Philadelphia Sports Writers Association

The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association (PSWA) was founded on May 12, 1904, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first of what would become an annual Awards Dinner was held on February 15, 1905.

Awards

Each year, awards are presented in the following categories: Pro Athlete of the Year (formerly Outstanding Pro Athlete), Outstanding Amateur Athlete, Team of the Year, Outstanding Penn Relays collegiate performer (Frank Dolson/Penn Relays Award), Living Legend, Native Son, Humanitarian, Good Guy Athlete and Most Courageous Athlete.

In some years, awards are given in other categories: Executive of the Year, Nostalgia Team, Lifetime Achievement, Special Achievement and Special Recognition.

Award winners

1970–1979

1977

• Most Courageous Athlete – Tommy John (MLB)

1978

• Good Guy Award – Tim McCarver (Phillies)

1979

• Good Guy Award – Ron Jaworski (Eagles)
• Most Courageous Athlete – Bobby Clarke (Flyers)

1980–1989

1980

• Good Guy Award – Tug McGraw (Phillies)

1981

• Good Guy Award – Julius Erving (76ers)

1982

• Good Guy Award – Bobby Clarke (Flyers)

1983

• Good Guy Award – Al Holland (Phillies)

1984

• Good Guy Award – Greg Gross (Phillies)
• Most Courageous Athlete – Scott Hamilton (figure skating)

1985

• Good Guy Award – John Spagnola (Eagles)

1986

• Living Legend – Chuck Bednarik (Eagles)
• Good Guy Award – Glenn Wilson (Phillies)
• Most Courageous Athlete – Jim Abbott (MLB)

1987

• Good Guy Award – Dave Poulin (Flyers)

1988

• Good Guy Award – Mark Howe (Flyers)

1989

• Good Guy Award – Ron Heller (Eagles)

1990–1999

1990

• Good Guy Award – Wes Hopkins (Eagles)

1991

• Good Guy Award – Ron Anderson (76ers)
• Most Courageous Athlete – Tim Kerr (Flyers)

1992

• Living Legend – Tommy McDonald (Eagles)
• Good Guy Award – Mike Golic (Eagles)

1993

• Good Guy Award – Curt Schilling (Phillies)

1994

• Good Guy Award – Herschel Walker (Eagles)

1995

• Good Guy Award – Mickey Morandini (Phillies)

1996

• Good Guy Award – Ricky Bottalico (Phillies)

1997

• Good Guy Award – Rico Brogna (Phillies)
• Most Courageous – Terry-Jo Myers (golf)

1998

• Good Guy Award – Michael Zordich (Eagles)

1999

• Good Guy Award – Ron Hextall (Flyers)
• Most Courageous – Jay Sigel (golf)

2000–2009

2000

• Living Legend – Pete Rose (Phillies)
• Good Guy Award – Doug Glanville (Phillies)

2001

• Good Guy Award – Rick Tocchet (Flyers)

2002

• Good Guy Award – Jeremy Roenick (Flyers)

2003

• Good Guy Award – Keith Primeau (Flyers)
• Most Courageous – Neil Parry (San Jose State; football)

2004

• Good Guy Award – Jim Thome (Phillies)

2005

• Good Guy Award – Simon Gagné (Flyers)
• Most Courageous – Macharia Yuot (Widener University; track/cross country)

2006

• Good Guy Award – Chris Coste (Phillies)
• Most Courageous – April Holmes (track and field)

2007

The awardees were honored at the PSWA’s 104th Awards Dinner on January 28, 2008.

• Outstanding Pro Athlete – Jimmy Rollins (Phillies)
• Outstanding Amateur Athlete – Matt Ryan (Boston College; football)
• Team of the Year – Philadelphia Phillies
• Living Legend – Harry Kalas (Phillies broadcaster)
• Native Son – Carli Lloyd
• Humanitarian – Jon Runyan (Eagles)
• Good Guy Award – Daniel Brière (Flyers)
• Frank Dolson/Penn Relays Award – Anna Willard
• Nostalgia Team – Immaculata “Mighty Macs”
• Lifetime Achievement – Larry Shenk (Phillies public-relations director)
• Special Achievement – Kerry Fraser (NHL referee)
• Special Achievement – Herb Magee (Philadelphia University basketball coach)
• Special Achievement – Philadelphia Kixx
• Most Courageous – Lois Gilmore (long distance runner)

2008

The awardees were honored at the 105th Awards Dinner on January 26, 2009.

• Outstanding Pro Athlete – Brad Lidge (Phillies)
• Outstanding Amateur Athlete – Mike Washington (West Chester University; football)
• Team of the Year – Philadelphia Phillies
• Living Legend – Bernie Parent (Flyers)
• Native Son – Cuttino Mobley
• Humanitarian – Adam Taliaferro (Penn State; football)
• Good Guy Award – Sheldon Brown (Eagles)
• Frank Dolson/Penn Relays Award – LaTavia Thomas
• Lifetime Achievement – Steve Sabol (NFL Films)
• Special Achievement – Harvey Pollack (76ers director of statistical information)
• Most Courageous – Nicole Hester (Drexel University; women's basketball)

2009

The awardees were honored at the 106th Awards Dinner on February 1, 2010.

