Polamalu named YMCA's Person of the Year

By The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Saturday, February 10, 2007


Steelers Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu was named the Downtown YMCA's Person of the Year, the organization announced Friday.
Polamalu will be honored, along with 100 scholar-athletes from Western Pennsylvania high schools, at the YMCA's 33rd annual scholar-athlete banquet May 31 at the Hilton Hotel, downtown.

Committee members cited Polamalu's strength in spirit, mind and body and support of the YMCA's core values -- caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Last year's recipient was PNC Financial Service Group chairman and CEO James E. Rohr. Previous winners include Jamie Dixon, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Dan Rooney, Lynn Swann, Bill Cowher, Jim Leyland, Dr. Freddie Fu, Stan Savran, Chuck Noll, Andy Russell, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier.

"It is a great honor to be recognized by the YMCA, whose support of children, families and communities is of particular importance to me," said Polamalu, in a statement released by the YMCA. "The true champions of this event, however, are the students being recognized for their accomplishments as scholar-athletes. Their academic and athletic achievements and commitment to working to strengthen their communities are an inspiration to all of us."

Proceeds from the scholar-athlete banquet benefit the downtown YMCA's Strong Communities Campaign and Activate Pittsburgh initiative, which funds after-school programs and provides memberships to individuals and families who can't afford YMCA fees.