Athletes and celebrities gather to honor action sports icons and musical acts.

Los Angeles, Calif. - The world’s best action sports athletes, musical acts and Hollywood celebrities converged at the Universal Amphitheatre to honor the top athletes in action sports and the music that drives their culture. Mat Hoffman received the Action Sports Achievement Award while several other action sport icons graced the stage to thank the industry and the fans.

The awards were presided over by host Jay Mohr and featured performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z with an all-star band, X-Ecutioners featuring Xzibit and Static X, Unwritten Law and 3rd Strike. Awards were presented to athletes who have excelled in their sport and determined by a panel of their contemporaries and peers.

The festivities began with athletes, performers and presenters arriving on the “Green Carpet.” The lime-green colored shag carpet appeared at the inaugural event last year and was a huge success as a hip spin on the tradition pre-show ceremony. Once again the event was filled with glitter and glamour. The action sports icons traded in their T-shirts and baggy pants for designer duds and trendy threads.

Awards were presented in 17 categories, highlighted by the athlete of the year from BMX, Skateboarding, Motocross, Surfing, Skiing and Snowboarding. Although all the recipients gave emotional and heart-felt thanks, Hoffman’s acceptance was humble thanking all of those both in and out of the “Hoffman” family that have helped him get to where he is today. Hoffman said he was honored by the award and even gave a special thanks to his doctor for patching him up time and time again.

As the lights dimmed and ceremony got underway, there was a feeling of history in the making. Following the success of the inaugural showcase last year, the second annual Action Sports & Music Awards did not disappoint again demonstrating that rock stars and action sports span the cultural gap hand-in-hand.

The one-of-a-kind event that fuses the top action sports athletes and cutting-edge musical artists will be televised on ESPN Tuesday, April 16 at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT).

The following is a list of the 2002 ESPN Action Sports & Music Awards Fueled by Mountain Dew:

Action Sports Achievement Award:
Mat Hoffman

Action Sports & Music Artist Contribution Award:
Red Hot Chili Peppers

Action Sports Feat of the Year:
People’s Choice Award Recipient: Jim Rippey, Back flip on a snowmobile

BMX Rider of the Year:
Male: Van Homan

BMX Musical Artist of the Year:
Slayer

BMX People’s Choice Award:
Dave Mirra

Motocross Rider of the Year:
Ricky Carmichael

Motocross Musical Artist of the Year:
Pennywise

Motocross People’s Choice Award:
Travis Pastrana

Motocross Music Artist:
People’s Choice Award: Sum 41

Skateboarder of the Year:
Eric Koston

Skateboarding’s Musical Artist of the Year:
Jay-Z

Skateboarding People’s Choice Award:
Bob Burnquist

Skier of the Year:
Male: Seth Morrison
Female: Aleisha Cline

Skiing’s Musical Artist of the Year:
Outkast

Skiing People’s Choice Award Male:Tanner Hall
Female: Sarah Burke

Snowboarder of the Year:
Male: Kevin Jones
Female: Natasza Zurek

Snowboarding’s Musical Artist of the Year:
Radiohead Snowboarding's People’s Choice Award: Male-Danny Kass
Female-Tara Dakides

Surfer of the Year
Male: Mick Fanning
Female: Keala Kennelly

Surfing’s Musical Artist of the Year:
Jack Johnson

Surfing's People’s Choice Award: Male: TJ Hobgood
Female: Megan Abubo

Contact:
Melissa Gullotti, 860-766-7216, melissa.c.gullotti@espn.com
Shelby Meade, 310-396-6772, shelbyfreshclean@aol.com

Additional media information, including athlete bios, photos from the event and more on the ESPN Action Sports & Music Awards Fueled by Mountain Dew can be found at www.espneventmedia.com.

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