A bit of our history…
Excerpts from two stories written by long-time PSWA treasurer Bob Kenney, and published in the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association’s hard-cover banquet program from our 100th anniversary on January 26, 2004:
“If the often-maligned Philly press corps has accomplished anything over the past century, it is the ability to throw a party. With a list of guests and honorees that reads like a ‘Who’s Who in American Sports,’ the annual banquet has become nationally known for its large dais honoring many athletes from both the colleges and professional teams.”
“It all began back on May 12, 1904, when a group of 43 writers got together in the Majestic Hotel, reportedly to talk about improving working conditions at the area sporting events. At some point in the session, one of the members raised a half-filled stein and suggested the writers hold a party to honor the top sports performers from the previous season.
“‘I’ll drink to that,’ a colleague shouted, and before long the idea developed into a plan. The sports writers of the Philadelphia area and their ‘most loyal fans in the country’ have been drinking together ever since.”
After the first PSWA Banquet, in 1904, “A headline in the Public Ledger the next morning read: ‘The Sporting Writers Entertained and Their Guests Are Filled With Hot Air and Other Things.”
OUR AWARD WINNERS AND HONOREES
MOST OUTSTANDING ATHLETE
(The Bill Duncan/Ed Pollock Memorial Award)
2024 Saquon Barkley
2023 Jaron Ennis
2022 Jalen Hurts
2021 Bryce Harper
2020 Not presented
2019 J.T. Realmuto
2018 Aaron Nola
2017 Carson Wentz
2016 Shayne Gostisbehere
2015 Carli Lloyd
2014 Mike Trout
2013 LeSean McCoy
2012 Mike Trout
2011 Claude Giroux
2010 Roy Halladay
2009 Brent Celek
2008 Brad Lidge
2007 Jimmy Rollins
2006 Ryan Howard
2004 Bernard Hopkins
2003 Jim Thome
2001 Bernard Hopkins
1999 Allen Iverson
1998 Scott Rolen
1997 Curt Schilling
1996 Mike Piazza
1996 Eric Lindros
1995 David Cone
1993 Lenny Dykstra
1992 Carl Lewis
1991 Michael Andretti
1990 Evander Holyfield
1989 Mike Schmidt (decade)
1988 Jackie Joyner-Kersee
1987 Steve Bedrosian
1986 Mike Schmidt
1985 Pete Rose
1984 Carl Lewis
1983 Moses Malone
1982 Wayne Gretzky
1981 Mike Schmidt
1980 Mike Schmidt
1979 Pete Rose (decade)
1978 Mario Andretti
1977 Steve Cauthen
1976 Thurman Munson
1975 Pete Rose
1974 Muhammad Ali
1973 Bobby Clarke
1972 Steve Carlton
1971 Joe Frazier
1970 Bobby Orr
1969 Tom Seaver
1968 Danny McLain
1967 Wilt Chamberlain
1966 Frank Robinson
1965 Bill Russell
1964 Dean Chance
1963 Sandy Koufax
1962 Mickey Mantle
1961 Whitey Ford
1960 Norm Van Brocklin
1959 Johnny Unitas
1958 Jimmy Brown
1957 Stan Musial
1956 Milt Campbell
1955 Robin Roberts
1954 Tom Gola
1953 Al Rosen
1952 Bobby Shantz
1951 Dick Kazmaier
1950 Jim Konstanty
1949 Steve Van Buren
1948 Lou Boudreau
1947 Lou Fulks
1946 Stan Musial
1945 Byron Nelson
1944 Marty Marion
1943 George Senesky
1941 Joe DiMaggio
1940 John Kimbrough
1939 Joe Burk
1938 Jimmie Foxx
1937 Joe DiMaggio
ED SNIDER HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR
(Year listed represents when the Humanitarian acts were accomplished but the award was presented in January of that following year. For example, Aaron Nola received the award at the 2024 banquet for his efforts in 2023.)
