Cardinals president Michael Bidwill (center) is flanked by team owner Bill Bidwill and wideout Larry Fitzgerald late in a victory earlier this season.
Cardinals president Michael* *Bidwill was honored by Midwestern University and local community leaders Saturday night as the winner of this year's COMET (Community Outreach: Motivating Excellence for Tomorrow) Award at the annual "Bright Lights, Shining Stars" gala at Midwestern University.
Established by Midwestern University and the City of Glendale in 1999 to recognize exemplary commitment to education, health care and community service, the COMET award will be presented to Bidwill by Midwestern president & CEO Kathleen H. Goeppinger and Glendale mayor Elaine Scruggs.
"Michael Bidwill's tremendous energy and commitment are invaluable assets to Glendale and to our entire metropolitan region," Scruggs said. "His efforts as a businessman and as a community volunteer have already greatly enhanced our valley's social capital and economic health, and will continue to grow in his new leadership positions."
Bidwill has shown his commitment to the Valley community by serving as Chair of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) while also serving as a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL), an organization composed of the region's top business and civic leaders. He has also been recognized in the past with the Glenn S. "Pop" Warner Award presented annually by the national youth football organization to an individual who has achieved excellence in athletics, scholarship, and life's endeavors with integrity and humanity.
Friday, Bidwill – a licensed pilot -- also took part in a humanitarian effort to fly supplies to a hurricane-ravaged town in Alamos, Mexico.
In addition to Bidwill's award, the gala will also recognize Kristin Parrack with the "Shooting Star" award for her work with the GIFT (Growth Improvement for Female Teens) program. In addition, nine Midwestern University students will receive scholarships in recognition of their "Spirit of Service."
The "Bright Lights, Shining Stars" gala helps raise scholarship funds for students in all of Midwestern University's colleges.
Posted 10/18/08.
