A Message from Our Board President

DEAR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY,

It gives me great pleasure and consistently puts a smile on my face when I think of the support the Willie Thrower Award Foundation (WTAF) has received from you over the past several years. Just as important is my excitement about the growth of the organization, and our Board of Directors as well as the Thrower Family stands with me as we remain inspired about our future.

Willie Thrower’s life and legacy woven throughout WTAF’s mission is a true catalyst for bringing communities together and uplifting our youth. In fact, over the past five years, we have interacted with 120 high schools in southwestern PA, connected with dozens of high school administrators and Coaches, and engaged with over 60 premier student athletes through our events, skills camps, and recognition ceremonies.

But I would be remiss in my thanks to you if I did not point out our extraordinary 70th Anniversary Celebration in October 2023 of Willie taking that historic first snap as a NFL Quarterback. We had no idea that you would embrace the four-day event by naming the annual Valley High School Homecoming Parade after Willie Thrower; that you would invite his sons and widow to lead the parade; that you would strengthen his national reputation as a great athlete and invite Good Morning America, The Chicago Tribune, KDKA, WGN-TV, and the Chicago Bears into our community to learn more about Willie Thrower and his accomplishments; that you would hold a “Community Day” featuring youth skills camps, a Children’s Corner, food, music, arts and crafts, and area businesses to recognize Willie’s skills as a change agent and leader; and that you would raise over $1,000 at the first annual Thrower Heart Walk.
 

You have given new meaning to the adage that without you, we are nothing, but with you, WTAF is everything! On behalf of the WTAF organization please accept my sincere gratitude and hope that we will continue to work together to honor this “giant” by the name of Willie Thrower, Sr.​

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Sincerely,

Melvyn E. Smith

President

Willie Thrower Memorial Award

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