Rochester Sports Banquet
- Rochester Event Center
Event Details
For Twenty years Rochester Sports has hosted the Rochester Sports Banquet and each year it continues to be a highlight around the community. The Banquet recognizes area athletes, coaches and teams on their hard work, dedication and commitment to amateur sports. Each year a guest speaker shares a message with the attendees, that promotes the ideas that amateur athletics is all about.
While the evening is all about the athletes and sharing the special night with families and friends, there is also a Silent Auction that takes place throughout the evening. The Sports Banquet designates an organization to donate the proceeds of the auction to and the support of items whether it be sports memorabilia, gift cards, tickets to events, etc have grown each and every year.
If you have questions about the Sports Banquet or are interested in attending please email Bryant Schmidt, bschmidt@rochestermnsports.org, to answer any questions. We look forward to seeing you all at the 20th Annual Sports Banquet in February of 2026!
Guest Speaker
Our 2025 Rochester MN Sports Banquet Guest Speaker is Marney Gellner!
Marney’s sports broadcasting career started in 1996 at a small TV station in Bismarck, ND. She worked her way up to the Twin Cities and has been a fixture with Minnesota pro sports teams for the last 20+ years. A multiple Emmy award winner, Marney has established herself as one of the most versatile voices in the area.
She made history as the first woman to ever call play-by-play for both the Timberwolves and the Twins. Marney has also worked as a sideline reporter, studio host, feature reporter, coaches’ show host and podcast host. She fancies herself as a Jack of all trades, master of none.
Marney was born and raised in North Dakota. She now lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and their two teenagers.
Event Information
Schedule of Events
- 4:30- Reception & Silent Auction
- 5:30- Dinner
- 6:30- Program
- VIP Social Following the Program
Sports Benefit Auction Information: This year’s silent auction will see 100% of the proceeds go to the Rochester Sports Foundation Community Grant Program
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ticket Information - Limited to 550 tickets
- Individual Tickets: $50.00
- Student Tickets: $30.00
- Business Table: $450.00
- Half Business Table: $250.00
- Full General Table: $400
- To purchase tickets: CLICK HERE!
- Ticket DEADLINE - Jan. 22nd
- Tickets will NOT be sold at the door
Sponsor Information
The Rochester Sports Banquet is a great opportunity to get your businesses' name out in front of a large group of local athletes, parents, and fans. We are in the process of securing the 2026 Category Sponsors. Contact Bryant with Rochester Sports for more details at: bschmidt@rochestermnsports.org or 507-280-4725.
- Award Category Sponsor: $500.00
2025 Rochester Sports Banquet Sponsors:
- Eagle Rock Bank
- ABC 6 News-KAAL TV
- Rochester Event Center
- SPONSOR AVAILABLE-Adaptive Athlete/Team of the Year
- SPONSOR AVAILABLE-Coach of the Year
- SPONSOR AVAILABLE-Female Athlete of the Year
- SPONSOR AVAILABLE-Male Athlete of the Year
- SPONSOR AVAILABLE-Lifetime Achievement Award
- SPONSOR AVAILABLE-Post Secondary Female Athlete of the Year
- SPONSOR AVAILABLE-Post Secondary Male Athlete of the Year
- SPONSOR AVAILABLE-Team of the Year
Media Sponsors
Resources
- Past Winners
- Table Sales and Category Sponsor Information
- Nominating Form
- Nominating Process and Committee
- 2025 Finalists
Location
All-Star Restaurants
- Featured restaurant
Beetle's Bar And Grill
Beetle's Bar and Grill230 20th Avenue SouthwestRochester, MN 55902Beetle's Bar and Grill, conveniently located 2 blocks west of St. Mary's Hospital on 2nd Street. We feature a full lunch and dinner menu with everything from burgers to broasted chicken and wraps to ribeyes. Enjoy outdoor dining while the weather is warm on our patio.
