The 80th Annual Dapper Dan Dinner and Sports Auction was held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Dick Groat, color commentator for Pitt basketball radio broadcasts, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Groat received the Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding athletic performance during his playing career and imprint on Pittsburgh sports. His sports career began as an All-American basketball player at Duke followed by a season in the NBA in 1952-53. He went on to play shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates and would spend nine years with the Pirates organization.
Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers was named Sportsman of the Year. Unable to attend in person, the award was accepted on his behalf by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
Megan Klingenberg, a member of the World Cup champion US women’s team, was named the Sportswoman of the Year.
The Freddie Fu Sports Leadership Award was presented to Rob and Cindy Citrone, part owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Citrones were honored for their investments in Pittsburgh sports as well as generosity with Pittsburgh area charities.
The Inaugural Dapper Dan Courage Award was presented to Pascal Dupuis of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Dapper Dan charities were created in 1936 by a sports editor at the Post Gazette to raise money for local charities.
