The Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative recently created the Dawn Staley Legacy Award to recognize exceptional leadership in women’s sports. The first edition of the honor was bestowed upon all six coaches who head the Big 5 women’s basketball programs, a tribute that also generated vital resources for the Philly Youth Sports Fund.
Honoring Leadership on the Court
Cindy Griffin, Diane Richardson, Mountain MacGillivray, Amy Mallon, and Mike McLaughlin were presented with the award, while Michelle Sword accepted the honor on behalf of Denise Dillon, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the event.
Amy Mallon, who shares a longstanding friendship with Dawn Staley from their days in the American Basketball League, spoke about Staley’s profound influence on the growth of women’s basketball and the development of youth programs across the city.
A Philanthropic Play Off the Court
The ceremony also celebrated Jordan Mailata, offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, who received the Montgomery‑Wanamaker Citizen Award for his extensive community service. Since joining the Eagles in 2018, Mailata has organized a Christmas album with teammates Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce to support Operation Snowball, and he recently launched the Mailata Family Foundation, which will hold its inaugural benefit concert at Stateside Live! on June 11.
Together, the award and the recognition of Mailata illustrate a growing emphasis on using sports platforms to foster opportunity for young people, blending athletic excellence with tangible community impact.