Kirk Cousins to headline LSJ's sports awards dinner

Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins will join the Lansing State Journal in celebrating the best of high school sports in mid-Michigan.

Cousins, a former Michigan State standout who is coming off his best season as a professional, will be the keynote speaker for the inaugural Greater Lansing Sports Awards.

"I'm just tremendously excited to bring Kirk in," LSJ President and Publisher Brian Priester said. "He's not only a great NFL quarterback and Spartan great, but I think he's a great role model for young athletes.

"It's the first one, and to get a local guy that everybody knows and pretty much loves, we couldn't think of a better way to start off this event."

The Greater Lansing Sports Awards, which are being sponsored by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union and Sparrow, will take place at 6 p.m. June 7 at the Lansing Center. Athletes ranging from basketball to water polo who were named to the Lansing State Journal's Dream Teams or named players of the year for their respective sports will be the LSJ's guests at the event and receive complimentary tickets.

Other special awards, such as Male Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year, will be given at the ceremony.

The event is open to the public and will feature a plated dinner. Tickets are $50 and pre-registration is available at https://tickets.lansingstatejournal.com/e/greater-lansing-high-school-sports-awards-banquet-.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.