He started the annual Man of the Year banquet in 1936. This grew into the annual P-I Sports Stars of the Year program, which honored the city's greatest sports achievers. The event eventually grew past its downtown men's club feel to embrace professional sports and the diversity of the local sports scene. Since the awards inception, almost 100 athletes, coaches and many other sports professionals have been named Sports Star of the Year and have joined an elite ensemble of some of the best sports icons in our region's history.

But following closure in March 2009 of the print P-I, the 74 year old event was in jeopardy. With the help of the Seattle Sports Commission and Seattle Children's Hospital, the Sports Star of the Year celebrated its 75th year on the big stage at Benaroya Hall.  Over 1,000 people came out, and watched history unfold before their eyes.  The Seattle Sports Commission is committed to protect and grow this program as one of the longest-tenured events of its kind in the nation.

Please join us on January 26, 2011 at Benaroya Hall to commemorate 75 years of sports in the Northwest.