Ned Yost, Eric Berry, Becky Sauerbrunn to be honored by Sports Commission

Kansas City’s sports successes of 2015 are reflected in the 43rd Kansas City Sports Commission Awards to be presented at the annual banquet on April 18.

Royals manager Ned Yost, Chiefs safety Eric Berry and FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn will be honored during the event at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown-Muehlebach Tower.

They’ll join Sprint Center general manager and senior vice president Brenda Tinnen and Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte as award winners.

The Sports Commission is celebrating its 50th year.

Here are the winners:

Brenda Tinnen: Waddell & Reed Executive of the Year

Tinnen was appointed general manager of the Sprint Center in 2005, two years before it opened. She’s helped create one of the nation’s busiest arenas.

Eric Berry: KC Marriott Downtown Sportsman of the Year

Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in December, 2014. He returned to the Chiefs in 2015 and turned in an All-Pro season at safety for a team that won its first playoff game in more than two decades.

Becky Sauerbrunn: Kansas City Life Sportswoman of the Year

Considered one of the world’s top defenders, Sauerbrunn played every minute during the U.S. run to the World Cup championship last year. She’s the three-time NWLS Defender of the Year.

Ned Yost: Burns & McConnell Coach of the Year

Yost joined Dick Howser as Royals managers who have won a World Series, and he’s the first in franchise history to guide his team to successive American League pennants. Yost became the longest-tenured Royals manager last season.

Chief Darryl Forte: Children’s Mercy Community Champion

The Police Athletic League used sports and activities to bridge the gap between the Police Department and community. Forte oversees the program that has become a national model.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 10:02 AM.