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Benaroya Hall was filled with glitz, glamour, and nearly 1,000 well-dressed people Jan. 27 to witness the 76th Annual Sportstar of the Year Awards for sports-related stars' accomplishments in 2010. Ten winners with a background in sports from different categories were announced. The Seattle PI's iconic sports writer Royal Brougham started the awards in 1935. There was one winner that year, Bobby Morris, a sports official.

"When the PI stopped printing the newspaper, the Seattle Sports Commission took over the awards," said its marketing manager, Rosie Selle, a Highland Park resident. "We decided it was such a great, feel-good program, we had to," she enthused. This is the Commission's, and Selles' second year with the event.

"We are a department of the Convention and Visitors Bureau," said Selles. "We try to bring events into this city, and try to get new franchises. It is our long term goal to get an NBA franchise back into the city."

Glenn Drosendahl, also a West Seattle resident, is on the event planning committee and was in charge of the awards program with the PI for 16 years where many may recall his columns and reporting.

"We used to have an awards banquet," Drosendahl, a Gatewood resident, told the West Seattle Herald. "Now it's an awards show like the Emmy's and ESPY's. I really like what the Sports Commission is doing with it. They've maintained a lot of the tradition that's gone back to 1935 and Royal Brougham. It feels a little glitzier, but it's fun. It's sort of reborn while maintaining its long, long, history."

SuperSonics star Slick Watts was a presenter at the event. He was awarded the Sports Star of the Year Award back in 1976. He was followed, in '77, by UW and NFL legend Warren Moon. SuperSonics coach Lenny Wilkens won the award the following year. Watts has many West Seattle connections. His son, Donald Watts, Jr., is the West Seattle High School boy's basketball coach and lives in West Seattle.

"I coach camps at the High Point YMCA," Slick told the West Seattle Herald prior to the awards. "Every Sunday I watch my 6 year-old grand-baby play at the High Point YMCA. West Seattle is my second home. My son and grandson live in West Seattle, so I have to follow my heart."

Also a former Sports Star of the year, the slender, over-6-foot-tall Christa Morrison , UW Volleyball Allstar, was a presenter. The West Seattle Herald caught up with her at the cocktail party preceding the awards.

"I won the same year Shaun Alexander won, in 2005," she said, with husband Evan Engle at her side. "I showed up and he didn't, so I was the only award winner there," she quipped. Awards were given to one male and one female beginning in 1994.

"I live in Southern California, Big Bear Lake, and train full time on the beach there," she added. "When I played at UW, my transition was Alki Beach. I miss Alki and loved it so much. West Seattle is great. My friends and I would go down to Alki Beach all the time to practice on weekdays, and there were tournaments on weekends. I am still in touch with most people who play down there on a regular basis."

Rebecca Lovell, who attended to support the athletes, has a brother in the news in West Seattle these days. Jesse Lovell just opened the restaurant, "Company" at 9608 16th Avenue by Roxbury. He and his fiance live in White Center, Rebecca said.

Federal Way's Olympic skating medalist, and samba dancing phenom, Apolo Anton Ohno, signed his book and posed for photos with attending fans at the event as clusters of adoring young fans outdoors pressed their faces against the glass to catch a glimpse of their idol. He graciously turned and waved to them, his proud, grinning father never more than a few feet from his side.

Turns out he won the Male Sports Star of the Year Award edging out four other remarkable superstars including his Olympic teammate, J.R. Celski, who also attracted a crowd of fans at the pre-awards cocktail party, UW football star Mason Foster, UW basketball forward Quincy Poindexter, and WSU basketball guard Klay Thompson.

"I have to thank my father," Ohno began, at his acceptance speech. "He's been such an instrumental person in my life. He's the one who really pushed me to pursue this sport. If you were to ask me at age 14 if I would ever win an Olympic medal, I couldn't even spell 'Olympics', so I'm really grateful to my father.

"I have gotten a lot of support from my junior high school in Federal Way and high school, and the city of Seattle," he continued. "I hope to support future athletes from our own cities and state, that (they should) pursue their own dreams and passions regardless of whatever outcomes they have, to realize that there are no guarantees in sports or in life, but it's up to us to give forth the right effort and to put forth our hearts in the right direction."

Root Sports was a major sponsor. DirectTV Sports Networks has announced that its three regional sports networks, including FSN Northwest, FSN Pittsburgh and FSN Rocky Mountain will become Root Sports in the spring.

Locally, K2 Sports was also a sponsor. Many employees attended.

Funnyman and Taco Time pitchman, Pat Cashman, MC'ed, and made a wisecrack that the athletes being honored are more authentic than the same-sized "16-ounce" and "20-ounce" beer served at Qwest Field.

The Sports Citizen of the Year Award went to Paul Allen, Seahawks and Trail Blazers owner, and Sounders Football Club co-owner. Beginning next year, that award will be renamed after him.

"Oh, this evening was really great," Allen told the West Seattle Herald at the conclusion. "It was fantastic, a wonderful evening."

Other winners included:

Female Sports Star of the Year- Jessica Pixler, Seattle Pacific University Cross Country/Track & Field, presented by Gov. Gregoire.

Professional Sports Star of the Year- Tim Lincecum - San Francisco Giants and UW athlete.

The Keith jackson Award- Mr. Jackson presented it to the wife and children of winner Dave Niehaus, Mariners legendary broadcaster who recently passed away.

Sports Executive of the Year- Karen Bryant, President and CEO, Seattle Storm.

Royal Brougham Legend Award- UW Football coach Don James

Seattle Children's Inspirational Youth Award- Ike Ditzenberger - Snohomish HS Football. A Snohomish High School junior with Down Syndrome, he became a national inspiration when his touchdown run topped 2.5 million hits on YouTube.

Sports Story of the Year- Felix Hernandez, Mariners star and Cy Young Award winner.