Do you have a favorite athlete or coach in the Triangle who deserves recognition? Do you know a high school senior who has excelled in both academics and athletics?

The Greater Raleigh Sports Council is accepting nominations through Dec. 11 for its seventh annual awards ceremony celebrating amateur and professional sports in the Triangle.

The 2010 Evening of Champions, presented by SunTrust in partnership with 99.9 The Fan and 620 The Buzz will be held on Feb. 23, 2010 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Research Triangle Park. The awards banquet honors individuals, teams, and organizations for excellence in sports and their positive impact on the community.

The award nomination process is open to the public. Nominations may be submitted through Dec. 11 at thesportscouncil.org. Awards categories include:

Top Sports Moment of 2009

Sports Person of 2009

Lifetime Achievement Award

Carolina Scholastic Hockey League Community Spirit Award

Backyard Bistro Amateur Athletics Award

John Freehafer Sports Volunteer of 2009

Touchstone Energy Courage/Character Award

CARQUEST Auto Parts Scholar Athletes of the Year

The CARQUEST Auto Parts Scholar Athlete Awards will recognize one male and one female high school senior student-athlete who have excelled academically, athletically, and are active in community service. Each winner will receive a $1,250 scholarship to be used at an institution of higher learning. Applications are available on the Sports Council's Web site.

More than 400 people are expected to attend the 2010 Evening of Champions, chaired this year by Jim Goodmon, president and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Co. The event will include a silent auction benefiting the Greater Raleigh Sports Council.

Notable winners from the 2009 Evening of Champions include Sports Person of the Year Mike Krzyzewski of Duke University, and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Tom Suiter of WRAL.

Tables of eight for the 2010 Evening of Champions are on sale now for $2,000 (Champions Table Sponsor) and $1,500 (Gold Medal Table Sponsor). Tables may be purchased online at thesportscouncil.org.