YMCA Honors Community Advocate, Dick Crippen, with the Chester James Award

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg is pleased to announce Dick Crippen as the 2023 recipient of the Chester James Award. The award presentation will take place during the 21st Annual YMCA Community Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the Historic St. Petersburg Coliseum. Every year, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg recognizes an individual from the community who exemplifies the attributes of Reverend Chester James with the Chester James Award.

Reverend James was an outstanding community activist who dedicated himself to improving the lives of our citizens and working hard to bridge the gap that once divided this community. As a human rights leader and friend to the YMCA, he will always be remembered and recognized as a shining example of morality and a strong person of character.

Like Reverend James, Crippen lives his life according to a set of moral and ethical standards exemplified through compassion, integrity and optimism. He has supported our community through active involvement in and dedication to a multitude of organizations throughout St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area. He has served on the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg Board of Directors since 1993, and has been actively involved in the Community Prayer Breakfast, sitting on the planning committee and serving as emcee.

In 2020, Crippen retired from his role as advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays and a career in sports broadcasting. Early in his career, he worked as a sports and weatherman anchor in the Tampa Bay television market. His career spanned a variety of broadcast news jobs including public address announcer for Tampa Bay Rowdies home soccer games at Tampa Stadium, play-by-play work for the NASCAR's Motor Racing Network, and a sports show called Bay Sports with

Dick Crippen on the Spectrum Sports cable channel. “Like so many community organizations, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has benefitted from the passion Dick has for the Tampa Bay area,” said David Jezek, President & CEO. “His service as a board member, his advocacy for community initiatives and his long-time, hands-on support of the Community Prayer Breakfast have left a lasting legacy for this organization.”

Since 2001, the annual YMCA Community Prayer Breakfast has offered an opportunity for all community members to gather and reflect on important issues, challenges and commonalities. This year, our Keynote Speaker, Allison Massari, a survivor of two life-threatening car accidents resulting in second and third degree burns on more than half her body. She shares her story of absolute loss, to forgiveness and understanding, and finally to success and a life beyond anything she could have imagined. Her presentation is hailed as life-changing, riveting, extraordinary, bold and deeply moving. In line with the tradition, the YMCA is honored to have current City of St. Petersburg Mayor, Ken Welch, join us to provide the opening remarks.

To register for the event or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit stpeteymca.org/prayerbreakfast.