Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr. always held three things close to his heart.
Family, faith and football.
His passion was his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. He built a football legacy that continued with his family, his son, Dan Rooney Sr., and now his grandson, Steelers President Art Rooney II.
And his faith he always held close, which inspired him to give back to others in need, those who were suffering the most.
That desire to give back is felt to this day by those at the Catholic Youth Association (CYA), a local organization that Art Rooney Sr., known as 'The Chief,' stepped in to help when he saw they were struggling financially back in the 1970s. He wanted to help one of his favorite charities, one that embodied the Catholic faith that was a major part of his life, ensuring that they would be able to continue with their mission.
It was from that passion that the Art Rooney Award Dinner was born, an annual event that benefits the CYA. It's an event that has embodied what he believed in, and one Art Rooney II still oversees, with his son Dan Rooney also an integral part of it as well.
"It's really special so many people come together and keep it going after so many years now, 50 plus years," said Steelers President Art Rooney II. "I know my grandfather and my father would be happy we're still doing this. Thanks to all the people that make it happen."
The annual dinner was held on Tuesday night at Acrisure Stadium, bringing together Pittsburgh's leaders in business, education and sports to combine efforts to help the CYA serve the most vulnerable in the community…children and the elderly. The dinner honors those that have made a difference in the community and have a passion for Pittsburgh.
Among the honorees this year is Duquesne University President Ken Gormley, who received the Art Rooney Award, presented to an individual for their service to the region and caring for the community the way Art Rooney Sr. did.
"Ken is amazing, just full of energy," said Rooney. "He's done a tremendous job. The way the university is expanding in this day and age, it's pretty remarkable, that's for sure."
Gormley was humbled by receiving the honor.
"I've told people that for someone like me from Pittsburgh, this is like winning an Emmy Award," said Gormley. "It's just an unbelievable honor. As you know, Art Rooney is not only an iconic figure in the history of Pittsburgh, he's also an iconic figure in the history of Duquesne. It's so much fun to look at those connections and see how deep they are. He attended Duquesne Prep School, but we also found newspaper stories showing The Chief attended Duquesne University and he is in the Duquesne Hall of Fame, which I like to say is right up there with the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And other generations have attended Duquesne as well, including Art II, who we're proud to say is a Duquesne Law School graduate.
"So, receiving this award named after The Chief, who was the patriarch of this family dynasty and the Steelers and is an integral part of Duquesne really means more than any other award that I can imagine."
Gormley has been Duquesne's president since 2016 and when he first took over, he shared that he wanted the university to be a key part of the city. They have grown in a multitude of ways, including opening a new College of Osteopathic Medicine building, which welcomed their inaugural class in July.
"One of my chief goals was to have the university be a major part of the next era in this region and the city, and that's what we've been doing," said Gormley. "I'm more excited about the future of this region, and Duquesne's is part in that, than I've ever been.
"And that also entails being deeply involved in the community. We want to be major architects of community engagement. I know that's something the Rooney family believes in deeply. We're following that path as well."
The past year was a dream come true in the sports realm for the University as well, with the Dukes' men's basketball team earning their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1977.
"It was surreal," said Gormley. "I had high hopes for our team, but I wasn't fully ready for the thrill and excitement and what that meant for our whole university and our city. I grew up in Pittsburgh. I always told my friends when I went away to school that Pittsburgh is the greatest city in the world. And I believe that. But one of the things that is so special about our city is we all get behind each other and celebrate successes together. As a kid, I remember driving downtown when the Steelers won two Super Bowls and the Pirates won the World Series and Pitt won the Sugar Bowl. Everyone comes together and celebrates. That's how it felt last season.
"We had hordes of Pittsburgh fans and Duquesne alums traveling to the tournament games and celebrating together. We made a lot of noise in those arenas. There was so much excitement here. There were so many celebrations in the city that made it clear these victories were important to all of us. It was the whole university that brought something special, where we could all be proud as Pittsburghers.
"It was such a magical time. It's something I'll never forget. I'm still carrying around a piece of the net from the A-10 tournament in my wallet. Most university presidents never get to experience something like this. But I'll tell you, for someone who grew up in Pittsburgh and this is their hometown, there is nothing that will ever match it for me."
Continuing with the Duquesne feel the night had, former Dukes basketball coach Keith Dambrot was honored as the recipient of the Bob Prince Award. The award is named after Prince, the late Pittsburgh Pirates radio announcer and honors someone who embodies his enthusiasm for Pittsburgh sports and the community.
"The award to me is interesting and special because I was a big Pittsburgh Pirates fan growing up," said Dambrot. "I used to listen to Bob Prince all the time, even though I lived in Akron, Ohio.
