Villanova University Football National Championship Team Honored With 2010 Wanamaker Award

SquashSmarts To Receive Robert P. Levy Community Service Award

This is not a public event.   

WHAT:        The Villanova University football team will receive the 2010 John Wanamaker Athletic Award at a ceremony and luncheon presented by the Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Amerimar/Behringer Harvard. In addition, SquashSmarts will receive the Sports Congress’ Robert P. Levy Community Service Award for its efforts.

WHEN:    Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - Attendees are expected at Noon. Presentation to begin at 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:          Crystal Tea Room, Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East (enter on Juniper Street, between Market and Chestnut streets)

WHO:        Mayor Michael A. Nutter, City of Philadelphia (expected)
                 Andy Talley, Head Football Coach, Villanova University
                 Vince Nicastro, Athletic Director, Villanova University
                  Phil Matusz, Villanova football player, accepting on behalf of team
                  David Montgomery, Chairman, Philadelphia Sports Congress
                  Steve Gregg, Executive Director, SquashSmarts
                  Sakora Miller, Graduating Senior Captain, SquashSmarts
   
DETAILS:    Since 1961, the John Wanamaker Athletic Award has been 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.” In honor of winning the school’s first national championship in football, the Villanova University football team marks the fourth time the school has been recognized. Previous winners include: the men’s basketball team, 1985 and 2006; the women’s basketball team, 2003; and head football coach Andy Talley, 2008 with the Community Service Award.

The Robert P. Levy Community Service Award is presented to the “individual, business or organization that has done the most to contribute to the quality of life in Philadelphia through sports.” SquashSmarts received the award based on its tremendous outreach into the community over the past year. Operating out of Drexel University and North Philadelphia’s Lenfest Center, SquashSmarts combines the sport of squash with academic tutoring and mentoring for under-served, urban youth in order to develop self-esteem and discipline through academic, athletic and personal achievement.

To learn more about the Philadelphia Sports Congress, visit www.philadelphiasportscongress.org.


The Philadelphia Sports Congress (PSC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travel, seeks to attract major sporting events and conventions to the Philadelphia area. The Sports Congress, 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.