LeRoy Neiman print donated to Sports Academy museum

Jeff Hosterman of Fairhope has donated an autographed print by sport artist LeRoy Neiman to the United States Sports Academy’s American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA).

“Portrait of a Tiger” depicts a colorful tiger staring off the canvas and stalking in the grass, featuring bright oranges, yellows and greens. Hosterman noted the tiger is the mascot of his alma mater, Princeton University.

He said some might associate the gift with the Auburn University mascot, which would complement another of the more popular Neiman prints at ASAMA — an image of legendary University of Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Neiman was honored by the Academy in 2007 with its Sport Artist of the Year Award. Neiman died in 2012 at the age of 91.

Instantly recognized by his handlebar mustache, Neiman became widely known through his appearances on live television painting athletes at the very moments they were competing. Several of his works are on display at ASAMA.

Fairhope resident Jeff Hosterman, left, recently donated an autographed print, “Portrait of a Tiger,” by LeRoy Neiman, famed sport artist and 2007 United States Sports Academy Sport Artist of the Year, to the Academy’s American Sport Art Museum & Archives (ASAMA). Receiving is Academy President and CEO Dr. T.J. Rosandich.

Hosterman recently moved to Fairhope after retiring from the electronic banking industry in Atlanta. He said a visit to ASAMA as a new resident in the community inspired him to make the gift.

“The American Sport Art Museum and Archives is a beautiful place,” he said. “The museum is the right place for this art, not at my home, so people can enjoy it with the rest of the great art here.”

Former Academy President and CEO Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, who founded ASAMA in 1984, praised Neiman for his ability to portray sport action quickly through a variety of mediums.

“LeRoy Neiman’s name is synonymous with sport art,” Rosandich said. “When anyone would talk about sport art, they would inevitably mention his name. No one contributed more to sport art than he did with his presence on TV turning out great art. He was just as colorful as his paintings.”

Neiman was the official artist at five Olympiads and his role in pop culture spanned four decades. Neiman’s powerful imagery of boxing, especially of Muhammad Ali, earned him induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007.

Founded in 1984 and located on the academy campus, ASAMA is dedicated to the preservation of sports art, history and literature. The ASAMA collection comprises more than 1,800 works of sport art. The museum is open free to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. For more information, go to www.asama.org.

Heart for Athletes plans edible fundraiser

The story of the nonprofit Heart for Athletes group has appeared several times in Lagniappe. Amy Cockrell helped to begin the program after her son, Sam, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) at the age of 16.

The competitive triathlete collapsed while swimming in a pool. A family medicine resident at University of South Alabama was present and quickly analyzed the situation to save Sam’s life.

Heart for Athletes was founded to achieve two goals: first, to identify athletes ages 13 to 18 who are at risk of SCA; second, to ensure people are aware of the signs of SCA and have instructions on how to respond.

To help pay for these tests, the Ribs for Hearts campaign began. The cost of one slab is $25. Families and businesses may also serve as a sponsor with a $100 donation, which can cover the screening of five teens. All proceeds go to screenings and cardiopulmonary resuscitation/automated external defibrillator awareness.

Since the program began, 1,364 athletes have been screened and 17 AEDs have been placed in the community. All of this was done at no charge to the recipients.

The deadline to order ribs is April 24. The pickup will be May 5 at the Spanish Fort Community Center (7561 Spanish Fort Blvd.). Call 251-510-7263 or email info@heartforathletes.org.

Commercial crab catcher meeting set

The Alabama Marine Resources Division will host a meeting about commercial crabbing April 24, 10-11 a.m., at the South Bay Coastal Response Center in Coden (7385 State Route 188).

This meeting is open to the public. Those involved in the commercial blue crab industry are encouraged to attend. Topics will include information and feedback pertaining to recent laws and regulations, as well as derelict crab trap removal.

Call 251-861-2882 or email jason.herrmann@dcnr.alabama.gov or scott.bannon@dcnr.alabama.gov.

Williams to speak in Fairhope

Donations are being sought to support higher literacy levels in Baldwin County by sponsoring a Fairhope Rotary Youth Club member. Sherman Williams, former University of Alabama star and Super Bowl XXX winner, will speak April 27 at Fairhope High School from 6-8 p.m.

Williams will discuss his experiences, including his football glory days and wrong turns. He hopes to deter children from making the same mistakes he made during his life, and to inspire attendees on what is possible.

The goal of the requested $20 tax-deductible donation is to help increase literacy levels and decrease crime in the community by providing a copy of Williams’ book to a child in attendance. The event is part of the Building Future Leaders spring program. Donations can be made via this link, provided by Celebration Church: http://bit.ly/GIVETOROTARY/.

Swinney helps support UM

More than $120,000 was raised for student scholarships at the sold-out 13th annual University of Mobile Scholarship Banquet with keynote speaker Dabo Swinney. The Clemson head football coach and former University of Alabama wide receiver shared his “fundamentals for excellence,” along with insights into the game of football, life lessons and a call to support the mission of UM.

The university’s Voices of Mobile and Ram Corps ensembles entertained the audience of more than 700 at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. The banquet, with title sponsor Seymour, a student development company that provides area students with hands-on experience in a professional environment, is the largest fundraising event each year for the Christian university.

“As we think about the many students who will receive scholarships made possible through the annual scholarship banquet, we are thankful for a community that supports and partners with us to provide higher education for a higher purpose,” UM President Timothy L. Smith said.