• Outstanding Professional Athlete – Brent Celek (Eagles)
• Outstanding Amateur Athlete – Gabriela Marginean (Drexel; women's basketball)
• Team of the Year – Philadelphia Phillies
• Frank Dolson Award (Penn Relays) – Sarah Bowman (Tennessee)
• Executive of the Year – Rubén Amaro, Jr. (Phillies)
• Living Legend – Red Klotz (Washington Generals)
• Native Son – Andrew Bailey (Oakland Athletics)
• Humanitarian – Dickie Noles (Phillies)
• Good Guy Award – Willie Green (76ers)
• Special Achievement – Jay Wright (Villanova; men's basketball)
• Special Achievement – Andy Talley (Villanova; football)
• Special Achievement – Gina Procaccio (Villanova; women’s cross country)
• Special Achievement – Bob Nydick (Rivershark Twins; fastpitch softball)
• Special Achievement – Penn State Women’s Volleyball (national champions)
• Special Recognition – 1960 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL champions)
• Special Recognition – 1985 Villanova Basketball (NCAA champions)
• Most Courageous Athlete – Frances Koons (Villanova)

2010–2014

2010

The awardees were honored at the 107th Awards Dinner on January 31, 2011.

• Pro Athlete of the Year – Roy Halladay (Phillies)
• Outstanding Amateur Athlete – Sheila Reid (Villanova cross country)
• Team of the Year – 2009–10 Philadelphia Flyers
• Frank Dolson Award (Penn Relays) – Gabby Mayo (Texas A&M women’s track)
• Living Legend – Bill Bergey (Eagles)
• Native Son – Bobby Convey (San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), William Penn Charter School)
• Humanitarian – Shane Victorino (Phillies)
• Good Guy Athlete – Elton Brand (76ers)
• Special Achievement – Al Bagnoli (Penn football coach)
• Special Achievement – Jack Childs (Drexel wrestling coach)
• Special Achievement – Fran Dunphy (Temple basketball coach)
• Special Achievement – Herb Magee (Philadelphia University basketball coach)
• Special Achievement – Matt Hoffman (Rowan football)
• Special Achievement – Gina Procaccio (Villanova cross country)
• Army-Navy MVP – Wyatt Middleton (Navy football)
• Most Courageous Athlete – Mark Herzlich (Conestoga, Boston College)

2011

The awardees were honored at the 108th Awards Dinner on January 30, 2012.

• Pro Athlete of the Year – Claude Giroux (Flyers)
• Outstanding Amateur Athlete – Sheila Reid (Villanova University track and cross-country All-American)
• Team of the Year – 2011 Philadelphia Phillies
• Penn Relays Frank Dolson Award – Robby Andrews (University of Virginia)
• Living Legend – Herb Magee (Philadelphia University basketball coach)
• Native Son – Ryan Vogelsong (San Francisco Giants)
• Humanitarian of the Year – Andy Talley (Villanova University football coach)
• Good Guy of the Year – Hunter Pence Phillies)
• Special Achievement – Sébastien Le Toux (Philadelphia Union)
• Special Achievement – Bill Manlove (Widener University football coach)
• Special Achievement – Charlie Manuel (Phillies manager)
• Special Achievement – Harry Perretta (Villanova University women’s basketball coach)
• Special Achievement – Cheryl Reeve (WNBA Coach of the Year)
• Most Courageous Athlete – Anthony Robles (Arizona State wrestling)

2012

The awardees were honored at the 109th Awards Dinner on January 28, 2013.

• Pro Athlete of the Year – Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels and Millville High School)
• Living Legend – Larry Bowa (former Phillies shortstop and manager)
• Ed Snider Lifetime Distinguished Humanitarian Award – Ed Snider (Philadelphia Flyers founder and Comcast-Spectacor chairman)
• Army/Navy Game MVP – Keenan Reynolds (Navy freshman quarterback)
• Special Achievement – Jimmy Rollins (Philadelphia Phillies)
• Special Achievement – Speedy Morris (former basketball coach at La Salle University and St. Joseph’s Prep)
• Special Achievement – Hank Nichols (basketball referee and Naismith Hall of Fame inductee)
• Most Courageous Athlete – Mario Tobia (blind golfer)

2013

The awardees were honored at the 110th Awards Dinner on January 27, 2014.

