Special Thanks: This press release was authored by The Anthony Muñoz Foundation.
CINCINNATI, OH (April 2, 2024)—The Anthony Muñoz Foundation has chosen Kim Nuxhall as the recipient of the 2024 Jim & Cheryl Semon Impact Award. Nuxhall will be recognized at the Foundation’s Hall of Fame Dinner, presented by Furniture Fair, on June 9th at the Manor House in Mason, OH.
The Jim & Cheryl Semon Impact Award was created in honor of Jim Semon and the late Cheryl Semon. Jim was the Director of Parks and Recreation in Anthony Muñoz’s childhood community. Semon became Muñoz’s baseball coach and male role model. The winner of this award is given to a member of the community who dedicates themselves to making a difference in the lives of youth and exemplifies all that Jim and Cheryl Semon were to Muñoz. This year’s recipient, Kim Nuxhall, a long-time friend of the Foundation, President & Board Chairman of The Nuxhall Foundation and son of the late major league pitcher and Reds broadcaster, Joe Nuxhall, embodies a legacy of service which his father and Muñoz share – developing leadership and character in young minds through building up our community.
“To receive an award that has such deep & personal meaning to a person whom I’ve always looked up to with the highest of reverence in Anthony Munoz, makes the Jim & Cheryl Semon Impact Award as meaningful of an award that I’ve ever received,” says Nuxhall. “I am truly touched, honored and so very grateful.”
A Cincinnati native whose roots lie in Hamilton and Fairfield, Nuxhall taught elementary gym for 32 years in the Fairfield City Schools, later focusing on character education. In 2010, Nuxhall set out to execute Joe’s vision, The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields—an entirely accessible baseball and recreational facility where every player with every challenge gets every chance to play. With the support of The Hatton Foundation and other charitable partners, The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields at Hatton Park opened in July of 2012, realizing the late Joe Nuxhall’s vision. Since opening in 2012, more than 200 players between ages 4 to 80 participate in programs at the Miracle League Fields. Additionally, the fields host more than 1,000 individuals with special needs annually through school visits and other programs.
While Joe didn't live to see the reality of the fields, his dedication and passion for the cause was inherited by Kim, who managed to instill that same passion in his work and in those who support The Nuxhall Foundation. That passion led Kim to form a corps of like-minded people that could make the dream of a "Miracle League" baseball park a reality. In addition, Kim and The Nuxhall Foundation are champions of character education in the community. Through the years, Nuxhall has implemented character and leadership development through The Joe Nuxhall Character Education Fund, and the dreams of countless student-athletes in the Tri-State region have been realized thanks to the generosity of The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarship. Currently, The Nuxhall Foundation is currently embarking on a new project to build The Hope Center; a 30,000 square foot indoor recreational facility designed specifically for athletes with physical and developmental disabilities.
Nuxhall joins a legacy of illustrious and altruistic Jim & Cheryl Semon Impact Award honorees, including Bruce Kozerski (2023), Ed Hartman (2022), Beth & Todd Guckenberger (2021), Randall McDaniel (2019), Buddy LaRosa (2018), Francie & Tom Hiltz (2017), Alex Lopez (2016), Abe Harris (2015), Dan & Sandie Bloomfield (2014), Daniel Minera (2013), Andy Olds (2012), Bill Kinane (2011), Sam Bonasso (2010), Jack Cassidy (2009), Paul Brondhaver (2008), Ben Huffine (2007), and Jim Semon (2006).
About the Anthony Muñoz Foundation
Established as a non-profit organization in April of 2002, the Anthony Muñoz Foundation’s mission is to engage the Tri-State region to impact youth mentally, physically, and spiritually. The Foundation reaches out to underprivileged youth to recognize, and reward those who excel in all phases of life. Through the foundation’s seven impact programs, which include scholarship opportunities, character camps, a tutoring program and a leadership seminar, thousands of area youth are empowered. More information can be found at munozfoundation.org and on our Twitter and Facebook page.
About The Nuxhall Foundation
The Nuxhall Foundation is the legacy foundation for former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, Joe Nuxhall. A central project of The Nuxhall Foundation is The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields—an entirely accessible baseball and recreational facility where every player with every challenge gets every chance to play. More than 200 players between ages 4 to 80 participate in programs at the Miracle League Fields.
For more information, visit http://www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org.
For all media inquiries or to schedule an appearance, please contact:
Tyler Bradshaw
(513) 839-6164
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