The 2004 Brian Saltus Award

The Brian Saltus Award was established to annually recognize someone not only for his/her poker accomplishments, but also for his/her exemplary standards of behavior both at and away from the table. The winner of the Brian Saltus Award is a person who is respected in the industry and who brings class and dignity to the game.

For those who may not know of him, here's a little bit about Brian Saltus. Simply put, he was an amazing man. He burst onto the poker scene by winning a no-limit hold'em event at the 2001 Orleans Open and capturing the 2001 Tournament of Champions a few days later.

When the 2001 TOC came down to the final four players, it was the unknown Brian Saltus from Boise, Idaho, against three of the most successful tournament players of all time – T.J. Cloutier, Scotty Nguyen, and "Miami" John Cernuto. No one thought Brian had a chance to beat these guys, but he did, and convincingly.

While the audience sat stunned following his victory, Brian took the microphone and gave a speech that will be remembered forever by those of us who were lucky enough to have been there. He said he felt honored to have been able to compete with such outstanding opponents, and then he spoke of his own health problems and the problems he had to face on a daily basis to survive, let alone play poker.

He continued by telling everyone that poker was his passion, but what really mattered was "the love of family and appreciation of health and life itself." There wasn't a dry eye in the house. It was a very special night – one that should be put in a frame and hung on the wall.

PartyPoker.com and Card Player Cruises honored Brian at the inaugural PartyPoker.com Million (March 2002) with an award for his outstanding achievements in poker, his courage in the face of adversity, and his conduct both at and away from the table. Sadly, he died a few months later. In his memory, that award is now known as the "Brian Saltus Award" (the 2003 winner was Robert Williamson III).

The 2004 Brian Saltus Award winner is Maureen Feduniak. Maureen finished in the money in a number of events this past year, including a win in the $3,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em tournament at Bellagio. (She came back from a large chip deficit to defeat poker superstar Howard Lederer heads up to capture that title.) She also appeared twice on the World Poker Tour this past year, on the Ladies Night program and on the PartyPoker.com Million (finishing fourth).

Maureen is a warm, kindhearted person who is the epitome of grace and elegance. She has four children and five grandchildren, and is loved and respected by all who know her. Her behavior and the way she conducts herself at all times is impeccable, as it that of her husband, Bob. The poker world is very lucky to have people like the Feduniaks.

In the past year, the World Poker Tour has taken poker to another level. It has brought acceptance and class to the poker world. In my view, recognizing those who bring class and dignity to the game can only enhance the image of poker and bring good people into the game. For this reason, I hope the Brian Saltus Award becomes the Heisman Trophy of poker, the most coveted award in the game.

Congratulations to Maureen Feduniak, the 2004 Brian Saltus Award winner!

Take care.

Mike Sexton is the host of PartyPoker.com and a commentator on the World Poker Tour (which can be seen every Wednesday on the Travel Channel).