DAPHNE, Ala.- Longtime President of the Federation Internationale Cinema Television Sportifs (FICTS) Franco Ascani will be honored with the 2009 Distinguished Service Award from the United States Sports Academy on 30 October 2009. Mina P. Valyraki will present the award as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Academy.

  

A specialist in communication, sports marketing and organization of events, Dr. Ascani has been President of the Federation Internationale Cinema Television Sportifs (FICTS) since 1995.

FICTS is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its promotion of sports in television and motion pictures.

The author of five books on sports management, Dr. Ascani is an internationally recognized authority on sports communication who has lectured at the master’s and undergraduate levels in sports law, sports management, sports marketing and the sociology of sport.

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is given annually to those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national or international sports through instruction, research or service. Each nominee must possess an extensive background in sports, meaning the individual has had significant dealings in instruction, research or service in sports for more than 10 years.

The DSA is separate from the Academy's Awards of Sport and each recipient also receives the coveted Order of the Eagle Exemplar for their achievements.

The United States Sports Academy is an independent, nonprofit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and the world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports. For more information, call 251-626-3303 or visit the Academy’s website at www.ussa.edu.