SEATTLE — Local sports superstars gathered in Seattle Thursday night for the 89th annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year Awards show.
Seahawks legend K.J. Wright hosted the 2024 show, put on by the Seattle Sports Commission (SSC). The event will take place at The Westin Seattle.
Dubbed "Washington's biggest night out for sports," the annual event honors the achievements of Washington athletes both professional and collegiate, among other categories.
Michael Penix Jr. and the University of Washington were the main attraction, as the former Husky quarterback won Men's Sports Star of the Year. The UW football team also won the Sports Story of the Year Award after their undefeated regular season and trip to the national championship game.
The Women's Sports Star of the Year Award went to Seattle Storm star Jewell Loyd, who led the Women's National Basketball Association in scoring during the 2023 season and was named the league's All-Star Game MVP.
The SSC previously announced the honorees for tonight's event, which include ice hockey great Guyle Fielder, retired Seattle Times sports columnist Larry Stone, youth softball enthusiast Olivia Vitello and Rise Above, a nonprofit empowering Native youth.
Voting for the most anticipated awards, Seattle Sports Star and Story of the Year, was held in mid-January.
Five coaching greats were up for the Sports Leader of the Year Award, including Washington State University women's basketball head coach Kamie Ethridge, Seattle University men's soccer head coach Pete Fewing, Seattle Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey, Seattle Kraken Head Coach Dave Hakstol and University of Washington softball head coach Heather Tarr.
Harvey was named the winner after OL Reign advanced to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) playoffs in 2023. Harvey also is the NWSL's all-time leader in regular-season wins.
The SCC announced the next legends to join the Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 on Thursday night. The inductees included former Seattle Seahawks player Doug Baldwin Jr., Washington State University football coach Dennis Erickson, University of Washington associate athletic director Chip Lydum, former UW football player Steve Pelluer, and longtime athletic trainer Jim Whitesel.
American soccer star and longtime Seattle Reign player Megan Rapinoe was presented with the Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award for her efforts off the field.
KING 5 is proud to partner with the Seattle Sports Commission to broadcast the 89th annual Sports Star of the Year Awards in March.
The event was created in 1935 by sports editor Royal Brougham and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and has continued for nearly nine decades.