Former Philadelphia Eagles player Brian Dawkins will be the keynote speaker at the Katz JCC’s annual Sports Award Dinner, presented by Friedman LLP, on Thursday, Dec. 12. Dawkins will speak about the positive impact that sports has had on his life and share some of his favorite football memories. He joins the ranks of past JCC Sports Award Dinner keynote speakers, including Donovan McNabb, Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino, Aly Raisman and Doug Collins.
“Brian Dawkins was a fan favorite when he was an Eagle, and we are honored to welcome him to the Katz JCC’s Sports Award Dinner,” Event Chair Neil Levine said. “It is also a wonderful opportunity to honor and recognize three Jewish members of our community for their contributions to sports and athletics.”
Dawkins, who will be eligible for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, played in the NFL for 16 seasons. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft, where he played for 13 seasons. He also played for the Denver Broncos for his final three seasons from 2009 to 2012. Dawkins was a nine-time Pro-Bowl player, and a member of the Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team, the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and the 20/20 Club.
The annual event, open to the entire community, will also honor and recognize three local community members who have made positive contributions to sports and athletics and serve as positive role models to children, teens and adults in our community.
Jeff Brown of Cherry Hill, a former JCC Board vice president, will receive the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contribution to youth sports leagues at the JCC. Over the years, Brown has coached youth basketball, supported the Jr. Maccabi youth basketball league as the presenting sponsor and founded the Sports Award Dinner more than four years ago.
Hank Davis of Cherry Hill will receive the David Back Memorial Maccabi Award for his sportsmanship and involvement in numerous community-service projects over the years. A Cherry Hill High School East graduate who is currently a freshman at LaSalle University, Davis is a former South Jersey Maccabi athlete who played on the basketball team for four years. The David Back Memorial Maccabi Award was established in memory of a former beloved Maccabi swimmer to recognize a Maccabi athlete that shows leadership qualities on and off the field and a strong sense of Jewish identity.
Brett Kratchman of Marlton will receive the People’s Choice Award. A past JCC Board member, Kratchman has been a longtime supporter of many Katz JCC events, including the Kids Triathlon and the Cherry Hill Volvo 5K Road Race. He has also been a coach for the JCC’s Junior Maccabi Youth Basketball League and the Mid-Atlantic Junior Maccabi Games.
Proceeds from the Sports Award Dinner will provide financial assistance and services for children of all ages and abilities at the Katz JCC including youth sports leagues, nutrition counseling, wellness classes, obesity prevention and adaptive fitness and aquatics programs for those with special needs.
General admissions tickets are available for $75, and patron ticket packages with reserved seating are also available. To purchase tickets, please visit www.katzjcc.org or call 424–4444 ext. 1267.
