Eye Of The Tiger Award
Jim Peterik is the founder of the iconic rock band Survivor and co-writer of the global anthem "Eye of the Tiger". We are forever grateful that Jim is also a longtime advocate and supporter of The H Foundation and the Goombay Bash.
This year, we are thrilled to announce that we have created the first-ever Eye of the Tiger Award, celebrating an individual who, through his or her courageous battle with cancer, epitomizes the fighting spirit at the heart of the song. The award will be presented to our 2024 honoree at the Goombay Bash on July 27.
Ryne Sandberg
2024 Eye of the Tiger Award Recipient
Baseball Hall of Famer, Cubs Legend, Ambassador, Husband, Father, and "Pappi"
Our first annual recipient is legendary Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. In January, Ryne announced he was undergoing treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. His courageous journey has inspired millions, just as his incredible career has united Cubs fans around the world. The award will be presented at the 22nd Annual Goombay Bash on July 27, 2024, an annual fundraiser at the Aon Grand Ballroom at Chicago’s Navy Pier, benefiting basic science cancer research at Northwestern University’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Ryne Sandberg let his glove, bat and legs do the talking on the baseball diamond. And by the time his 16-year career was through, Sandberg's actions had announced him as one of the game's best second basemen.
Sandberg debuted with the Phillies – who had drafted him out of high school in the 20th round of the 1978 MLB Draft – in 1981 as a late-season call-up. Following the 1981 season, the Phillies and Cubs exchanged starting shortstops in a deal that sent Larry Bowa to the Cubs for Iván DeJesus. But to complete the trade, Cubs general manager Dallas Green – who had seen Sandberg while managing the Phillies – insisted on getting Sandberg as well. It was a deal that changed the destiny of the Cubs.
In his rookie season, Sandberg – then playing third base – hit .271 with 33 doubles and 32 stolen bases, finishing sixth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. The following season, the Cubs moved Sandberg to his natural position at second base, where he won the first of his nine straight Gold Glove Awards.
In 1984, Sandberg led the Cubs to their first postseason appearance since the 1945 World Series, hitting .314 and leading the league in runs scored with 114 and triples with 19. He also began turning on the ball at the plate and chipped in 19 homers on his way to the NL Most Valuable Player Award while earning the first of 10 consecutive All-Star Game selections.
In 1989, Sandberg reached the 30-homer mark for the first time in his career. A year later, Sandberg led the NL in homers with 40, while also leading the league in runs (116) and total bases (344) while totaling 100 RBI and 25 steals. He was the first second baseman since Rogers Hornsby in 1925 to lead the NL in homers and the first second baseman ever to hit 30-or-more home runs in consecutive seasons.
When Sandberg retired following the 1997 season, he held the record for most Gold Glove Awards by a second baseman (nine), the most consecutive errorless games by a second baseman (123) and the most home runs by a second baseman (277 of his 282 home runs came as a second baseman). He led all NL second basemen in assists seven times and fielding percentage four times.
Sandberg was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Eye of the Tiger Award Sponsorship
Show your commitment to making a difference by being first ever The Eye of the Tiger Award Sponsor and have the opportunity to be the sustaining sponsor for this award! The award was inspired by long-time H Foundation supporter Jim Peterik, Grammy Award-winning musician with the bands Ides of March and Survivor, and co-writer of the global anthem "Eye of the Tiger".
Sponsorship Benefits:
- Exclusive naming rights to the award: - "The XXX Company Eye of the Tiger Award"
- One (1) Company Representative on stage to present the Eye of the Tiger Award
- Meet & Greet Opportunity for sponsor attendees during Goombay Bash
- Photo opportunity with the Eye of the Tiger Award recipient during Goombay Bash
- Inclusion of company logo on Eye of the Tiger Award
- Inclusion in any pre- or post-event PR as available
- One (1) VIP Priority Seating Table (10 Tickets)
- Logo inclusion in Eye of the Tiger Award introduction video
- Inclusion in all marketing materials pertaining to the Eye of the Tiger Award
- Publicity on all H Foundation social media pages
- Email introduction and sponsorship acknowledgement
- Sustaining sponsorship opportunity