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[[images - scenes from the award ceremony]]

NEW YORK URBAN LEAGUE'S
Whitney M. Young Football Classic
Yankee Stadium - September 13, 1980

Scholarship Recipients

The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Award will be presented to Eubie Blake and Lenny Wilkins. Although they possess very different talents, both achievers "display the high ideals of leadership, character and sportsmanship that do honor to the memory of Whitney Young, Jr."

Eubie (born James Eubert) Blake's contribution to the world of music and the arts has gladdened and touched the hearts of millions over the years. His talent was identified when, at the age of five, he wandered into a music store and began fingering the keys of an organ. The store owner insisted on placing an instrument in the Blake home and, at the age of six, Blake began taking lessons. By age 17, he was playing professionally and what followed is history.

The pioneer of black Broadway shows, Mr. Blake wrote "Shuffle Along," for which "I'm Just Wild About Harry" was originally written. He also created the musical score for the Broadway show "Blackbirds." "Memories of You" and "Charleston Rag" rank among his biggest single hits. Blake retired in 1946, went back to school and, at age 66, graduated from New York University. The last 25 years have been among the most exciting and rewarding of Blake's life, with the renewed interest in ragtime. Theater-goers' enthusiastic response to the Broadway hit, "Eubie," uncategorically proves that Mr. Blake is indeed a living legend and an inspiration for us all.

Lenny Wilkens, coach and director of player personnel for the Seattle Supersonics, played 1,077 regular-season games, averaging 16.5 points and 6.7 assists during his playing career. Drafted as a first-round pick by St. Louis in 1960, Lenny planed for the Hawks, Seattle, Cleveland and Portland

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