The Sports Awards at The Katz JCC honors and recognizes tri-state sports figures as well as community leaders who serve as role models to the children, teens, and adults of our community. The event will feature Ryan Howard from the Philadelphia Phillies and will be moderated by Larry Bowa, with a special appearance by Charlie Manuel. They will speak about the positive impact that sports have had on their lives as well as suitable tributes to the distinguished honorees.

Larry Bowa is a former professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played sixteen seasons in the major leagues, twelve years as the starting shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies then another four with the Cubs.  Bowa was  the starting shortstop in 1980 when the Phillies won the first-ever World Series Championship.   Larry was a 5-time All-Star, 2-time Gold Glove winner and was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame in 1991. Over the next several years he coached for the Philadelphia Phillies, Anaheim Angels, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.  Larry's career has spanned over 55 years in professional baseball, and he currently serves as senior advisor to the Phillies General Manager.

Ryan Howard, revered in baseball and philanthropy, dedicates himself to uplifting youth both within and beyond the sports arena. His journey from Lafayette High School to the MLB with the Philadelphia Phillies is defined not just by his remarkable athletic feats, but also by his steadfast dedication to community service. Drafted in 2001, Howard swiftly rose to prominence, earning accolades like the NL Rookie of the Year and NL MVP awards. Off the field, his impact is equally profound, evident in his involvement with the Philadelphia Action Team and the establishment of the Ryan Howard Big Piece Foundation in 2013, alongside his wife Krystle. Through initiatives like the Ryan Howard Reading Challenge, he promotes literacy and educational enrichment. His influence extends nationwide, with contributions to the Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy, ensuring access to education and sports opportunities for future generations. As the Lead Ambassador for MLB’s Commissioner's Ambassador Program, Howard continues to shape the next wave of athletes, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and excellence that inspires generations to come.

Charlie Manuel is a former baseball player, coach, and manager, who is currently a senior advisor to the Phillies General Manager. During his playing career, he appeared over parts of six MLB seasons for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers before playing another six seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yakult Swallows and Kintetsu Buffaloes. After his playing career, he coached and managed the Cleveland Indians and managed the Philadelphia Phillies, winning the 2008 World Series over the Tampa Bay Raya and the 2009 National League Championship Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was inducted to the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame in 2014. Manuel compiled a 1000-826 record as a major league manager including 780 wins with the Phillies, making him the winningest manager in Phillies History