Eagles running back LeSean McCoy was named winner of the 2014 Wanamaker Athletic Award Thursday, joining such legends as Wilt Chamberlain, Mike Schmidt and Reggie White.
The award, bestowed in Philadelphia since 1961, recognizes 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.
McCoy earned AP-first-team All Pro and Pro Bowl honors during the 2013 season, a year in which he led National Football League in rushing and yards from scrimmage.
The award will be presented to McCoy by the Philadelphia Sports Congress at a luncheon on July 2 at the Wanamaker Building’s Crystal Tea Room.
Also being recognized at this year’s event is the Black Women in Sport Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the involvement of black women and girls in all aspects of sport including athletics, coaching and administration. The foundation will receive the Robert P. Levy Community Service Award, presented to an individual or organization that has done the most to “improve the quality of life in Philadelphia through sports.”
In addition, the City of Philadelphia’s Parks & Recreation Department will present its fourth annual Sports Volunteer of the Year Award to Ruth Bullfounder of the International Tuzos Philadelphia Soccer Academy and manager of the International Soccer 7 league and the Capitolo Chicks soccer team.
The Philadelphia Sports Congress will also award a Lifetime Achievement Award to Tina Sloan Green, co-founder and president of the Black Women in Sport Foundation. Sloan Green, the first African-American head coach in the history of women’s intercollegiate lacrosse. She was head coach of the Temple’s Women’s Lacrosse Team from 1973-1992. During that time she led the Owls to three National Championships and 11 consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances.
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The John Wanamaker Athletic Award 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. Here is a list of past 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