2024 Kyle Schwarber
2023 Aaron Nola
2022 Tyrese Maxey
2021 Not presented
2020 Connor Barwin
2019 Sonny Hill
2018 Joe Hartmann
2017 Flyers Wives Charities
2016 David Montgomery
2015 Lewis Katz
2014 Jim Murray
2013 Ed Snider
MOST COURAGEOUS ATHLETE/PERSON
(The Jim Gantz/Sog Grauley Memorial Award – Year listed is the year the award was received)
2025 Charle Manuel
2024 Joe Mihalich
2023 Dan Baker
2022 Molly Gorczyca
2021 Not presented
2020 Kevin McCloskey
2019 Brian Propp
2018 Avery Marz
2017 Bill Lyon
2016 Gabby Pethokoukis
2015 Richard Suarez
2014 Boston Marathon First Responders
2013 Mario Tobia
2012 Anthony Robles
2011 Mark Herzlich
2010 Frances Koons
2009 Nicole Hester
2008 Lois Gilmore
2007 April Holmes
2006 Macharia Yout
2005 Travis Mohr
2004 Neil Parry
2003 Katie Sosnowski
2002 New York’s Heroes of 9/11
2001 Cliff Meidl
2000 Jay Sigel
1999 Mike Edwards
1998 Terry-Jo Myers
1997 Brett Butler
1996 Brian Milne
1995 Shelley Hamlin
1994 Jim Eisenreich
1993 Kenny Walker
1992 Tim Kerr
1991 Pete Pavia
1990 Dickie Thon
1989 Craig Bodzianowski
1988 Liz Mizera
1987 Jim Abbott
1986 Ed Mostak
1985 Scott Hamilton
1984 Bobby Jones
1983 Andre Thornton
1982 Carl Joseph
1981 Rolf Benirschke
1980 Bobby Clarke
1979 Kathy Miller
1978 Tommy John
1977 Dick Battista
1976 John Hiller
1975 Rocky Bleier
1974 Mary Bacon
1973 Mark Donohue
1972 Bill Kilmer
1971 Tom Dempsey
1970 Fred Steinmark
1969 Mrs. Betty Meade
1968 Jerry Kramer
1967 Capt. Bill Carpenter
1966 Jim Hurtubise
1965 Fred Hutchinson
1964 Jim Umbricht
1963 Mickey Mantle
1962 Maurice Stockes and Jack Twyman
1961 Jeff Farrell
1960 Herb Score
1959 Roy Campanella
1958 Charley Boswell
1957 Vic Wertz
1956 Jim Piersall
1955 Jim Wilson
1954 Walter Davis and Mildred (Babe) Zaharias
1953 Eddie LeBaron
1952 Skip Alexander
1951 Ben Hogan
1950 Art Houtteman
1949 Gene Bearden
1948 James (Sonny) Fraser and Lou Brissie
1947 Monty Stratton
1946 Meryll M. Frost
1945 Robert J. Wilson
1944 Pete Gray
1943 All Men of Courage in Our Armed Forces
1942 Wille Hoppe
1941 Jean Paul Desloges
1940 Bob Allman
1939 Jerome (Dizzy) Dean
1938 Mickey Cochrane
1937 Bruce Campbell
1936 Charley Gelbert
BILL CAMPBELL AWARD (Excellence in broadcasting) Year listed is for the year in which the work was accomplished. For example, Angelo Cataldo received the award at our 2020 banquet for his body of work in 2019
2024 Michael Barkann, NBC Sports Philadelphia
2023 Tim Saunders & Steve Coates, Flyers
2022 Tom McGinnis, 76ers
2021 Not presented
2020 Angelo Cataldi, WIP
2019 Jim Jackson, Flyers/Phillies
2018 Marc Zumoff, 76ers
2017 Scott Franzke & Larry Anderson, Phillies
2016 Merrill Reese, Eagles
STAN HOCHMAN AWARD (Excellence in sports journalism) Year listed is for the year in which the work was accomplished. For example, Keith Pompey received the award at our 2024 banquet for his body of work in 2023
2024 Matt Breen, Philadelphia Inquirer
2023 Keith Pompey, Philadelphia Inquirer
2022 Jim Salisbury, NBC Sports Philly
2021 Not presented
2020 Wayne Fish, FlyingFishHockey.com
2019 Ray Didinger, Eagles Encyclopedia
2018 Rich Hofmann, Daily News
2017 Jeff McLane, Inquirer
2016 Mike Sielski, Inquirer
TEAM OF THE YEAR (Year listed is the year in which the team accomplishment was made but the award was presented at the banquet the following January. So the 2022 Phillies were presented with their award at our 2023 dinner.)
