Comedian Mike Goodwin of 'America's Got 'Talent' to keynote Semoball Awards

Southeast Missourian

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Comedian Mike Goodwin be the featured speaker at this year's Semoball Awards to be held July 8.

Submitted

Comedian Mike Goodwin of "America's Got Talent" will keynote the 2022 Semoball Awards next month.

Presented by SoutheastHEALTH, the Semoball Awards will honor athletes and scholar-athletes from 57 schools in Southeast Missouri. The event will be July 8 at La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau.

A native of Camden, South Carolina, Goodwin is a veteran of the U.S. Army and a former primary and secondary education professional. He's appeared on "America's Got Talent" and "Dry Bar Comedy," and on various networks, including Lifetime, BET, Amazon Prime, TBN, Daystar, USA, the Word Network and Circle TV. He has been featured on SiriusXM, the "That Sounds Fun Podcast Tour with Annie F. Downs" and USO Europe Comedy Tour.

"Choosing the right keynote speaker really sets the tone for the event," said Lucas Presson, assistant publisher of the Southeast Missourian. "In years past, attendees have heard inspirational messages from athletes in a variety of sports, including Jennie Finch, Mark Schlereth, David Eckstein, Kyle Maynard, Ricky Horton and Lisa Leslie. In our search for a speaker for the 2022 event, we found Mike's show and thought he would be a great fit for our audience. We're looking forward to hearing Mike bring some laughs to the Semoball Awards."

Mercy is the presenting sponsor of the Semoball Awards, the area’s premier awards show recognizing student-athletes and coaches in Southeast Missouri.

Presson said the annual event is one of the region's best.

"The Semoball Awards is one of the area's marquee events, and Mike's comedy routine will take it to another level this year," Presson said. "We encourage individuals to get their tickets soon. In addition to a great comedic performance, you'll also get to experience an ESPY-like awards show honoring top area athletes. It's an event unlike anything else in Southeast Missouri."

Tickets are on sale now at www.semoball.com/awards. General admission tickets are $40, and a limited number of VIP tickets are available for $100. VIP tickets include a meet-and-greet reception with the keynote speaker prior to the show, heavy appetizers and a chance to walk the red carpet.

The Semoball Awards are presented by SoutheastHEALTH and sponsored by The Bank of Missouri (official bank sponsor), SEMO ESPN, the St. Louis Cardinals, rustmedia and your local newspaper.

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The 2022 Semoball Awards, presented by SoutheastHEALTH, returns to its roots as the awards show goes back to a gala-style format following two years of alternative plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's event will take place on Friday, July 8, at LaCroix Church (3102 Lexington Ave.) in Cape Girardeau, Mo...

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Seriously.....a comedian is the best you could do to honor our exceptional athletes?

-- Posted by The Papa on Thu, Jun 2, 2022, at 9:13 AM
Papa I had the same reaction, but then I thought maybe this person being in the US Army and an educator can deliver a good message to our young athletes! But a comedic routine is planned?

-- Posted by Outfield on Thu, Jun 2, 2022, at 11:31 AM
Gentlemen, thank you for the input. The whole evening is a tribute and honor to the best of the best in high school sports. It's also a show, meant to be fun and uplifting. Michael Goodwin, as you've identified in his background, brings not only fun comedy but an inspiring, life perspective about working hard to achieve dreams (and treating people well along the way). We expect the students and their families will have a great time -- at what promises to be a celebratory, unforgettable event. We also like to shake things up a bit, too. In years past, whether it's been hip-hop performance, electric guitar solo, unexpected guests and videos, there's always something fun and unanticipated. That's why if you ask those who've attended, they'll tell you the Semoball Awards is the best (or one of the best events) of the year! (And, we'll have plenty of professional sports stars involved, too.)

Jon K. Rust (Publisher, SE Missourian)

-- Posted by jrust on Thu, Jun 2, 2022, at 1:18 PM
I think he'll be great to hear from. I've had my share of droning speakers where people sit on their hands for 20-30 minutes bored.

As long has he keeps the humor to PG13 (and I'm sure he will) I think it'll be a good time.

-- Posted by not_sorry on Thu, Jun 2, 2022, at 2:18 PM
Thank you,Jon. I just would have hoped that someone with ties to athletics and is entertaining as well might have been a choice. But this is prejudgement, not knowing the fellow's message.

-- Posted by The Papa on Thu, Jun 2, 2022, at 4:25 PM
Jon, thanks for the response, let ‘er roll!

-- Posted by Outfield on Fri, Jun 3, 2022, at 6:40 AM

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