Akers named recipient of Iba Award

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Michelle Akers, a member of the 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup championship soccer team, has been named a recipient of the 2000 Henry P. Iba Citizen-Athlete Award. <br><br>The award

Wednesday, April 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Michelle Akers, a member of the 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup championship soccer team, has been named a recipient of the 2000 Henry P. Iba Citizen-Athlete Award.

The award recognizes athletes who have excelled in their sport and have shown by their actions a desire to help others.

Akers dominated the inaugural women's World Cup with 10 goals in 1991 and at age 33 led the 1999 women's team. She is training for the 2000 Olympics.

Akers founded Soccer Outreach International in 1998 with the intent of inspiring and motivating children to reach their full potential. She also is an advocate for the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America.

She suffers from the ailment, which causes feverish symptoms, low blood pressure and migraine headaches.

The Iba Award is given annually to a male and female athlete who best exemplify citizenship in the image of Iba, former Oklahoma State and U.S. Olympic basketball coach.

Akers will be honored June 19 in Tulsa along with male recipient Dikembe Mutombo.