Favor Hamilton's name stripped from Big Ten award

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Park Ridge, Ill. • The Big Ten female athlete of the year award no longer is named for the Olympic track star from Wisconsin who later acknowledged working as a prostitute.

Big Ten spokesman Scott Chipman said Tuesday that Suzy Favor Hamilton's name was removed from the award after discussions between the league and Wisconsin.

Minnesota hockey player Amanda Kessel was named the winner last week. Kessel was also the national player of the year after leading the Gophers to an undefeated season and a second straight NCAA title.

Favor competed in the Olympics in 1992, 1996 and 2000. The Smoking Gun website in December first reported that Favor Hamilton had worked as an escort in Las Vegas. She has described it as a "coping mechanism" tied to depression and other personal issues.