VILLANOVA MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ANNOUNCED AS
2016 JOHN WANAMAKER ATHLETIC AWARD WINNERS

Philadelphia City Rowing to be honored with Robert P. Levy Community Service Award, Rahim Thompson to be recognized as City of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

PHILADELPHIA...May 3, 2016... On June 22, the Villanova University's Men's Basketball Team will receive the 2016 John Wanamaker Athletic Award during a ceremony and luncheon at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia. Long before Kris Jenkins' buzzer beater hit the bottom of the net in the title game, the city of Philadelphia had become awash in Villanova Wildcat fever.  On April 4, they cemented their win against the highly touted Tar Heels of the University of North Carolina, earning the title of 2016 NCAA National Champions and bringing Villanova its first basketball championship since 1985.

The John Wanamaker Athletic Award has been bestowed since 1961 and will be presented by PHLSports, a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), in conjunction with Amerimar/TIER REIT. The honor 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.

"We are proud to be associated with all of the great Philadelphia teams that have previously been honored with the John Wanamaker Athletic Award," said Jay Wright, Coach of Villanova's Men Basketball Team. "This is a great tradition in Philadelphia and we're thrilled to have our team and University honored in this way."

Also being recognized at this year's luncheon is Philadelphia City Rowing. Philadelphia City Rowing empowers local public school students through the sport, while also working to increase accessibility to rowing, and diversity within the field. The group 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."

"Philadelphia City Rowing (PCR) is honored to receive the Robert P Levy Community Service Award," said Terry Dougherty, Executive Director of PCR. "In just 5 short years, PCR has doubled in size, serving public high school and middle school students.  We believe that by providing mentoring, swimming, and academic support in conjunction with a highly structured athletic program we can close the achievement gap, stem the Philly drop-out epidemic, and put more young people on the path to higher education, inspiring them to reach their full potential by leading healthier lives." 

Rounding out the honorees, the City of Philadelphia's Parks & Recreation department will present its fifth annual Sports Volunteer of the Year Award to Rahim Thompson, Founder of The Chosen League, which organizes a free summer basketball league for area high school student athletes. 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." 

PHL Sports Chairman and Phillies Chairman David Montgomery commended the award recipients for their contributions.

"Villanova's basketball team had an exceptional season. The way they played the game and the manner in which they handled their success brought tremendous credit to their team, their university and the City of Philadelphia. Jay Wright has done a remarkable job in assembling, coaching and mentoring this group.  They are certainly very deserving recipients for this year's Wanamaker Award. It's also wonderful when participation in sports can enhance the quality of life for our area high school students. Philadelphia City Rowing has done just that and they are appropriately recognized with our prestigious Robert P. Levy Community Service Award. In addition, we're delighted to recognize Rahim Thompson is appropriately recognized for the opportunities to play summer basketball that The Chosen League provides to our area youth," said Montgomery.

PHL Sports, Amerimar/TIER REIT, CBS3, and the Philadelphia Daily News present the Wanamaker Athletic Award ceremony and luncheon. The public participated in the nomination process via ballots in the Philadelphia Daily News and online during April 2016. The Wanamaker Selection Committee, consisting of a cross-section of sports and media representatives, made the final decision. CBS3's Don Bell will emcee the event. Click here to see previous winners.

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PHLSports, a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, seeks to attract major sporting events and conventions to the Philadelphia area. PHLSports , working in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia, the city's professional teams and universities, has attracted many events to the city and is currently working on bids for future sporting events. To learn more, visit  www.discoverPHL.com/phlsports.