AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Detroit Pistons and American Red Cross - Southeastern Michigan Chapter will honor Courtney Hawkins of Genesee County with The Detroit Pistons and American Red Cross Michigan Heroes Award. On March 7, Hawkins will be recognized on The Palace court at halftime of the Pistons’ 7:30 p.m. game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Board vice chair Melanie Davis from the American Red Cross - Southeastern Michigan Chapter and a Pistons player will honor Hawkins with a Michigan Heroes medal at center court for saving the life of a 19 year-old woman trapped in a house fire just less than a year ago.

Hawkins, a 57 year-old Flint native and resident, noticed the house across the street from his home was burning and ran over to check on his neighbors. When he arrived, a 19 year-old woman with Down syndrome was trapped inside the burning house. After trying unsuccessfully to open the front door, Hawkins got resourceful and noticed that the rest of the family had evacuated by squeezing out of a back window. He encouraged the young lady to come to his voice, but she was very hesitant to approach a stranger. Eventually, Hawkins coaxed the woman to the window, but the opening was too small for her to squeeze through. Hawkins then broke the window pane with his bare hands in order to make enough room for her to fully evacuate the house. He took the entire family to his house for safety until Flint firefighters arrived on the scene.

In its third year, the Detroit Pistons and American Red Cross Michigan Heroes Program encourages fans to nominate a person or group from their local community who has gone above and beyond the call of duty and recognize their accomplishments at a Pistons home game during the 2006-2007 season.

To nominate a hero, who can come from any walk of life, fans only need to complete an on-line nomination form at www.pistons.com , or send name(s), address, phone number and name of school or organization to:

“Detroit Pistons and American Red Cross Michigan Heroes” The Palace of Auburn Hills -- Five Championship Drive -- Auburn Hills, MI 48326

All nominators will be entered for the chance to win an autographed 8x10 Pistons starter photo

Only one entry per person per email address per household will be accepted. Please see www.pistons.com for a complete list of rules/regulations and additional information. For more information on the Pistons Honor Michigan Heroes program or to purchase tickets for any upcoming home game, please contact The Palace at (248) 377-0100 or visit www.pistons.com.