Art Rooney Award Winners

The John E. McGrady Award

John E. McGrady was a Lawrencevile native, a civic and political leader, and a good friend of CYA. Members of the McGrady Family have served on the Board of the Catholic Youth Association for over 40 years. During his tenure as an Allegheny County Commissioner from 1968 to 1973, he brought about many important improvements and changes. He pushed for better transit, the development of the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), and the construction of Three Rivers Stadium. The John E. McGrady Award is presented to an individual who, in the fashion of John McGrady, fights for, and brings about improvement and change in the field of government or public service.

The most recent McGrady Award Winner was Dr. Eileen Zungolo, Dean of the School of Nursing at Duquesne University. The complete list of past Award Winners can be seen by clicking here.

In Tribute to "The Gunner"

The Prince award is named for the late Bob Prince; affectionally known as "The Gunner." The colorful Prince broadcasted Pirates Baseball from 1948 to 1975, and coined many great lines during that time. "Kiss it good-by" was his well known home run call. "Chicken on the hill" was a special home run call for blasts by Pirate slugger Willie Stargell. Chicken-on-the-hill was actually a reference to Stargell's chicken restaurant in the Hill District. The restaurant gave away chicken dinners whenever Stargell hit one out of the park. Still another famous Prince invention was the "Green Weenie"--a jinx on opposing teams and hitters. 

The Bob Prince Award is given to the Pittsburgh sport person who best exemplifies perserverance, accomplishment, and love of sport. For a list of past winners, click here.

"Goodnight, good luck, and good news tomorrow..."

Those were the words that Bills Burns used to close every newscast. They're words that most Pittsburghers over the age of 50 still remember because Bill Burns was a towering figure in local broadcasting.

In conjunction with the Rooney Award Dinner, CYA honors a Pittsburgh media professional with an award named for legendary KDKA newscaster Bill Burns. Recent winners include WPXI's Peggy Finnegan, KDKA's Patrice King Brown, and WQED's Michael Bartley. The award criteria involve journalistic excellence as well as an individual's community service involvement. For a complete list of Bill Burns Award Winners, click here.

In Tribute to "The Chief"

"The Chief," the late Arthur J. Rooney, Jr., the partriarch of the Pittsburgh Steerlers, was a larger than life figure. Beloved for his kindness and generosity, Mr. Rooney's favorite charity was the Catholic Youth Association.