Since 1960, the Doctor George Morton Illman Award has been awarded annually by the Malta Boat Club for contributions to the sport of rowing. Dr. George Morton Illman Award, is meant to honor those that have worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Those who have made a significant impact on the rowing community, a club, school, or event here in the Philadelphia area.
| 2022 | Lois Trench-Hines | Hines Rowing Center / Whitemarsh Boat Club |
| 2019 | James Barker | Undine Barge Club/Haverford School |
| 2018 | David Krmpotich Jim Krmpotich | Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association |
| 2017 | Mike Ragan | Pennsylvania Barge Club |
| 2016 | Leslie Pfeil | Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association |
| 2015 | Chuck Crawford | University of Delaware |
| 2014 | John Hogan | Crescent Boat Club |
| 2013 | Mitch Budman | University Barge Club |
| 2012 | James Hill | Undine Barge Club |
| 2011 | Dennis P. Smith | Scholastic Rowing Assn of America / US Rowing |
| 2010 | David T. Naab | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 2009 | Michael L. Brown | Malta Boat Club |
| 2008 | Christopher I. Blackwall | University Barge Club |
| 2007 | Bob & Peggy Morro | Malta Boat Club |
| 2006 | Gene Barnes | University Barge Club |
| 2005 | Robert Suter | Vesper Boat Club |
| 2004 | Jack Scholl Joan Scholl | Vesper Boat Club/Fairmount Rowing Association Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club/San Diego Rowing Club |
| 2003 | Paul Schugsta | Malta Boat Club |
| 2002 | Fred Duling | Malta Boat Club |
| 2001 | Harry Todd | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 2000 | Edward C. Lucas | Undine Barge Club |
| 1999 | Clete Graham | Crescent Boat Club |
| 1998 | Kate Godwin | Vesper Boat Club/Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club |
| 1997 | Matt Ledwith | Philadelphia Rowing Society |
| 1996 | Kenneth Shaw, Jr. | Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association |
| 1995 | Vincent S. Dougherty | Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association |
| 1994 | David E. McCormick | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 1993 | Mark F. Valenti | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 1992 | Joseph F. McFadden | Undine Barge Club |
| 1991 | Rosemarie Flynn Margaret Flynn Livacz | Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club |
| 1990 | Joseph A. Hasiak | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 1989 | William J. Knecht | Vesper Boat Club/Malta Boat Club |
| 1988 | John J. Dever | Malta Boat Club |
| 1987 | John E. Seitz | Dad Vail Rowing/Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 1986 | Joseph Sweeney | Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association |
| 1985 | Joseph J. Sonzogni | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 1984 | Edward CP “Ned” Thomas | University Barge Club |
| 1983 | George A. Mattson | Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association |
| 1982 | Evelyn K. Bergman | Philadelphia Girls’ Rowing Club |
| 1981 | Charles P. Colgan | Vesper Boat Club |
| 1980 | Elizabeth C. Bergen Michael A. Bergen | Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club Undine Barge Club |
| 1979 | Albert Wachlin | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 1978 | William M. Hollenback | University Barge Club |
| 1977 | William Robinhold | Undine Barge Club |
| 1976 | Dr. John A. Bergen | Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association |
| 1976 | Wayne F. Neal | University of Pennsylvania |
| 1974 | Thomas B. Dowd | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 1973 | Dr. Thomas Kerr, Jr. | Bachelors Barge Club |
| 1972 | Donald P. Schnorr | Vesper Boat Club |
| 1971 | William F. Donavan | Malta Boat Club |
| 1970 | Franklin H. Bates | The Philadelphia Inquirer |
| 1969 | Joseph Dougherty | LaSalle College/Penn Athletic Club PA |
| 1968 | Ted Nash | University of Pennsylvania |
| 1967 | James Beckett | Malta Boat Club |
| 1966 | Phillip H. Daley | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 1965 | William J. Cochrane, Sr. | Malta Boat Club |
| 1964 | John R. Galloway | Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association |
| 1963 | George C. Hines | Malta Boat Club |
| 1962 | Francis H. Ludwig | Undine Boat Club |
| 1961 | John C. Carlin | Fairmount Rowing Association |
| 1960 | Dr. Robert C. White | Malta Boat Club |