The John Wanamaker Athletic Award is presented to the athlete, team or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia and to the team or sport in which they excel. The award is given each year by PHL Sports — a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau — along with the Wanamaker Building, The Philadelphia Inquirer and CBS3.
Congratulations to Our Winners
2022 marked the 51st presentation of the John Wanamaker Athletic Award to Philadelphia Union Goalkeeper Andre Blake. Blake is a four-time MLS All-Star, three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and has been nominated twice for an ESPY award for best Major League Soccer player.
The City of Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation Department, Sports Volunteer of the Year Award, was given posthumously to Coach Cliff Smith for his work with the Parkside Saints Football Program. Smith was a mentor to the young men who played in the program and was instrumental in bringing a football field to Parkside Avenue.
The Anderson Monarchs, a sports-based youth development organization in South Philadelphia, were named the 2022 Robert P. Levy Community Service Award winner. The Monarchs provide athletic and educational opportunities to thousands of youths who are under-resourced in Philadelphia.
Dr. Nikki Franke was awarded the David P. Montgomery Lifetime Achievement Award for her 50 years as head coach for Temple Fencing. Dr. Franke is a two-time Olympian and the first Black woman to coach an NCAA Division I fencing team.
Don Smolenski, President of the Philadelphia Eagles and Chair of the PHL Sports Advisory Board, presents the John Wanamaker Athletic Award to Andre Blake, Goalkeeper of the Philadelphia Union. Photo courtesy of Wise Owl Multimedia.
Wanamaker Award Winners
| 2022, Andre Blake Philadelphia Union Goalkeeper |
2021, Carli Lloyd Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup™ champion |
2019, Fran Dunphy Head Coach, Temple University Men’s Basketball |
| 2018, Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Champions |
2017, Dawn Staley Temple basketball legend |
2016, Villanova Wildcats NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions |
| 2015, Taney Dragons Little League World Series Team |
2014, LeSean McCoy Philadelphia Eagles |
2013, Bernard Hopkins Boxer |
| 2012, Claude Giroux Philadelphia Flyers |
2011, Roy Halladay, Pitcher Philadelphia Phillies |
2010, Villanova University Football Team 2010 FCS National Champions |
| 2009, Philadelphia Phillies 2008 World Series Champions |
2008, Jimmy Rollins, Shortstop Philadelphia Phillies |
2007, Ryan Howard Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2005, Dawn Staley Olympian Temple Women’s Basketball Coach |
2003, Villanova Women’s Basketball Team | 2002, Donovan McNabb, Quarterback Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2001, Philadelphia 76ers | 1999, Philadelphia Phantoms Calder Cup Champions |
1997, Dawn Staley, David Reid & Michael Matz Philadelphia Olympians |
| 1995, University of Pennsylvania Men’s Football & Basketball Teams |
1994, Philadelphia Phillies National League Champions |
1993, Reggie White, Defensive End Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1992, Charles Barkley, Forward Philadelphia 76ers |
1991, Lionel Simmons, Forward LaSalle University basketball |
1985, Villanova University, Basketball Team NCAA Champions |
| 1984, Moses Malone, Center Philadelphia 76ers |
1983, Steve Carlton, Pitcher Philadelphia Phillies |
1982, Widener College, Football Team Division III Champions |
| 1981, Philadelphia Phillies 1980 World Series Champions |
1980, Flyers & 76ers Flyers/Stanley Cup Finals 76ers/NBA Finals |
1979, Bill Bergey, All-Pro Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1978, Julius Erving, Forward Philadelphia 76ers |
1977, Mike Schmidt, Third Baseman Philadelphia Phillies |
1976, Fred Shero, Coach Philadelphia Flyers |
| 1975, Bernie Parent, Goalie Philadelphia Flyers |
1974, Bobby Clarke and The Philadelphia Flyers | 1973, Steve Carlton, Pitcher Philadelphia Phillies |
| 1972, University of Pennsylvania Basketball Team Ivy League & Big Five Title Winners |
1971, Joe Frazier Heavyweight Boxing champion |
1970, William Hyndman, III Amateur Golfer |
| 1969, Jumbo Elliott, Head Track Coach Villanova University |
1968, Joe Frazier Heavyweight Boxing champion |
1967, Wilt Chamberlain, Center Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1966, Pete Retzlaff, Tight End Philadelphia Eagles |
1965, The Vesper Boat Club Olympic Champions |
1964, Gene Mauch, Manager Philadelphia Phillies |
| 1963, John E. Wideman, Captain, Basketball Team University of Pennsylvania |
1962, Frank Budd, Track Star Villanova University |
1961, Chuck Bednarik, Center and Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles |
Robert P. Levy Community Service Award Winners
A comprehensive list of past winners of the community service award. The Robert P. Levy Community Service Award is presented to the individual, business or organization which has done the most to contribute to the quality of life in Philadelphia through sports.
| 2022, Anderson Monarchs | 2021, Natasha Cloud, WNBA Washington Mystics guard and social justice advocate |
2019, Give and Go Athletics |
| 2018, Beat The Streets | 2017, Team Up Philly | 2016, Philadelphia City Rowing |
| 2015, Special Olympics Philadelphia | 2014, Black Women in Sport Foundation | 2013, Back on My Feet |
| 2012, Jerry Segal | 2011, Eagles Youth Partnership | 2010, SquashSmarts |
| 2009, Temple University football | 2008, Andy Talley, Villanova football | 2007, Work to Ride |
| 2006, Afleet and Alex’s Lemonade Stand | 2005, World B. Free | 2004, Coaches vs. Cancer |
| 2003, Philadelphia Phillies | 2002, Joe Hand Boxing Gym | 2001, PDR Swim Team |
| 2000, Pat Croce | 1999, Philadelphia Youth Tennis | 1998, Police Athletic League |
| 1997, Sonny Hill | 1996, The Flyers’ Wives Fight for Lives |
City of Philadelphia’s Parks & Recreation Department, Sports Volunteer of the Year Award
The award is presented annually to the “men and women in our community whose exemplary volunteer efforts have made a real difference in the lives of our City’s young people through sports.”
| 2022, Coach Cliff Smith* | 2019, Andrew and Connie Crews | 2018, Kensington Soccer Club |
| 2017, Wayne “Coach Wiz” Allen | 2016, Rahim Thompson | 2015, Don Richardson |
| 2014, Ruth Bull | 2013, Yolanda Laney | 2012, Katie Kirlin Fund |
*Awarded posthumously
John Wanamaker Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
| 2019, David Montgomery | 2017, John Chaney | 2014, Tina Sloan-Green |
| 2012, Ed Snider | 2007, Herb Magee | 2003, Bob Levy |
| 2002, Harry Kalas | 2000, Jim Tuppeny |
