Seattle’s Sports Soul on Full Display at the Sports Star of the Year Awards

By Linda Lowry-Social in Seattle

Seattle is a sports town in the truest, most electric sense. It’s a city where the pulse of a game day can be felt from the waterfront to the foothills, where youth fields buzz with the same energy as our professional arenas, and where sports aren’t just entertainment, they’re a shared identity. That spirit was unmistakable at the Seattle Sports Commission’s Sports Star of the Year Awards presented by Microsoft, an annual celebration that brings together the athletes, leaders, and community champions who shape the region’s sports culture.

The evening opened with a powerful reminder of Seattle’s deep roots in athletic excellence as Kasey Keller, legendary goalkeeper and cornerstone of the Seattle Sounders’ inaugural MLS era, was honored with a Sports Legend Award. Keller, who guarded the net from 2009 to 2011 and helped establish the Sounders’ identity in their formative years, set the tone for a night that blended nostalgia with forward momentum. That momentum was embodied by Amanda and Hana Moll, the polevaulting twins now competing for the University of Washington, whose meteoric rise earned them the Women’s Sports Star of the Year honor. Fresh off standout performances at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials and the 2025 World Championships, their presence on stage felt like a glimpse into the future of Northwest athletics, bold, fearless, and ready to soar.

On the men’s side, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon SmithNjigba was recognized as the Men’s Sports Star of the Year, celebrated for the spark he has brought to Seattle football since being drafted in the first round in 2023. His emergence as a dynamic offensive playmaker was one of several moments that highlighted the city’s deep connection to the sport, including the induction of this year’s PNW Football Hall of Fame class and the recognition of John Schneider with the Sports Leadership Legacy Award for his enduring influence on the franchise.

The Sports Star Awards have always been about more than athletic performance. They honor the heart of the community, the people and organizations who use sports as a force for good. Mike and Kathy Holmgren received the Humanitarian Award for their ongoing commitment to families and youth across the region, while Bras for Girls was celebrated for its work advancing equity and inclusion for young athletes. The RAVE Foundation earned the Community Impact Award for transforming neighborhoods through play and access, proving once again that a field can be more than a field, it can be a catalyst for connection.

The night also spotlighted the next generation through the Wayne and Anne Gittinger Inspirational Youth Award, presented to Justin and Jacob Rivera, two remarkable young leaders who founded Level the Field Sports after witnessing teammates sidelined by registration costs. Since launching their nonprofit at just eight and nine years old, the brothers have raised more than $250,000 and supported nearly 1,000 underserved youth across Washington, ensuring more kids have the chance to play, belong, and thrive. Their story of empathy, activism, and community impact moved the entire room, while the celebration shifted from heartfelt to jubilant as Dubs the Husky bounded onto the stage to be crowned Mascot of the Year, reminding everyone that spirit and personality are as essential to Seattle sports as any stat line.

The ceremony also paid tribute to the storytellers who bring Seattle’s sports moments to life, highlighted by a heartfelt posthumous honor for Tony Ventrell, who received the Media Excellence Award. Ventrell, a beloved longtime sports reporter and anchor for KOMO 4 News, was known for his warm, human-centered storytelling and his ability to make every athlete, from high school standouts to professional stars, feel seen. His colleagues often recalled his signature sign-off, “Take care of each other out there,” a phrase that captured both his kindness and his belief in the power of community. His legacy continues to shape the way Seattle experiences sports, not just as competition, but as connection.

The evening’s celebration of legacy continued with a second Sports Legend Award presented to Michelle Akers, one of the most influential figures in the history of women’s soccer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Akers was a dominant force on the U.S. Women’s National Team, leading the squad to victory in the 1991 and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and earning FIFA’s title of Female Player of the Century. Her powerful style of play, relentless leadership, and advocacy for the growth of women’s sports have left an indelible mark on the global game. Reflecting on her career, Akers has often said that her approach was simple: “I played every game like it was my last.” Her ties to the Northwest run deep, and her recognition at the ceremony honored not only her extraordinary career but also her enduring influence on the region’s rich soccer heritage.

One of the most poignant moments of the evening came with the recognition of Lenny Wilkens, a figure whose influence on Seattle sports transcends eras, teams, and even the game of basketball itself. In honoring his extraordinary legacy, the Seattle Sports Commission introduced the Lenny Wilkens Sports Leadership Award, created to celebrate individuals whose integrity, mentorship, and community commitment reflect the values Wilkens has embodied throughout his life. The inaugural recipient, John Schneider, has been a cornerstone of the Seattle Seahawks organization since 2010, serving as the team’s Executive Vice President and General Manager. Over his tenure, Schneider has helped shape one of the most successful eras in franchise history, building the roster that delivered Seattle its first Super Bowl championship and fostering a culture rooted in resilience, accountability, and heart. Known for his humility and team-first mindset, Schneider often emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven leadership, once saying, “We’re here to build something bigger than ourselves, to serve, to uplift, and to do things the right way.” His recognition felt especially fitting, reflecting not only his impact on the field but also his deep commitment to community, youth programs, and creating opportunities for the next generation of athletes and leaders.

Wilkens’ impact extends far beyond the hardwood, making the award in his name all the more meaningful. Through the Lenny Wilkens Foundation, he dedicated decades to championing health equity, youth development, and access to compassionate care. His foundation’s long-term support of the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic helped ensure that families across the region, particularly those historically underserved, received culturally grounded, community-centered medical services. Even in his lifetime, Wilkens spoke about his mission with humility and clarity, once saying, “I’ve always believed that if you’ve been fortunate, you should give something back. Helping kids and strengthening families, that’s what matters.” His legacy carried renewed weight throughout the room as leaders, athletes, and fans reflected on the profound ways he shaped Seattle’s identity. With the long-awaited return of the Seattle Supersonics on the horizon, the city can’t help but feel that Wilkens would be deeply proud to see the team he helped define come home. His legacy remains woven into the fabric of Seattle basketball, and the Sonics’ comeback stands as a full-circle moment, one that honors his enduring influence while igniting a new era of hope and possibility.

The celebration also served as a reminder that the Seattle Sports Commission’s work continues long after the awards show ends. In the months ahead, the Commission will host a series of marquee events that further strengthen Seattle’s position as a world-class sports city. Fans and community members can look forward to the Seattle Sports Summit, a gathering of industry leaders and athletes exploring the future of sports and innovation; the Women’s Sports Leadership Breakfast, highlighting the voices shaping the next generation of women’s athletics; the Seattle Sports Commission Golf Classic, a beloved fundraiser that brings together business and sports leaders for a day of friendly competition; and a series of Community Play Days, free family-friendly events designed to expand access to play and youth sports across the region. Each event reflects the Commission’s commitment to elevating sports as a unifying force in Seattle.

The evening culminated with the Sports Story of the Year: the Seattle Seahawks’ unforgettable Super Bowl LX victory, a moment that united the region and reminded fans of the power of belief, grit, and collective pride. It was the perfect capstone to a night that showcased the full spectrum of what sports mean to this city.

For those who want to relive the energy, our team at Seattle Means Business Magazine and Social in Seattle captured exclusive interviews with athletes, honorees, and community leaders. Readers can watch them now on the Seattle Means Business Magazine YouTube channel, SeattleMeansBusiness.