"My mother was from Pittsburgh, my dad played at Duquesne, and I just became a Pirates fan. To get the award named after him means a lot to me because I used to listen to him."
Dambrot became Duquense's men's basketball coach in 2017, after a successful career at the University of Akron. Last season he led Duquesne to an Atlantic-10 championship, when his team won four games in five days to earn an NCAA Tournament berth, the first for the school since 1977.
"That was great. That was fun," said Rooney. "The revival of Duquesne basketball is great to see. When I was very young, Duquesne basketball was one of the big sports in the city. So, it's nice to see them make a comeback here."
Duquesne went on to win their first-round game, but lost in the second round, while igniting the city and the fan base. Dambrot retired at the end of the season, ending an incredible coaching career on a high note.
"One of the reasons I came is I got tired of hearing my dad, who's since passed away, complaining about Duquesne not being good and how great they used to be," said Dambrot. "If you really analyze it, Duquesne was really one of the first champions in the City of Champions. I think a lot of the older fans or donors, we kind of put them out of their misery. They got to feel good about themselves and feel good about the basketball program, which hadn't been in the NCAA tournament in a long time. So, it was a good deal.
"That's why I came to Duquesne. People don't leave their hometown, where they went to school, where their mother was a professor, to try something new. But I thought Duquesne was my second school, so it was a natural move for me. A lot of people shied away from the job because people hadn't won there. I felt like the risk versus the reward was pretty good at that stage of my life."
Dambrot, who coached NBA great LeBron James in high school, said one of the lessons he always tried to teach his players was something he has seen in James. To never forget where you came from.
"I think that's important," said Dambrot. "When you play sports, you need some kind of arrogance about you because you have to think you're good. You have to believe that you're better than the other people. But you also need humility. I think you need to have a humble arrogance about you.
"That's one thing that I tried to do with players, teach them lessons like that. Teach them that you're going to need people along the way. You have to make friends; you have to make contacts. You have to get to know people. And you have to be a good person or they're really not going to help you."
In addition, Diane Hupp, the President of UPMC Children's Hospital, was presented with the Patricia R. Rooney Award, named after the late wife of Dan Rooney Sr. and presented annually to a woman who has provided exceptional service to the Pittsburgh community.
"My mom would be very proud of this and proud of what Diane has done," said Rooney. "Somebody that deserves this kind of recognition, that's for sure."
And in theme with the night, she is a Duquesne University graduate.
"I'm extremely humbled and honored to receive this award in her memory," said Hupp. "I know Patricia Rooney was an extraordinary woman who was known for her commitment, integrity, grace and service to the community. When I think about that, and I think about the legacy that she had with the organization and the Steelers, it resonates with me. When you're able to connect to the mission, the organization that you serve and that you work for in particular all my life, it keeps you thriving. It keeps you coming back. Some may say, 'Wow. One organization for nearly 40 years. That's a long time.' But there's never been a day when I look back and say, I should have, could have done something different because improving the health and well-being of children is my passion as well as giving back to the community I grew up in.
"Children's has an extraordinary team. This award, I'm accepting it, but I firmly believe this award is about the people of Children's Hospital, the people that give their hearts and souls every day to this organization."
Hupp has spent her life giving back through her work at Children's Hospital, starting out as a volunteer while a student at Duquesne University and being there for almost 40 years.
"It's been a privilege of a lifetime to serve for nearly four decades at Children's Hospital, and in my younger years serving as a nurse," said Hupp. "I didn't always know at that point I wanted to serve in the leadership role. But I started as a volunteer, then in nursing. I think once you're a nurse, you're always a nurse and the care and compassion are embedded in me. I thank my mom for that.
"To be able to have impact and influence and to be able to come into the lives of these children and families. It is a special privilege not everyone gets in life. I'm grateful for the opportunities in general that I've had over the years here, from serving at bedside to working in operating rooms, to working in the ambulatory areas. A long time I was the chief nurse here, you know, for almost 20 years, the chief nurse and vice president of hospital operations. And now in the role as president, it even gives me a greater opportunity to influence beyond the city of Pittsburgh, because we're growing our footprint in central Pennsylvania, in northwestern Pennsylvania, and bringing expert care to kids and families who are so grateful for having the care in their home community and in their backyard."
There were also others honored for their incredible work in their fields, including KDKA TV's Kristine Sorensen, who won the Bill Burns Award, named after the late KDKA-TV news anchor and an award that stands for journalistic excellence.
Rich Fitzgerald, the Executive Director of Southwest PA Commission, received the John McGrady Award.
