United States Sports Academy - "America's Sports University"

Each year, the United States Sports Academy honors leaders in sport through its Awards of Sport program. Recipients come from all arenas and positions in sport, but share the common characteristic that they are leaders in their area and have made outstanding contributions to national or international sport through education, research, or service.

There are twelve awards in the Medallion Series, each honoring a different aspect of sport.

They are:

The Eagle Award is the Academy's highest award. The eagle was chosen as the focal point of the logo and seal because it is emblematic of the institution's quest for excellence in its unique academic endeavor. The soaring eagle exemplifies man's striving for new heights, so symbolic of the aim of education and athletic competition. Past winners include Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa, and H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco.

The Ronald Reagan Media Award. Named for the 40th president, Reagan, the "Great Communicator," who began his career broadcasting sporting events. Past winners include Howard Cosell of ABC Sports and Dick Ebersol of NBC Sports.

The Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias Courage Award. One of the greatest track and field Olympians, as well as a professional golfer who overcame cancer to return to the winner's circle. Past winners include jockey Judy Krone and Jim Abbott, baseball player for the California Angels.

The Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award. Stagg, "The Grand Old Man" of the gridiron, was the most winning coach in college football and also had great records as a track and basketball coach. Past winners include Eddie Robinson, Head Football Coach for Grambling University, and John Wooden, the great UCLA Basketball Coach.

The IOC President's Disabled Athlete Award. His Excellency, Juan Antonio Samaranch, the President of the IOC, authorized this award in honor of the development of the Paralympics. Past winners include Linda Mastandrea, Wheelchair Athlete, and Tony Volpentest, Track and Field Paralympian.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Fitness Award. Named for the 34th U.S. President, Supreme Allied Commander in WWII and founder of the President's Council for Youth and Sport which served as a catalyst to the nation's fitness movement. Past winners include President George Bush and Arnold Schwartzeneggar.

The Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award. Robinson broke the baseball color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers by displaying his skills, while at the same time subjugating his pride, to prove an awareness of our failings as well as his abilities. He was also a great athlete at UCLA as football and track star. Past winners include Joe Morgan of the Cincinnati Reds and the Houston Rockets' Hakeem Olajuwon.

The Theodore Roosevelt Meritorious Achievement Award. Hero of the Spanish-American War by virtue of his Rough Riders, he was named the 26th president of the United States. Roosevelt had a successful career on the playing field and in the boxing ring. He developed the National Parks System, and was responsible for the establishment of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Past winners include Senator Bob Dole and Senator Bill Bradley.

The Carl Maddox Sport Management Award. Named for the long-time athletic director at both LSU and Mississippi State. Maddox is also a former Chairman of the USSA Board of Trustees. Past winners include PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem and David Stern, Commissioner of the NBA.

The Jim Thorpe All-Around Award. Thorpe, a Native American, was voted the greatest athlete of the first 50 years of this century. He was outstanding as a football and baseball player, and as an Olympian at the 1912 Stockholm Games, won both the pentathlon and decathlon. Past winners include Bo Jackson, baseball and football star, and Danny Ainge, baseball and basketball star and coach.

The Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award. Jokl, an outstanding German Olympian, is commonly known as the "Father of Sports Medicine." Jokl came to the U.S. in 1952 and served as the Director of the University of Kentucky Rehabilitation Center. Jokl was a prolific author and researcher in sports medicine as well as psychology and sociology. Previous winners include Jacques Rogge, M.D., IOC Chairman of Sports Medicine, and Sir Roger Banister.

In addition, the USSA awards several Distinguished Service Awards each year. Given annually since 1979, DSAs honor those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national or international sport through education, research or service. Former recipients include Bud Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball and Phillip Knight, CEO of Nike.

The finalle of the Awards of Sport are the Athlete of the Year Awards, run in conjunction with USA Today, CNN/SI, WPMI-NBC 15 and Alabama Live, who placed the ballot on their web sites. With over 10,000 people voting each year, Michael Jordan and Martina Hingis have dominated the awards in the recent past, though Mark McGwire and Tara Lipinski won last year.

We are currently accepting applications for our 1999 Awards of Sport. To nominate, please send the nominees name and a brief reason they should be considered for an award to academy@ussa-sport.ussa.edu or mail it to:
United States Sports Academy
One Academy Drive
Daphne, Alabama 36526.