Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – May 5, 2016 – Philadelphia City Rowing (PCR), which was established in 2010 to empower Philadelphia public school students through the sport of rowing, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Robert P. Levy Community Service Award presented by PHLSports, a business development division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.

PCR will receive their award on Wednesday, June 22^nd, during the John Wanamaker Athletic Awards ceremony and luncheon at the Crystal Tea Room in the historic Wanamaker Building in Center City Philadelphia.

According to PHLSports Chairman and Philadelphia Phillies Chairman David Montgomery, “It’s wonderful when participation in sports can enhance the quality of life for our area high school students.  Philadelphia City Rowing has done just that and they are appropriately recognized with our prestigious Robert P. Levy Community Service Award.”

The Robert P. Levy Community Service has been presented annually since 1996 to an individual or organization that has done the most to “improve the quality of life in Philadelphia through sports.”  Previous winners include:  The Flyers’ Wives Fight for Lives; Sonny Hill; The Police Athletic League; Pat Croce; Joe Hand Boxing Gym; Philadelphia Phillies; Coaches vs. Cancer; Alex’s Lemonade Stand; Eagles Youth Partnership; The Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation; and Special Olympics Philadelphia.

“Philadelphia City Rowing is honored to receive the Robert P Levy Community Service Award,” said Terry Dougherty, Executive Director of PCR. “In just five short years, PCR has doubled in size, serving public high school and middle school students.  We believe that by providing mentoring, swimming, and academic support in conjunction with a highly structured athletic program we can close the achievement gap, stem the Philly drop-out epidemic, and put more young people on the path to higher education, inspiring them to reach their full potential by leading healthier lives.” 

PCR strives to provide an atmosphere that encourages excellence, teamwork, accountability and sportsmanship.  PCR works to reinforce these values and help student-athletes apply them to all aspects of their lives. Aiming recruiting efforts to retain "at-risk" students who, historically, have not had access to the sport is a priority.  PCR student-athletes must focus on their education, and understand the correlation to future success   In order to advance the mission PCR provides academic services, including tutoring and SAT preparation, proficiency in swimming, nutrition education and a mentoring program, which pairs student-athletes with adult role models from the rowing community. This multi-faceted programming leverages staff, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and community partners to provide all PCR student-athletes a wide variety of services and opportunities for development.

PHLSports, Amerimar/TIER REIT, CBS3, 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 2016. The Wanamaker Selection Committee, consisting of a cross-section of sports and media representatives, made the final decision.

About Philadelphia City Rowing: 

Philadelphia City Rowing seeks to empower local public school students through the sport of rowing. It was established in 2010 and its objectives are to: establish a Public School Rowing Team that is competitive locally, regionally and nationally, and creates the opportunity for participants to pursue rowing at the collegiate level and beyond; use competitive rowing as a vehicle to improve the health, well-being, self-confidence and academic success of Philadelphia’s public school students; involve participants in one of Philadelphia’s greatest sporting traditions. Additional information is available at http://www.PhiladelphiaCityRowing.org.

Media Contact for Philadelphia City Rowing:  Jim Delorenzo, Jim DeLorenzo Public Relations, 215-266-5943, jim@jhdenterprises.com