Philadelphia reaches 85% vaccination milestone. More updates and travel resources

Home > Meet in PHL > PHL Sports > John Wanamaker Athletic Award Winners

John Wanamaker Athletic Award

2021 marks the 50th presentation of the John Wanamaker Athletic Award, which is presented to the athlete, team or organization which has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia and to the team or sport in which they excel. The award is presented each year by PHL Sports — a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau — The Wanamaker Building, The Philadelphia Inquirer and CBS3.

Voting ended October 4, 2021. The 2021 John Wanamaker Athletic Award winner will be announced soon.

Past Wanamaker Award Winners

1961, Chuck Bednarik, Center and Linebacker
Philadelphia Eagles

1962, Frank Budd, Track Star
Villanova University

1963, John E. Wideman, Captain, Basketball Team
University of Pennsylvania

1964, Gene Mauch, Manager
Philadelphia Phillies

1965, The Vesper Boat Club
Olympic Champions

1966, Pete Retzlaff, Tight End
Philadelphia Eagles

1967, Wilt Chamberlain, Center
Philadelphia 76ers

1968, Joe Frazier
Heavyweight Boxing Champion

1969, Jumbo Elliott, Head Track Coach
Villanova University

1970, William Hyndman, III
Amateur Golfer

1971, Joe Frazier
Heavyweight Boxing Champion

1972, University of Pennsylvania
Basketball Team
Ivy League & Big Five Title Winner

1973, Steve Carlton, Pitcher
Philadelphia Phillies

1974, Bobby Clarke and The Philadelphia Flyers

1975, Bernie Parent, Goalie
Philadelphia Flyers

1976, Fred Shero, Coach
Philadelphia Flyers

1977, Mike Schmidt, Third Baseman
Philadelphia Phillies

1978, Julius Erving, Forward
Philadelphia 76ers

1979, Bill Bergey, All-Pro Linebacker
Philadelphia Eagles

1980, Flyers & 76ers
Flyers/Stanley Cup Finals
76ers/NBA Finals

1981, Philadelphia Phillies
1980 World Series Champions

1982, Widener College, Football Team
Division III Champions

1983, Steve Carlton, Pitcher
Philadelphia Phillies

1984, Moses Malone, Center
Philadelphia 76ers

1985, Villanova University, Basketball Team
NCAA Champions

~ 5 Year Absence ~

1991, Lionel Simmons, Forward
LaSalle University Basketball

1992, Charles Barkley, Forward
Philadelphia 76ers

1993, Reggie White, Defensive End
Philadelphia Eagles

1994, Philadelphia Phillies
National League Champions

1995, University of Pennsylvania
Men’s Football & Basketball Teams

1997, Dawn Staley, David Reid & Michael Matz
Philadelphia Olympians

1999, Philadelphia Phantoms
Calder Cup Champions

2001, Philadelphia 76ers

2002, Donovan McNabb, Quarterback
Philadelphia Eagles

2003, Villanova Women’s Basketball Team

2005, Dawn Staley
Olympian Temple Women’s Basketball Coach

2007, Ryan Howard
Philadelphia Phillies

2008, Jimmy Rollins, Shortstop
Philadelphia Phillies

2009, Philadelphia Phillies
2008 World Series Champions

2010, Villanova University Football Team
2010 FCS National Champions

2011, Roy Halladay, Pitcher
Philadelphia Phillies

2012, Claude Giroux
Philadelphia Flyers

2013, Bernard Hopkins
Boxer

2014, LeSean McCoy
Philadelphia Eagles

2015, Taney Dragons
Little League World Series Team

2016, Villanova Wildcats
NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions

2017, Dawn Staley
Temple basketball legend

2018, Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl Champions

2019, Fran Dunphy
Head Coach, Temple University Men’s Basketball

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.

1996, The Flyers’ Wives Fight for Lives

1997, Sonny Hill

1998, Police Athletic League

1999, Philadelphia Youth Tennis

2000, Pat Croce

2001, PDR Swim Team

2002, Joe Hand Boxing Gym

2003, Philadelphia Phillies

2004, Coaches vs. Cancer

2005, World B. Free

2006, Afleet and Alex’s Lemonade Stand

2007, Work to Ride

2008, Andy Talley, Villanova football

2009, Temple University football

2010, SquashSmarts

2011, Eagles Youth Partnership

2012, Jerry Segal

2013, Back on My Feet

2014, Black Women in Sport Foundation

2015, Special Olympics Philadelphia

2016, Philadelphia City Rowing

2017, Team Up Philly

2018, Beat The Streets

2019, Give and Go Athletics

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.”

2012, Katie Kirlin Fund

2013, Yolanda Laney

2014, Ruth Bull

2015, Don Richardson

2016, Rahim Thompson

2017, Wayne “Coach Wiz” Allen

2018, Kensington Soccer Club

2019, Andrew and Connie Crews