A longstanding partner of Little League ® International, WVIA, the PBS and NPR affiliate for Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, has been named as the recipient of the 2026 W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award. WVIA and the team that makes every broadcast possible officially received the award during an on-field ceremony before the International Championship of the 2026 Little League Baseball ® World Series, Presented by T-Mobile, on Saturday, August 29. “WVIA has been a tremendous friend to the Little League program for many years, but perhaps nowhere has its impact been more meaningful than through its commitment to our Challenger Division athletes and families,” said Patrick Wilson, Little League President and CEO. “The Challenger Division Exhibition game is a fan favorite event each summer, and WVIA has helped us take that joy and inclusion felt in Williamsport and share it with audiences across the country. We are honored to be recognizing the hardworking team at WVIA with this well-deserved award.” WVIA has served as the primary broadcast of the Little League Challenger Division ® Exhibition Game since 2011, shining a spotlight on athletes from across the country as they make their Williamsport debut at Volunteer Stadium. For more than a decade, the broadcast has been shared with more than 28 PBS member stations nationwide, bringing greater visibility to the athletes while also showcasing the volunteers, Buddies, families, and communities that make the program possible. “This recognition is deeply meaningful because it celebrates something much larger than a television broadcast,” said Carla McCabe, WVIA President & CEO. “Every year, we have the privilege of sharing stories that remind us what sports and public media are truly about: inclusion, community, perseverance, and belonging. We are incredibly honored that Little League has entrusted WVIA with helping bring these remarkable athletes and their families into homes across America.” In 2014, WVIA also produced an hour-long film to celebrate the 75 th Anniversary of Little League, telling the stories of the players, leaders, and communities that have pushed the organization forward. For WVIA, the Friendship Award carries special significance during its 60 th anniversary year, recognizing six decades of public service and the organization’s continuing commitment to education, storytelling, accessibility, and strengthening communities throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, and far beyond. This year’s broadcast of the Challenger Division Exhibition Game also celebrates the 25 th Anniversary of the first game, played in 2001. Established in 1988, the W. Howard Hartman Little League Friendship Award honors the legacy of W. Howard Hartman, a devoted supporter and generous friend of Little League. Each year, the award is presented to an individual or organization that exemplifies the same spirit of dedication and friendship towards the Little League program. Previous Recipients: 1988 – Ray Keyes 1989 – Robert Yasui 1990 – Putsee Vannucci 1991 – Howard Baldwin 1992 – Jack Lundy 1993 – Bill Byham 1994 – Gary Mayer 1995 – John Troisi 1996 – Mary Lib Stockwell 1997 – Sharon Verbos 1998 – Ed Claudius 1999 – Terry Gramling 2000 – Tom Dempsey 2001 – Williamsport-Lycoming Foundation 2002 –Alan Wells 2003 – Peter Luppachino 2004 – Thomas ‘Tuck’ Frazier 2005 – Hon. William Miller 2006 – Susquehanna Health System 2007 – Lycoming County Law Enforcement Association 2008 – Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce 2009 – Fred Plankenhorn & Paul Weaver 2010 – WRAK Radio (Williamsport, Pa.) 2011 – Dave and Don Fowler 2012 – Lenel Systems International, Inc. 2013 – Steve Moff 2014 – Federal Correctional Complex Allenwood & U.S. Penitentiary Lewisburg 2015 – Pennsylvania State Police, Troop F 2016 – American Honda Motor Co. 2017 –Jim Darby, Easton Sports & Easton Foundation 2018 –Don Goodman, Calif. District 35 Administrator 2019 – Paul Graziano 2020 – No Award Due to Coronavirus Pandemic 2021 – Ken Sawyer 2022 –Musco Sports Lighting 2023 – Piszek Family 2024 – Dr. Darrell Burnett 2025 – Senator Gene Yaw
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.littleleague.org