The 89th Washington Sports Star of the Year Awards, a longstanding tradition in the state's sports scene, celebrated excellence in athletics and community contributions. Originating in 1935, this event, curated by legendary sports editor Royal Brougham and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, honors the athletes, coaches, and community members behind the most memorable sports stories.

This year's ceremony shone a spotlight on the University of Washington football team and Seattle Reign FC, both recipients of numerous accolades for their outstanding performances in 2023.

Before the main event, attendees enjoyed a pre-show party featuring a trophy room showcasing Washington sports memorabilia. On the red carpet at Media Row which was hosted by Besa Gordon for the second year in a row, was a place where you could find notable figures such as Michael Penix Jr., Sue Bird, Meghan Rapinoe, Danny Glover, and Lenny Wilkins mingling with guests, and adding to the evening's excitement.

Honorees included Laura Harvey, named Sports Leader of the Year, Megan Rapinoe, recipient of the Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award, and Michael Penix Jr., recognized as Sportstar of the Year for men's sports plus, Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm was named Sports Star of the Year for women's sports. Additionally, Rise Above received the Sports Equity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Danny Glover and Lenny Wilkins.

As the ceremony concluded, it was evident that the Washington Sports Star of the Year Awards holds a special place in the hearts of the sports community across our state, celebrating both excellence and camaraderie.

Until the next installment of the Sports Star of the Year Awards, let's cherish the unforgettable moments that defined Washington sports in 2023.

See more photos from this year’s Sports Star of the Year Awards taken by Susan Fried on behalf of Converge Media below: