2009 PSHOF Pride of Philly Winners Announced

Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame

Honors 2009 Pride of Philly

Winners

Boxer Miguel Cartagena joins basketball teams from Villanova and Archbishop Carroll as Pride of Philadelphia Winners

PHILADELPHIA October 8, 2009 – The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame has announced 2008-09 Villanova Men’s basketball team, Archbishop Carroll’s boys and girls basketball teams and amateur boxer Miguel Cartagena as 2009 Pride of Philly award winners. The award winners will be honored at the Hall of Fame’s upcoming Induction Ceremony.

The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame's Pride of Philadelphia Awards are given annually to deserving teams or individuals who exemplify the spirit and pride of Philadelphia sports. The award is not necessarily a 'team or player of the year', but a recognition of accomplishment by those who made Philadelphia sports fans proud of their town and its rich sports heritage. By definition, the Pride of Philly awards are presented to those "Having represented the Philadelphia area with dignity, determination and class through athletic achievement."

The 2008-09 Villanova Men’s basketball team rode a 30-8 record to the NCAA Final Four, the Big 5’s first Final Four appearance since 1985.   Both the boys and girls teams from Archbishop Carroll won PIAA Class AAA state basketball championships.   Miguel Cartegena, a 16-year old amateur boxer from Philadelphia won the 2009 PA Golden Gloves, US Golden Gloves and US National Championship as a flyweight.

“The 2009 Villanova Wildcats energized the city with an electrifying run to the Final Four”, said Bob Cassidy, Vice President of Operations for the Hall. “The Carroll teams marked the first time both boys and girls teams from one school captured state titles in the same year and Miguel’s two national titles represent Philadelphia’s great boxing heritage.”

For a complete listing of past Pride of Philadelphia winners visit:  http://www.phillyhall.org/prideofphila.asp

The three honorees will be represented at the Hall’s Class VI Induction Ceremonies on Thursday November 12, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Penn’s Landing. Also in attendance will be several inductees from the Hall’s first five classes as well as members of Class VI, who are to be inducted that evening.

Festivities include a cocktail reception, dinner and the Induction proceedings. Attendees may also participate in the silent auction and view museum exhibits featuring items from the Hall of Fame’s unique collection of Philadelphia sports artifacts.

The cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the Induction Ceremony. The banquet is open to the public and tickets can be purchased online at http://www.phillyhall.org/class6, or by calling (215) 923-5121 Ext. 1.

Sponsorship opportunities and preferred seating are still available.