Villanova basketball team wins Wanamaker Award

The Villanova men's basketball team, which won the national title last month, is this year's recipient of the John Wanamaker Athletic Award, which  "honors the athlete, team or organization that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia."

The award, which has been given since 1961, will be presented on June 22 at a luncheon at the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building. It is sponsored by PHLSports, a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Amerimar/TIER REIT, CBS3, and the Daily News.

Last year, the award went to the Taney Dragons Little League Baseball team.

"We are proud to be associated with all of the great Philadelphia teams that have previously been honored with the John Wanamaker Athletic Award," Villanova coach Jay Wright said in a statement. "This is a great tradition in Philadelphia and we're thrilled to have our team and university honored in this way."

Also being recognized is Philadelphia City Rowing, which 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."

The organization empowers public school students through the sport, while also working to increase accessibility to rowing, and diversity.

Finally, Rahim Thompson will be recognized as City of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Sports Volunteer of the Year.

Thompson is founder of The Chosen League, which organizes a free summer basketball league for area high school student athletes.