Sports all-stars who have made a positive impact on the lives of Greenwich’s youth will be honored at this year’s History in the Making Award event on October 12.
Greenwich resident Allan Houston will receive the History in the Making Award for his enormous contributions to improving the lives of children in Greenwich and throughout the country. Barbara and Ray Dalio, the 2021 History in the Making honorees, will present the award to Houston.
Jon Ledecky, co-owner of the NHL’s New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Islanders will conduct a fireside chat with Houston, and Donna de Varona will present achievement awards to outstanding Greenwich sports coaches.
Established in 2003, History in the Making recognizes outstanding individuals from the community who are the history makers of our time for having made a positive impact on the region and the world, and to provide a forum for learning about their thought-provoking ideas and perspectives.
“Sports are a great unifying force in our community,” said Debra Mecky, executive director and CEO of the Historical Society in a release. “We are fortunate to have such super stars as Allan Houston and Donna de Varona to set examples for our children and a large roster of talented coaches who are dedicated to helping them succeed in sports and life. It is a privilege to recognize them at this year’s event focused on the vibrant history of sports in Greenwich and the athletes and coaches who have impacted our past and future.”
For more information and to purchase tickets to the History in the Making Dinner please visit: History in the Making.
A two-time NBA All-Star and member of the gold-medal winning U.S. Men’s Basketball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics, Houston is currently New York Knicks V.P. of Player Leadership and Development. His impact extends beyond the courts through his Allan Houston Legacy Foundation which supports underserved youth, families and communities nationwide through its strategic partnerships, coaching clinics and family programming. Houston also founded FISLL, a social impact brand committed to helping people to live better lives based on Five Fundamentals of faith, integrity, sacrifice, leadership and legacy, for which he credits his success as an athlete and in life.
“I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of the Dalios and other larger-than-life individuals who were honored with this award,” Houston said. “My greatest satisfaction in life is from providing a foundation for young people to reach their full potential. This award is a testament to the impact my colleagues at FISLL and the Legacy Foundation are having with our country’s children.”
Allan Houston follows a long and impressive list of individuals who have been honored with the History in the Making Award. In addition to Ray and Barbara Dalio, other awardees include Indra Nooyi, Derek Boothby, Thomas Foley, Curt Welling, Marie and Charlene Von Saher and Lewis Lehrman.
Olympic gold medalist Donna de Varona will present awards to 10 Greenwich sports coaches nominated by their peers for excellence in influencing student athletes. Career Achievement Awards will be presented to the following Greenwich coaches: Nick Cavataro, Greenwich YWCA; Pat Coleman Greenwich Youth Lacrosse; Sarah Hill, Sacred Heart Greenwich; Katie Johnson, Greenwich Academy;Steve Lapham, Greenwich High School; Terry Lowe, Greenwich High School; Bill Smith, Greenwich Youth Water Polo, and Jim Stephens, Brunswick School. Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Angela Tammaro, Greenwich Academy, and posthumously to Jack Jepson, Greenwich Country Day School.
Proceeds from this year’s event will help expand and enhance the Historical Society’s exhibitions and education programs which are at the heart of the Historical Society’s mission. A longstanding partnership with Title I schools has brought high-quality arts and history education to more than 3,600 students since its inception.
Allan Houston is the N.Y. Knicks Vice President of Player Leadership and Development, and all- around powerhouse in the sports industry.A consummate athlete, he is a two-time NBA all-star with a 12-year playing tenure with the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks. He was a member of the gold-medal winning U.S. Men’s Basketball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics. His impact extends beyond the court through the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation and FISLL which he founded to support underserved youth, families and communities nationwide through its strategic partnerships, coaching clinics, fatherhood and family programming. FISLL is also a social impact brand whose purpose is to engage, equip, inspire and outfit people to live better, lead better and perform better. It is named for the Five Fundamentals of faith, integrity, sacrifice, leadership and legacy for which he credits his success as an athlete and in life.
Houston’s local community involvement in Greenwich and surrounding communities in Stamford and New York has supported youth organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and Kids in Crisis. In recognition of his outstanding contributions locally and nationally, he was awarded the President’s Council on Service and Engagement Award from the Obama Administration.
Houston earned a Bachelor of Arts in African American studies from the University of Tennessee. He and his wife Tamara and their seven children have lived in the community for over two decades