PHILADELPHIA…May 14, 2014… LeSean “Shady” McCoy is regarded as one of the NFL's most explosive and versatile offensive players, which helped to earn him AP-first-team All Pro and Pro Bowl honors during 2013 while leading the league in rushing and yards from scrimmage. On July 2, McCoy will be recognized for his accomplishments when he accepts the 2014 John Wanamaker Athletic Award at the Wanamaker Building's Crystal Tea Room. The award, which has been bestowed since 1961, will be presented by the Philadelphia Sports Congress (PHL Sports), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), in conjunction with Amerimar/Behringer Harvard.  It 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.

A second-round draft choice, McCoy made an immediate impact during his rookie season in 2009 and seamlessly transitioned to his role as the Eagle's starting running back in his second year where he continues to make and break records.

“I am humbled and appreciative to be named the John Wanamaker Award winner for 2014. It's an unbelievable honor to share an award that has been previously won by Dr. J, Reggie White, Charles Barkley, Randall Cunningham, Bernard Hopkins and Mike Schmidt,” said McCoy. “It is an amazing feeling. I want to thank my teammates, my coaches and the entire Eagles organization for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to play in this great city of Philadelphia.”

Also being recognized at this year's award luncheon is the Black Women in Sport Foundation (BWSF), 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 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.”

In addition, the City of Philadelphia's Parks & Recreation Department will present its fourth annual Sports Volunteer of the Year Award to Ruth Bull, founder of the International Tuzos Philadelphia Soccer Academy and manager of the International Soccer 7 league and the Capitolo Chicks soccer team, where her work has helped to foster the athletic dreams of local children. 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.”

This year, 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. As the first African-American head coach in the history of women's intercollegiate lacrosse, Sloan Green was head coach of the Temple University Women's Lacrosse Team from 1973-1992. During that time she led the Owls to three National Championships and 11consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances.

The Sports Congress, Amerimar/Behringer Harvard, CBS-3, 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. The Wanamaker Selection Committee, consisting of a cross-section of sports and media representatives, made the final decision. CBS3's Beasley Reece will emcee the event.

The Philadelphia Sports Congress (PHLSports), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.discoverPHL.com, 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. To learn more about the Philadelphia Sports Congress, visit www.discoverPHL.com/phlsports.

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