LEGENDS—Shawn Hawkins – Connie Hawkins’ grandson, European Pro League, Connie Hawkins HOF; Major Mark Whited – served at The Pentagon during 9/11 – Willie Stargell Keynote Speaker; Warren Wilson – EPL.
The names literally say it all. And every year the stars shine brighter. This year’s 52nd annual Willie “Pops” Stargell Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania MVP Awards and Connie “The Hawk” Hawkins Nationally Recognized Summer Basketball League Hall of Fame Inductions did not disappoint. Held July 11, 2026, it’s always a star-studded affair that brings out the best in W. Pa. and those who help make Pittsburgh someplace special.
It’s apparently true…that two things can be true at the same time was proven with a grand slam and slam dunk simultaneously. As was mandated to me “52 years” ago by “Pops” as we finished off some of “The Chicken on the Hill with Will” wings…“Neal,” as he called me, “I want you to put together a program that honors the best of us, not just the higher-ups, but those people who are truly FAM-A-LEE. The people who truly make Pittsburgh the City of Champions.” Thus, the Willie “Pops” Stargell MVP Awards was born. (However, it must be noted, it was with the leadership and direction of Coach Bill Shay that helped me solidify and fortify the concept of the awards banquet that still stands today, in part due to him.)
Thanks to you, the loyal readers of “Overtime” for indulging me once again. But you’ve probably heard bits and pieces of how Connie Hawkins changed my life. Straight outta Slippery Rock University where I spent four of the best years of my life, playing every game but the most important one until my last year…academics. Finally getting a clue, I not only survived, but I managed to get a degree and everything (OK, OK, enough jokes. But as it turns out, everything is for a reason). Not being good enough to live out my childhood dream to play at Penn State, my path already laid out, took me to the Rock.
A born and bred football guy from as early as the sixth grade, I knew little or nothing about basketball but to do it to break a serious sweat. Somehow and amazingly, I had three legends posters on my apartment wall at the Rock. Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and…wait for it…I am about to connect the proverbial dots here, yep, Connie Hawkins (I just knew about his story and struggle). Flash forward five years, I am standing in front of the newly remodeled Homewood-Brushton YMCA where I was the Acting Program Director when I met Connie, Kenny Durrett, Will Graham, and Sterling Smith…they were working out at “the Y” because Connie was still playing. In fact, leaving the Phoenix Suns to play for the L.A. Lakers.
I asked “Hawk” if I could name a basketball league after him that I was going to start at “the Y,” and the rest, as you know, is history. (If you don’t know by now, you missed it…man did you miss it!)
After 35 years of operating one of the nation’s top 10 summer basketball leagues as rated by the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper, thanks to the endless superior talent of Pittsburgh and W. Pa. players, we set in motion the Hall of Fame Inductions, locking in some of the world’s greatest players, who in fact made the league famous.
Think I am exaggerating? Here’s what ya missed (all of the following players are Connie Hawkins Hall of Fame inductees): Connie Hawkins—Phoenix Suns/LA Lakers, Kenny Durrett —La Salle University— K.C. Kings, Will Graham —NBA, Maurice Lucas—World Champion Portland Trailblazers, Norm Nixon—World Champion L.A. Lakers, Ron Carter—L.A. Lakers, Clyde Vaughan —Pitt—EPL, Bobby Byrd —Legend, Tim Appleton —EPL, Kirk Bruce—ABA, Bobby Franklin—Legend —Point Park University Hall of Fame, Darelle Porter—Pitt, Keith Starr—Pitt, Sam Clancy—NBA and NFL, Bruce Atkins—Philadelphia 76ers, Moon Howard—Harlem Globetrotters, Shawn Hawkins—EPL, Chris Seneca—Bucknell University, Darrin Walls—Houston Rockets, Clarence Hopson—Washington Bullets, Magic Mike Williams—NCAA Div. I—Legend, Billy Varner —Notre Dame—EPL, Gerald “Scoot” Warwick—Harlem Wizards, Karen Hall—UNLV, Jennifer Bruce—Pitt, Margo Hinton—IUP, “Flyin’ Myron” Brown—Slippery Rock—Minnesota Timberwolves, The Great Hosea Champine—Legend —Robert Morris College, Carlita Jones—Clarion, Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, Miami Heat…yep, that White Chocolate, Darin Poindexter—EPL, Rico Abbondanza—ABA, Ron Brown—Penn State—New York Knicks, Jeff Baldwin—Duquesne Uni, “Big John” Marshall —Penn State—EPL, Maurice Brown—San Jose State, Tom “Bum” Coates —Legend, Morrie “Skylab” Cox—Airborne Legend, Odell Miller—CHL-HOF, Levi “Ice Cream” Taylor— CHL-HOF, Eric “Crusher” Jefferson—Northeastern University, Shawn Harvy—CHL-HOF, Jimmy Nichols—CHL-HOF, Darren Morningstar—Pitt— Dallas Mavericks, just to name a few.
Phylicia Swain—Stargell awardee, named Teacher of the Month by WTAE-TV at African Centered Academy at Pittsburgh Miller School. (PHOTOS BY BARRETT SCHLEY)
PLEASE, SOMEBODY STOP ME, I COULD DO THIS ALL NIGHT!!! And now you see why we have the Connie Hawkins Hall of Fame. (Speaking of all this stuff, don’t forget the 52nd Annual Connie Hawkins League Summer Basketball Reunion, Saturday, August 15th, 6 to 10 p.m. at the Noblemen’s Club, Frankstown Road, Penn Hills. All “Ballers” and guests from any summer league are welcome. Cash bar, cash menu, free wings and fries. $20 donation to benefit Achieving Greatness Inc. “Safe Summer” Youth Programs.)
The capacity crowd at the event was treated to a variety of star power from every possible direction. And in the process helped raise money for the Achieving Greatness “Safe Summer Youth Programs.”
Connie Hawkins Hall of Fame Guest Speaker and Corporate Executive Bobby Franklin – Point Park University.
All this blinding star power was made possible thanks to the co-sponsorship of Senator Jay Costa, UPMC, Pirate Charities, Bowser of Monroeville, Jack Goodrich and Associates, Diversified Municipal Services, Frank Fuhrer Wholesale Co., the New Pittsburgh Courier, Goodrich and Geist, P.C., Briggs Transport Co., Cyber Athletix, and of course, the Comfort Inn Penn Hills. See you next year at the Great Hall!