• Philadelphia Pro Athlete – Danny García (Light welterweight boxer: Undefeated light Welterweight Champion)
• Outstanding National Pro Athlete – LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia Eagles running back)
• Native Son – Bo Ryan (head coach of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Badgers men’s basketball team)
• Living Legend – Bill Barber (former Philadelphia Flyers forward)
• Athlete Good Guy – Jason Avant (Philadelphia Eagles receiver)
• Team of the Year – Boston Red Sox
• Amateur Athlete – Rondell White (West Chester University running back)
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Bernard Hopkins (Middleweight Boxer: multi champion/belt holder)
• Ed Snider Lifetime Distinguished Humanitarian – Jim Murray (former Philadelphia Eagles general manager, founder of the Eagles Fly for Leukemia campaign, founder of first Ronald McDonald House)
• Penn Relays Frank Dolson Award – Emily Lipari (Villanova University)
• Army/Navy Game MVP – Keenan Reynolds (Navy quarterback)
• 1973 & 1974 Stanley Cup Commemoration – Bernie Parent & Bob Clarke (former Philadelphia Flyers goalie and former Philadelphia Flyers captain)
• Special Achievement – Wayne Hardin (Temple University & Naval Academy football coach, College Football Hall of Fame inductee)
• Special Achievement – Tim Van Liew (Rutgers-Camden track & field: javelin)
• Special Achievement – Denise Dillon (Head Coach, Drexel University women’s basketball)
• Special Achievement – Jay Greenberg (Philadelphia Flyers beat writer, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee)
• Special Achievement – Eastern High School Field Hockey (14 straight N.J. state field hockey championships and this year won N.J. Tournament of Champions)

See also

• Local recipients of J. G. Taylor Spink Award (baseball writers)
• National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association
• Sports in Philadelphia
• Daily News Sportsperson of the Year
• Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
• Philadelphia Eagles#Awards and honors
• List of Philadelphia Flyers award winners#Philadelphia Sports Writers Association
• List of Philadelphia Phillies award winners and league leaders#Other achievements
• Philadelphia 76ers#Individual awards

External links

• PSWA Dinner official website
• History. PSWA Dinner official website

• For the PSWA logo, see:
• About webpage. PSWA Dinner official website. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• The Executive of the Year, Nostalgia Team, Lifetime Achievement, and Special Recognition awards are not presented every year.
• The winners of the Most Courageous Award for 1977, 1979, 1984, 1986, and 1991 are listed in the cited article with the incorrect year, i.e., the year that follows the award year. (The awards dinner and presentation occur in January or February of the year following the award year.)
• The winners of the Good Guy Award for 1978 to 2008 are listed at the bottom of the cited webpage with the incorrect year, i.e., the year that follows the award year. (The awards dinner and presentation occur in January or February of the year following the award year.) 76ers’ Willie Green earns PSWA ‘Good Guy’ award. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
• PSWA Living Legend award will go to Red Klotz. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
• The winners of the Most Courageous Award for 1997, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 are listed in the cited article with the incorrect year, i.e., the year that follows the award year. (The awards dinner and presentation occur in January or February of the year following the award year.) More ‘Most Courageous’ memories from PSWA dinners. PSWA Dinner website. January 17, 2009. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
• Awards webpage. PWSA Dinner official website. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
• The following article was written on September 27, 2008, eight months after the award presentation. The awards dinner and presentation occur in January or February of the year following the award year. Jimmy Rollins, MVP. PWSA Dinner official website. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
• Kalas honored by PSWA at 2008 Awards Dinner. PWSA Dinner official website. April 14, 2009. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
• Carli Lloyd - 2007’s ‘Native Son’ Winner. PWSA Dinner official website. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
• Jon Runyan - 2007 Humanitarian Award-Winner. PWSA Dinner official website. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
• Writers honor Phils’ PR director, Larry Shenk. PWSA Dinner official website. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
• Kerry Fraser - 2007 Special Achievement Award. PWSA Dinner official website. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
• Brad Lidge named PSWA’s Outstanding Pro Athlete. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• West Chester’s Mike Washington is Outstanding Amateur. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• Phillies are Philadelphia Sports Writers’ ‘Team of the Year’. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• Bernie Parent is Sports Writers’ Living Legend. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• Cuttino Mobley honored as Philadelphia ‘Native Son’. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• Adam Taliaferro to Receive PSWA Humanitarian Award. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• Eagles Sheldon Brown is PSWA ‘Good Guy’ award-winner. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• Lifetime Achievement award for NFL Films’ Steve Sabol. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-20.
• PSWA’s ‘Most Courageous Athlete’ of 2009. PSWA Dinner website. January 27, 2009. Retrieved 2010-12-19. (The article title has the incorrect year, i.e., the year that follows the award year. The awards dinner and presentation occur in January or February of the year following the award year.)
• PSWA taps Eagles’ Brent Celek as Outstanding Pro Athlete. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
• Drexel’s Gabriela Marginean PSWA’s Top Amateur. PSWA Dinner website. January 3, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• PSWA names Phillies ‘Team of the Year’ for 2009. PSWA Dinner website. January 3, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• Vol’s Sarah Bowman honored at PSWA Awards Dinner. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
• PSWA banquet on Feb. 1: So who’s going to be there?. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
• South Jersey’s own Andrew Bailey wins ‘Native Son’ Award. PSWA Dinner website. November 16, 2009. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
• 1980 World Series hero Dickie Noles is PSWA ‘Humanitarian’. PSWA Dinner website. Retrieved 2010-12-17.
• PSWA honors Villanova’s 1985 NCAA championship team. PSWA Dinner website. November 16, 2009. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
• Villanova’s Frances Koons honored by PSWA. PSWA Dinner website. August 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-16.