Fran Dunphy, David Montgomery to receive Wanamaker awards
The two will be honored during a June 11 ceremony at the Crystal Tea Room.
Two longtime major influences on the Philadelphia sports community are this year’s main recipients of the John Wanamaker Athletic Awards.
Recently retired Temple basketball coach Fran Dunphy will be given the John Wanamaker Award, and Phillies executive David Montgomery will receive a lifetime achievement award during the June 11 ceremony at the Crystal Tea Room.
Initiated in 1961, the Wanamaker recognizes an “athlete, team or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia during a given year.” PHL Sports, a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, presents the award.
Dunphy, who played at Malvern Prep and La Salle University, has the most wins (580) ever in Big 5 history as a coach at Temple and Penn.
“I am truly humbled to be presented with this prestigious honor,” Dunphy said in a statement. “I want to thank not only the Wanamaker Award committee that thought highly enough of my achievements to recognize me, but to all of my student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who have allowed me to do what I have done throughout the course of my career. It has always been about them.”
Montgomery, who began his Phillies career in 1971 as a ticket salesman, followed Bill Giles as general partner from 1997-2014. He has been the Phillies chairman since 2015.
“David means so much for so many people in this city,” Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO Julie Coker Graham said. “We’ve been honored to have him serve as Chairman of PHL Sports’ Advisory Board for the last 10 years.”
The Robert P. Levy Community Service Award winner is Give and Go Athletics. Founded in 2009 by Caleb Jones and Andre Wright, the nonprofit brings structured programming and emotional support to youths in North Philadelphia.
Presented by the Philadelphia’s Parks & Recreation Department, the seventh annual Sports Volunteer of the Year Award will be given to Jayhawks Youth Association president and founder Andre Crews.