Acrisure Stadium was the venue for another Rooney success story, the 50th anniversary Art Rooney Awards Dinner to benefit the Catholic Youth Association.
It was Art Rooney, the Pittsburgh Steelers owner known as “The Chief,” who founded the dinner to benefit CYA, a nonprofit that supports vulnerable children as well as seniors.
“CYA is an intergenerational community center that serves the frailest members of our society, small children and frail elderly,” said its CEO, Mary Ann Heneroty. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to have the support of the Rooney family for 50 years.”
The Tuesday night gathering kicked off with cocktails and a chance to catch up. This special evening was chaired by Andrea Carelli (who was unable to attend) and Dave Malone (with Amy Brourman). Honorees included Helen Hanna Casey of Hanna Real Estate Services, KDKA Radio’s Larry Richert, Karen Wolk Feinstein of the Jewish Health Care Foundation, volunteer Ermes Lisotto, Art Rooney II and Darmar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills.
Hamlin, a former University of Pittsburgh defensive back from McKees Rocks, was unable to attend, however, his parents, Nina and Mario Hamlin, accepted for him. He was honored with the Bob Prince Award for his perseverance and courage after suffering a cardiac arrest last year in an NFL game against the Bengals.
Art Rooney II was presented with the award named for his grandfather. He noted that his award was really about everyone who supports CYA.
“I was there at the beginning and I remember my grandfather and the group of people that came together to start the dinner,” he recalled. “It’s great it’s still going and Mary Ann keeps it alive.”
He was there with his wife, Greta, daughters Mary Greta Rooney and Meghan Rooney Foley and his son, Dan, with his wife, Jill.
“The Rooneys bring attention to our mission and needed funding to allow our services to continue and expand,” noted Heneroty.
Toasting those honored as well as the CYA were David Morehouse, Jim Leyland, Bishop David Zubik, Dr. Jean Tersak, Kendra Whitlock Ingram, St. Vincent College president Rev. Paul Taylor, Susan Koeppen, John McGrady, Elizabeth and Denis McCarthy, Christina Cassotis, Frank B. Fuhrer, Stephen Zappala, Diana Bucco, Jim Denova, Rich Fitzgerald and Bill Isler.
First Published: September 18, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
