Former Penn Charter and current MLS star Bobby Convey returns home to receive award

San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Bobby Convey says it's always exciting to go back home. Convey, whose family still resides in Northeast Philadelphia, will return well before the Major League Soccer season opens after earning the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association's Native Son award.

Convey will be among the athletic dignitaries honored at the PSWA's 107th annual awards dinner on Monday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill.

"It's really great, and I'm excited to get back home and see my family, and they will be able to come to the dinner with me," Convey said in a telephone interview. "It's a great honor for myself to get an award from the Philadelphia sportswriters and get recognized, and it shows other kids in this area there are opportunities in soccer."

The 27-year-old Convey, who is entering his eighth MLS season, was named the league's comeback player of the year following the 2010 season. He had one goal and a team-high 10 assists in the regular season, and he had five game-winning assists, which tied for the lead in MLS. His 10 assists placed him fifth overall.

Convey added two goals and one assist in three playoff games as San Jose advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before losing, 1-0, to eventual league champion Colorado.

He was also named to the MLS all-star team for a third time.

"Last year was a great year for the team and myself, and I was happy to get comeback player of the year and be an all-star," Convey said. "We really played well as a team."

Convey, who attended Penn Charter, first joined D.C. United of MLS in 2000 at the age of 16. At the time, he was the youngest player ever signed by the league.

He played five seasons for D.C. United then four in England with Reading F.C. before returning to MLS and San Jose in 2009.

Convey earned comeback player of the year honors after battling back from the effects of microfracture surgery on his right knee in 2007 and hamstring injuries that hampered him in 2009.

One of the highlights of this last season was returning to the area and helping the Earthquakes beat the Union, 2-1, in a July 10 meeting at PPL Park in Chester. Convey had the assist on Arturo Alvarez's game-winner in the 91st minute.

"It was great coming back to play the Union, and I got between 75 to 85 tickets, and it still wasn't enough," he said, laughing.

Another large contingent will be reuniting with Convey at the banquet. In addition to Convey, Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay of the Phillies will be honored as the PSWA's pro athlete of the year, and teammate Shane Victorino will be named the humanitarian of the year.

Former Eagles linebacker Bill Bergey will receive the Living Legend award, and the Flyers will be honored as the team of the year after their run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Tickets for the dinner at $95 apiece are available  online at www.PSWA.org, or by sending a check payable to PSWA, c/o Robbie Kenney, ticket chairman, 110 Harrogate Drive., Lumberton, N.J. 08048.

Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.