CARLTON PERRY
The difficulty in talking about Willie “Pops” Stargell is where do you start…need you be reminded that he packed the power of 10 men in his 6’2,” 200-pound frame. Enough to be the first player in baseball history to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium…the only human to do it twice, and the longest of the three men to do it (Mike Piazza and Mark McGwire), the multiple MVP awards, the seven time All-Star selections, the 475 home runs or the 1,540 RBIs. If Mr. Stargell had a say in it, he would most likely tell you to look at those stats secondly, and rather focus on the many charitable events and programs he offered. The millions he raised for the Sickle Cell Foundation, the thousands he raised through the fundraising bowling tournaments, the baseball clinics, public appearances, the complimentary tickets. And of course, leaving part of his legacy entrusted to me to continue the recognition of those people who help make Pittsburgh special via the Willie “Pops” Stargell Pittsburgh MVP Awards as illustrated here. Among these awardees were Qiana Buckner, Paul Jones Sr., Mr. Ronnie Tanner, Duane Barber, the Vento Family, and Paul Seneca. (It should be noted that Carlton Perry was selected among 300 musicians and vocalists to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Music Hall.)
DIONNA WESTAY
The similarities between Willie and Connie Hawkins are both ironic and striking. The fact that they lived a block apart in Point Breeze all spoke of destiny to me and how I fit into the equation, a conduit, if you will. Their enormous national and global history, their iconic status and recognition in their respective sports, and more than anything, their unbelievable humility and generosity. That being said, let’s be reminded of the Hawk being recognized as one of the world’s 50 greatest players of all-time, ABA legend and world champion, New York schoolyard legend, credited for taking the game airborne, and recognized by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the greatest basketball player he’s ever seen. To which he also entrusted me with his namesake and thus the operation of the Connie Hawkins Pro/Am NCAA Summer Basketball League. Operating in Pittsburgh for 35 consecutive years, ranked top 10 summer leagues in the nation by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and noted in The Elite Heat in the Street book by Marquette Basketball Coach Al McGuire as a member of “The Elite Heat in the Street” top five leagues along with the L.A. Summer League, the D.C. Coalition League, the Detroit Summer Classic, and, of course, the king of them all, Harlem Rucker League in New York.
SHAWN HAWKINS
The stats from the league are immeasurable; 35 consecutive years, 500-1,000 people a night, hoop stars including Connie, Kenny Durrett, Dr. J., Norm Nixon, Lamman Rucker, Ron Carter, John Marshall, Kirk Bruce, Charles Smith, Sam Chancy, Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, Jim McCoy, Bobby Franklin, Donny Wilson, Clyde Vaughan, Craig Prosser…all national champions, just to name a few. Over 500 players assisted into college, over 100 players given pro opportunities, and thousands of youth served in the basketball camps. (Jennifer Bruce, arguably the greatest female player in Western Pa. history, was the namesake for the women’s division of the Connie Hawkins League.)
This year’s H.O.F. inductees included Carl Grinage, James Middletown, Nate Newsome, Gene Gross, Donny Wilson, Mike Nichols, Rudy Seneca, Steven “The Count” Reid, and Raymond Reid.
ANOTHER SLAM DUNK EVENT!
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