2024 Saint Joseph’s University Field Hockey
2023 Media Little League
2022 Philadelphia Phillies
2021 COVID-19 Frontline Personnel
2020 Not presented
2019 St. Louis Blues
2018 Philadelphia Eagles & Villanova Basketball
2017 Houston Astros
2016 Villanova Basketball
2015 Temple Football
2014 Taney Dragons Baseball
2013 Boston Red Sox
2012 U.S. Women’s Olympic Soccer Team
2011 Philadelphia Phillies
2010 Philadelphia Flyers
2009 Philadelphia Phillies
2008 Philadelphia Phillies
2007 Philadelphia Phillies
2006 Rutgers Football
2005 Chicago White Sox
2004 Saint Joseph’s Basketball
2003 University of Delaware Football
2002 University of Maryland Basketball
2001 New York City Emergency Personnel
2000 St. Louis Rams
1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup Team
1998 New York Yankees
1997 Florida Marlins
1996 New York Yankees
1995 New Jersey Devils
1994 Penn State Football
1993 Philadelphia Phillies
1992 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team
(“The Dream Team”)
1991 Pittsburgh Penguins
1990 Detroit Pistons
1989 Penn State Football (Decade)
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers
1987 Stars & Stripes (America’s Cup Crew)
1986 Penn State Football
New York Mets (Pro)
1985 Villanova Basketball
1984 U.S. Olympic Team
1983 Philadelphia 76ers
1982 Penn State Football
New York Islanders (Pro)
1981 Los Angeles Dodgers
1980 U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Team
1979 Pittsburgh Steelers
1978 Washington Bullets
1977 Montreal Canadiens
1976 Cincinnati Reds
NATIVE DAUGHTER/SON (We present this award annually to someone from our Philadelphia region whose efforts deserve notice by the PSWA)
2024 Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, Carneys Point, NJ
2023 Chas McCormick, West Chester, PA
2022 Tony DeAngelo, Sewell, NJ
2021 Not presented
2020 Natasha Cloud, Broomal, PA
2019 Joey Wendle, West Grove, PA
2018 Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia, PA
2017 Jason Sosa, Camden, NJ
2016 Jahri Evans, Philadelphia, PA
2015 Todd Frazier, Toms River, NJ
2014 Bo Ryan, Chester, PA
2012 Ryan Vogelsong, Downingtown, PA
2011 Bobby Convey, Philadelphia, PA
2010 Andrew Bailey, Haddon Hts., NJ
2009 Cuttino Mobley, Philadelphia, PA
2008 Carli Lloyd, Delran, NJ
2007 Mike Rozier, Camden, NJ
2006 Troy Vincent, Trenton, NJ
2005 Rich Gannon, Philadelphia, PA
2004 Agnus Berenato, Gloucester City, NJ
2003 Frank Wycheck, Philadelphia, PA
2002 Dawn Staley, Philadelphia, PA
2001 Ed Dougherty, Linwood, PA
2000 Jamie Moyer, Souderton, PA
1999 George Jamison, Bridgeton, NJ
1998 Bobby Higginson, Philadelphia, PA
1997 Irving Fryar, Mount Holly, NJ
1996 Eddie George, Phildelphia, PA
1995 Kevin Ross, Paulsboro, NJ
1994 Mike Piazza, Valley Forge, PA
1993 Burt Grossman, Radnor, PA
1992 Deron Cherry, Palmyra, NJ
1991 Flipper Anderson, Paulsboro, NJ
GOOD GUY
“…for outstanding cooperation with the media” (earned for the year listed but presented at the following banquet, for example Sean Couturier received his award at our 2024 banquet for his efforts in 2023)
