PSWA Dinner: Don’t Miss Display Tables Prior to Banquet
The 107th annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Association dinner at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill on Monday night (Jan. 31) has a lot to offer the Philly sports fan even before the first fork is lifted. A number of special display tables will be set up at the Crowne Plaza for patrons to enjoy before breaking bread with this year’s honorees:
* The Phillies – a video of dinner guest Roy Halladay’s perfect game will be on display. In addition, giveaway items, mementos and other items will be available.
* Flyers Charities – this table will feature autographed Flyers memorabilia (proceeds go to charity), including autographed pucks and jerseys, as well as dinner guest Ian Laperriere’s “All About Lappy” shirts, which support Ronald McDonald House; and Danny Briere’s “Briere Bunch” shirts and hats, which support Danny’s children’s camp for kids with cancer.The Phillies – a video of dinner guest Roy Halladay’s perfect game will be on display. In addition, giveaway items, mementos and other items will be available.
* Shane Victorino Foundation – The Shane Victorino Foundation is dedicated to promoting opportunities for underprivileged youth in Hawaii and Philadelphia. Find out more at this table about what the SVF does in the Delaware Valley, including a recent undertaking to rebuild the Nicetown Boys’ Club.in Philadelphia.
* Magee Rehabilitation Hospital – An estimated 1.6 million sports-related concussions occur every year. Athletes of all ages who are not fully recovered before returning to their sport are much more likely to receive another—more devastating—concussion. Magee has opened a Post-Concussion Clinic to help determine when it is safe to return to the field after a concussion. Information on the clinic will be available at this table.
* Harry Kalas Statue – Want to know how you can contribute to this memorial to one of Philadelphia’s most beloved sports figures? This table will feature the latest update on the project and ways you can help make the statue a reality.
* Treasures from Philadelphia’s Baseball Past – An exhibit of mostly early 20th century local baseball memorabilia by noted collector Bob Warrington.
* Access Sports – Access Sports provides sports tickets and sports clinics to social service agencies and schools serving underprivileged children and youth groups, and individuals with physical and/or mental health disabilities. Find out more about the memorable sports experiences they create for at-risk and special needs individuals.
* Books by PSWA members – members Bob Bloss, Steve Bucci, Sam Carchidi, Bob Lyons, Rich Pagano, and Rich Westcott will have books written by them on display at a table.
The main event, of course, is the awards dinner. Among the many distinguished guests and honorees: Phillies All-Star pitcher Roy Halladay, selected as the PSWA’s Pro Athlete of the Year. He also will be presented with his 2010 Cy Young Award. Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino (Humanitarian of the Year); former Eagles great Bill Bergey (Living Legend); Flyers right winger Ian Laperriere (accepting Team of the Year honors on behalf of the 2010 Stanley Cup runner-up Philadelphia Flyers); 76ers forward Elton Brand (Good Guy Award); Villanova track and cross country All-American Sheila Reid (Outstanding Amateur Athlete): Penn Charter product Bobby Convey, star of Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes (2010 Native Son) and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and manager Charlie Manuel will be in attendance.
Special Achievement awards are planned for Temple basketball coach Fran Dunphy, Penn football coach Al Bagnoli, Drexel wrestling coach Jack Childs and Rowan University football co-captain Matt Hoffman.
Navy defensive back Wyatt Middleton will also be at the Crowne Plaza to receive the Most Valuable Player award for the recent Army-Navy game. The most coveted award, the Most Courageous, is kept secret until the night of the dinner. The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association was founded on May 12, 1904, and the first of what would become an annual Awards Dinner was held Feb. 15, 1905.
The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza hotel on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, just minutes from all Philadelphia bridges. Doors open at 5 p.m., and dinner starts at 6:30.
The public is welcome, and tickets are available by clicking here.
