Eric Snow of the Cleveland Cavaliers is the 2005 recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.
The Kennedy Citizenship award is the oldest citizenship and community service award in the NBA and is named for the second commissioner of the league.  The award honors an NBA player or coach for outstanding service and dedication to the community.

"I am honored to have been selected for such a prestigious award,? said Snow.  ?To now be mentioned in the company of those past and even future recipients who spend so much of their time, energy and resources in service to others is truly a blessing.  I hope that my being recognized will be an inspiration to others in the same way that others have inspired me."

Snow established the Full Court Fathers Program this season, which promotes, encourages and rewards positive father-child relationships.  During the 2004-05 season, 40 father-son and 40 father-daughter pairs were honored at Cavaliers home games and had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Snow.

Snow?s Shoot 4 The Moon Foundation, initially established in the Philadelphia-area in 1997, was introduced to the Canton, Cleveland and surrounding areas of Northeast Ohio when Snow became a Cavalier last summer.  The foundation is dedicated to supporting and strengthening communities and families by placing an emphasis on community activities aimed at empowering and encouraging fathers.  Snow also hosted the inaugural Shoot 4 The Moon Basketball Camp in November 2004.

Through the Steals and Assists Program, Snow donated twenty dollars for every steal and twenty dollars for every assist he made during the 2004-05 regular season to local non-profit agencies.  With 67 steals and 317 assists this season, Snow donated a total of $7,680.  Over two seasons as a Philadelphia 76er, Snow donated close to $20,000 to four Philadelphia-area fatherhood programs.

"The PBWA is proud to present Eric Snow with the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship award for 2005," said Steve Aschburner, president of the PBWA. "Eric's commitment to strong family values through his Full Court Fathers program reminds people that the No. 1 role model for most kids should be the man involved in their daily lives, not an athlete in a colorful uniform whom they mostly see on TV. His work at father-son and father-daughter relationships is genuine, too, based on the richness of time he has spent with his dad, Hubert, and on the leadership Eric tries to provide for his own children."

The five finalists this season were Snow, Adonal Foyle of the Golden State Warriors, Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons and Shaquille O?Neal of the Miami Heat.