2024 Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
2023 Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers
2022 Scott Laughton, Philadelphia Flyers
2020 Jay Wright, Villanova Men’s Basketball
2019 Fran Dunphy, Temple University Men’s Basketball
2018 T.J. McConnell, 76ers
2017 Phil Martelli, Saint Joseph’s
2016 Brett Brown, 76ers
2015 Kimmo Timonen, Flyers
2014 Jason Avant, Eagles
2013 Todd Herremans, Eagles
2012 Hunter Pence, Phillies
2011 Elton Brand, 76ers
2010 Willie Green, 76ers
2009 Sheldon Brown, Eagles
2008 Daniel Briere, Flyers
2007 Chris Coste, Phillies
2006 Simon Gagne, Flyers
2005 Jim Thome, Phillies
2004 Keith Primeau, Flyers
2003 Jeremy Roenick, Flyers
2002 Rick Tocchet, Flyers
2001 Doug Glanville, Phillies
2000 Ron Hextall, Flyers
1999 Michael Zordich, Eagles
1998 Rico Brogna, Phillies
1997 Ricky Bottalico, Phillies
1996 Mickey Morandini, Phillies
1995 Herschel Walker, Eagles
1994 Curt Schilling, Phillies
1993 Mike Golic, Eagles
1992 Ron Anderson, 76ers
1991 Wes Hopkins, Eagles
1990 Ron Heller, Eagles
1989 Mark Howe, Flyers
1988 Dave Poulin, Flyers
1987 Glenn Wilson, Phillies
1986 John Spagnola, Eagles
1985 Greg Gross, Phillies
1984 Al Holland, Phillies
1983 Bob Clarke, Flyers
1982 Julius Erving, 76ers
1981 Tug McGraw, Phillies
1980 Ron Jaworski, Eagles
1979 Tim McCarver, Phillies
OUTSTANDING AMATEUR ATHLETE (for performance in the listed year, presented at the banquet in the following year)
2024 Caitlin Clark, University of Iowa women’s basketball
2023 Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson football
2022 Maddy Siegrist, Villanova women’s basketball
2021 Collin Gillespie, Villanova men’s basketball
2020 Not presented
2019 Bella Alarie, Princeton women’s basketball
2018 Jalen Brunson, Villanova men’s basketball
2017 Justin Watson, Penn football
2016 Patrick Tiernan
2015 Tyler Matakevich, Temple football
2014 John Robertson, Villanova football
2013 Rondell White
2012 Elena Delle Donne, Delaware women’s basketball
2011 Sheila Reid
2010 Sheila Reid
2009 Gabriela Marginean, Drexel women’s basketball
2008 Mike Washington
2007 Matt Ryan, Boston College football
2006 Steve Slaton, West Virginia football
2005 Adam Knoblauch
2004 Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph’s men’s basketball
2002 Brett Gordon, Villanova football; and Dan Klecko, Temple football
2001 Brian Westbrook, Villanova football
2000 Brandon Slay
1999 Chris Boden
1998 Brian Westbrook, Villanova football
1997 Brian Finneran, Villanova football
1996 David Reid, U.S. Olympic Boxing gold medalist
1995 Miles Macik
1994 Villanova Women’s Cross Country
1993 Aaron McKie, Temple men’s basketball
1992 Lisa Raymond, University of Florida, Tennis
1991 Dawn Staley, Virginia women’s basketball
1990 Jane Catanzaro, Temple field hockey
1989 David Wharton, Team USA Swimming
1988 Vicki Huber, Villanova cross country
1987 Gordie Lockbaum, Holy Cross football
1986 Paul Palmer, Temple football
1985 Mike Ruth, Boston College football
1984 Beth Anders, U.S. Field Hockey Olympic bronze medalist
1983 Jay Sigel, Golf
