In 2006, The Citadel retired Buoniconti's jersey and presented him with his class ring in ceremonies televised live on ESPN.