Northwestern Pennsylvania High School Sports Awards

The Northwestern Pennsylvania High School Sports Awards is an athletic recognition program honoring the area’s top-performing athletes, coaches and teams. The nine-month program, selecting and announcing nominees each season, culminates in an in-person awards show where winners are announced and special awards are given. Attendance to the June awards show is complimentary for nominated athletes, thanks to our sponsors. Family, friends and supporters can purchase tickets to attend. Tickets include a carpet walk and photos, awards presentation and inspirational talk with a special guest professional athlete.

This program is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards. Follow the Facebook Event and sign up for email updates to keep up with local nominee selections, the awards show and special announcements. Follow our main Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads pages for more.

LATEST UPDATE: Thanks for coming out, Erie! We had a great time celebrating this year’s nominees and announcing the winners! Winners and nominees, get your social cards now and view the event news coverage now. We’ll see you next year!

Show Special Guest

Appearing LIVE at this year’s Northwestern Pennsylvania High School Sports Awards will be none other than Arizona Cardinals Running Back and 2x Pro Bowler, James Conner. At the event, he will provide an inspirational talk with a question and answer session.

About James Conner

A native of Erie, PA, James attended McDowell High School in Millcreek Township where he was a running back and defensive lineman for the Trojans. After rushing for 1,680 yards on 155 carries and 26 touchdowns, James committed to play college football at the University of Pittsburgh. During his sophomore year at Pitt, James led the ACC in rushing yards, garnering ACC Player of the Year and First-Team All-American honors. While rehabbing an injury his junior year, James was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After undergoing chemotherapy treatments, James announced on May 23, 2016, via Twitter, that he was cancer free. Choosing to forego his senior year at Pitt, James declared for the 2017 NFL draft where the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted him in the third round (105th pick overall). During the 2018 NFL season, Head Coach Mike Tomlin named James the Steelers’ starting running back. He made the most of that opportunity, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week and AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors in October. He was also named to the 2019 Pro Bowl and was the starting running back for the AFC Pro Bowl Team. In 2021, James signed a free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals. That same year, he was named to his second Pro Bowl. During the 2023-24 NFL season, James rushed for 1,040 yards with the Cardinals, his first 1000+ yard season in his NFL career. Considered the Cardinals’ emotional leader and linchpin of the backfield, James is looking for big things for the 2024-25 season.