Cox Sports Television and Eident Sports Marketing recently announced that it plans to recognize Rhode Island's top athletes, coaches and teams through the creation of the Cox Rhode Island Sports Awards, to be held June 21 at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

They provide more details in this release:

Cox Sports Television, (Cox Ch.3) Rhode Island’s regional sports network, will title sponsor the 2007 Cox RI Sports Awards. Cox Sports TV, in partnership with Eident Sports Marketing, will honor the Ocean State’s best high school scholar athletes from each sport for every season as well as the Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, School Spirit Award and many more. A highlight show of the awards will be broadcast on Cox Sports TV.

“Heralding the talent and accomplishments of Rhode Island athletes has long been the strategic advantage of Cox Sports Television,” said Paul Cronin, vice president and region manager, Cox Communications. “The establishment of the RI Sports Awards is an extension of our commitment to the athletic community, and in particular, those high school athletes who are dedicated to their respective sports, their schools and their communities.”

“The RI Sports Awards are yet another example of exclusive, compelling content you won’t find on any other cable TV provider in the State,” continued Cronin. “Just as we expect from our Lifetime Achievement Award and Breakthrough Athlete of the Year recipients, CST continues to be synonymous with Rhode Island, competition and exclusive, compelling entertainment.”

Tom Mezzanotte, Executive Director of the RIIL, says "The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) and its member high schools are extremely excited about the Cox RI Sports Award. Through the years, Cox Sports has been a great advocate and supporter of our athletes and high school sports in general. We are proud to be working with Cox Sports to recognize the achievements of our fine student athletes."

In addition to honoring the high school scholar athletes, the Cox RI Sports Award will award a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Breakthrough Athlete of the Year. These two awards will honor recipients who have ties to the Rhode Island athletic community and best exemplify the Ocean State.

“Eident Sports Marketing is proud to partner with an industry leader in Cox Communications,” said John Mathews, President, Eident Sports Marketing. “We appreciate Cox Communications commitment to high school athletics in Rhode Island and look forward to this great event.”

For more information, please visit www.risportsawards.com.