While there are many different categories of awards presented by the Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, some years the Committee finds that there are people deserving of recognition who do not necessarily fit into one specific category. For that reason, the Committee presents the
Jimmy Collins Awards to outstanding individuals and organizations.
Collins was a longtime New Orleans sportswriter who is credited with creating the Greater New Orleans Sports Awards and forming the awards committee in 1958.
Brian Marelo competed against 18,200 fellow racers in the 47th Crescent City Classic on April 19. The 15-year-old entered the race with a goal of 55 minutes and he finished the race in 45 minutes and 52 seconds, faster than 96% of the finishers.
Unlike most of the racers, Marelo competed in a lightweight chair with cantilevered wheels – he has spina bifida; he was born with his spinal cord growing out of his back and doctors said he would likely never be able to get out of bed, let alone walk. He has dealt with many challenges that came with his diagnosis, including epilepsy and hydrocephalus requiring a shunt and has undergone 20 operations in his 15 years.
“I wasn’t supposed to be able to do all these things I currently do,” said Marelo. “You’re only going to hurt yourself if you believe you can’t. But if you try, you might find out that you can.”
He hopes to attend the University of Alabama, which has a renowned adaptive sports program, and he also has 2032 Paralympic ambitions.
