Chuck Cooper Foundation

The Chuck Cooper Foundation was proud to present the President’s Award to the McConnell family at our Centennial Gala as we celebrated 100 years of Chuck Cooper’s life and legacy.

The McConnells are one of Western Pennsylvania’s great basketball families. Across generations, they have represented excellence as players, coaches, and leaders, leaving a lasting mark on the game and on the communities they have served.

From Suzie McConnell-Serio’s Olympic accomplishments, to T.J. McConnell’s outstanding NBA career, to Meg McConnell continuing the family’s basketball tradition at the professional level, their family legacy speaks for itself. Tim McConnell’s own place in coaching history only adds to that remarkable story. (Olympics)

We are especially grateful to Tim McConnell for helping bring the family together for this special recognition. The moment was made even more meaningful by the presence of family patriarch Tom McConnell and by Tim’s heartfelt remarks about his late mother, which brought a deeply personal touch to an already special evening. Tom McConnell and the late Suzanne McConnell’s family is reflected in Suzanne McConnell’s obituary. (Olympics)

It was a privilege to recognize such a remarkable family with the Chuck Cooper Foundation President’s Award.

The Chuck Cooper Foundation was proud to present the Trailblazer Award to The Honorable Ed Gainey at our Centennial Gala as we celebrated 100 years of Chuck Cooper’s life and legacy.

As Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor, Mayor Gainey represents the kind of barrier-breaking leadership this award was created to honor.

In his acceptance remarks, he delivered a powerful message on the importance of unity and bringing people together, which added even greater meaning to the evening.

We also thank Councilman Khari Mosley, a rising leader in local government and a dedicated public servant, for presenting the award and helping make the moment even more special.

We were honored to recognize Mayor Gainey with this special award.