1982 Jay Sigel, Golf
1981 Carl Lewis, University of Houston Track & Field
1980 Don Paige, Villanova Track and Field
1979 Don Paige, Villanova Track and Field
1978 Michael Brooks, LaSalle Basketball
1977 Jay Sigel, Golf
1976 U.S. Olympic Boxers
1975 Archie Griffin, Ohio State football
1974 Randy White, Maryland football
1973 John Cappelletti, Penn State football
1972 Mark Spitz, Olympic swimming champion
1971 Marty Liquori, Villanova track
1970 Joe Theismann, Notre Dame football
1969 Steve Owens, Oklahoma football
1968 Bill Toomey, Olympic decathlon champion
PHILADELPHIA SPORTS LIVING LEGENDS
2025 Bill Giles, Phillies and the 1984 and ’85 Philadelphia Stars of the USFL
2024 Vince Papale, Eagles and the 1974 & ’75 Philadelphia Flyers
2023 Jay Wright, Villanova
2022 Dick Vermeil, Eagles/Chiefs/Rams
2020 Speedy Morris, St. Joseph’s Prep/LaSalle University
2019 Mike Quick, Eagles
2018 Garry Maddox, Phillies
2017 Eric Lindros, Flyers
2016 Larry Holmes, HOF/Heavyweight Boxing Champion
2015 Chris Ford, Villanova/76ers
2014 Bill Barber, Flyers
2013 Larry Bowa, Phillies
2012 Herb Magee, Philadelphia Univ.
2011 Bill Bergey, Eagles
2010 Red Klotz, Washington Generals
2009 Bernie Parent, Flyers
2008 Harry Kalas
2007 Ernie Beck, Univ. of Pennsylvania
2006 Dick Allen, Phillies
2005 Bill Mlkvy, Temple
2003 Tug McGraw, Phillies
2002 Dr. Jack Ramsay, St. Joseph’s/76ers
2001 Bob Clarke, Flyers
2000 Pete Rose, Phillies
1999 Pete Retzlaff, Eagles
1998 Paul Owens, Phillies
1997 Billy Cunningham, 76ers
1996 Harry Litwack, Temple
1995 Tom Brookshier, Eagles
1994 Curt Simmons, Phillies
1993 Joe Frazier, Heavyweight Boxing Champion
1992 Tommy McDonald, Eagles
1991 Wilt Chamberlain, Warriors/76ers
1990 Guy Rodgers, Temple/Warriors
1989 Rich Ashburn, Phillies
1988 Paul Arizin, Villanova/Warriors
1987 Jim Bunning, Phillies
1986 Chuck Bednarik, Penn/Eagles
1985 Tom Gola, La Salle/Warriors
1984 Del Ennis, Phillies
1983 Steve Van Buren, Eagles
1982 Robin Roberts, Phillies
Past honorees (by sport)
BASEBALL
- Babe Ruth, Jim Thome, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Mike Schmidt, Mike Trout, Roy Halladay, Brad Lidge, Connie Mack, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Steve Carlton, Robin Roberts, Tom Seaver, Tommy John, Ozzie Smith, Mike Piazza, Roy Campanella, Tug McGraw, Richie Ashburn, Tommy Lasorda, Shane Victorino, Rube Waddell, Mickey Cochrane, Tris Speaker, Lefty Grove, Dizzy Dean, Jim Piersall and Jim Abbott, Walter Johnson, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Happy Chandler, Mickey Vernon, Chuck Klein, Ford Frick, Branch Rickey, Jimmie Foxx and Ty Cobb.
FOOTBALL
- Brian Dawkins, LeSean McCoy, Chuck Bednarik, Ron Jaworski, Johnny Unitas, Norm Van Brocklin, Matt Ryan, Jon Runyan, Tyler Matakevich, Bill Bergey, Mark Herzlich, Keenan Reynolds, Tommy McDonald, Steve Van Buren, John Heisman, Rocky Bleier, Greasy Neale, Sid Gillman, Buck Shaw, Sheldon Brown, John Cappelletti, Jimmy Brown, Knute Rockne, Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, Bert Bell, Herschel Walker and Otto Graham.