- Featured restaurant
Bowlocity
2810 North Broadway AvenueRochester, MN 55906Grab a bite to eat in our Sports Bar! We offer a menu featuring delicious pizzas, burgers, appetizers and more! We have great lunch specials as well!
- Featured restaurant
Chick-Fil-A
1201 Broadway Avenue SouthRochester, MN 55904We’re proud to be your nearest Chick-fil-A®, serving freshly prepared food crafted with quality ingredients every day of the week (except Sunday, of course). Our restaurant offers everything from Chick-fil-A menu classics, like the original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Nuggets and Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries®, to breakfast, salads, treats, Kid’s Meals and more. Feeding a group? Our Chick-fil-A location also offers a variety of catering options, perfect for your next get-together. On this page, you can check out our operating hours as well as the dining options that are currently available at our restaurant.
If you’re looking for great food nearby, it’s our pleasure to serve you. - Featured restaurant
Red Cow
Red Cow217 14th Ave. SW, Suite #100Rochester, MN 55902507-361-7910Family owned and locally operated since 2013, Red Cow provides a sophisticated twist on the classic neighborhood tavern. We celebrate finely crafted eats and drinks with a focus on gourmet burgers, craft beers and fine wine. #Followtheherd to Red Cow!
- Featured restaurant
Nautical Bowls
230 20th Avenue SouthwestRochester, MN 55902WE KNOW IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND A QUICK MEAL WITHOUT COMPROMISING YOUR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. AT NAUTICAL BOWLS, WE COMBINE HEALTHY, FRESH SUPERFOOD BOWLS WITH AN UPLIFTING ATMOSPHERE, GIVING YOU ENERGY TO LIVE A FULL LIFE.
- Featured restaurant
Twigs
401 6th Street SouthwestRochester, MN 55902Located within the Centerstone Plaza Hotel, Twigs offers a unique dining experience. Features a separate dedicated gluten-free kitchen and innovative dishes using only the freshest ingredients available. Order small plates for easy sharing with a group, or gather around a Hot Rock, a 650° rock that is brought to your table where you can cook and season your entree to your liking.
- Featured restaurant
Wildwood Sports Bar and Grill
Wildwood1517 16th Street SouthwestRochester, MN 55902507.226.8380Our mission is to provide excellent eats and drinks in a casual, fun environment, and there’s no place we’d rather do it than right here in southeast Minnesota. - Featured restaurant
Tavern 22 Neighborhood Grill
Tavern 223401 Northern Valley Place NortheastRochester, MN 55906507.258.4445Dine-in. Outdoor seating. In-store pickup.
The Tavern 22 Neighborhood Grill is located along 37th Street Northeast just east of the CMX Chateau Theater Complex.
- Featured restaurant
The American Legion Post #92
915 21st Avenue SoutheastRochester, MN 55904Good Eats. Good Drinks. Good Company at The American Legion Post #92 " Your Home Away From Home" - Rochester, MN.
Starter Restaurants
- Featured restaurant
Indigo Bowls
2571 Clare Lane NortheastRochester, MN 55906507-261-6345Established in early 2023, Indigo Açaí Bowls continues to grow from a food truck concept into a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 2571 Clare Lane in Rochester, Minnesota. Committed to providing healthier alternatives, their handcrafted, made-to-order açaí bowls are a nutritious and refreshing treat. The mobile food truck, powered entirely by solar energy, extends their reach, bringing their eco-friendly, compostable bowls and utensils to special events. With a mission to promote a greener planet, Indigo Açaí Bowls is not only delicious but sustainable and innovative too.
Additional Restaurants
Whistle Binkies
3120 Wellner Drive NortheastRochester, MN 55906Whistle Binkies offers two convenient locations to serve you on both the North and South ends of Rochester. The large menu features delicious appetizers, entrees, soups, salads, specialty sandwiches, wraps, desserts, and much more! Ranked as the best bar in Minnesota by "Business Insider" in March 2016.
South Location:
247 Woodlake Dr SE, Rochester, MN 55904
507-424-1227