James E. Sullivan Award
AAU James E. Sullivan Award | |
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Description | The AAU James E. Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930 to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the U.S. and aims to recognize athletes who demonstrate qualities of leadership, citizenship, character and sportsmanship on and off the field. |
Country | United States |
Presented by | Amateur Athletic Union |
First awarded | 1930 |
Currently held by | Keenan Reynolds and Breanna Stewart |
Website | aausullivan |
The AAU James E. Sullivan Award, presented by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), is awarded annually in April to "the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States".[1] Representatives from the AAU created the AAU Sullivan Award with the intent to recognize amateur contributions and achievements from non-professional athletes across the country.
The award was established in 1930 in honor of the organization's founder and past president, James Edward Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award "goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character".[1] Finalists are selected from public nominations following a review by the AAU Sullivan Award Executive Committee.[2] Approximately 10 semi-finalists are chosen,[2] and the eventual winner is determined by votes from various members of the nationwide news media, former winners and AAU personnel.[3][4] More recently, a portion of the winner's vote has been determined by the general public.[5][6] Recipients are eligible for subsequent awards, although this has yet to happen.[2]
The inaugural winner of the award was golfer Bobby Jones, winner of 13 majors between 1923 and 1930.[7][8] The first female recipient, in 1944, was swimmer Ann Curtis, who won more national AAU championships than any other woman.[9] The most recent award went to multiple recipients for the second time in the award's 86-year history – Keenan Reynolds from the U.S. Naval Academy and Breanna Stewart from the University of Connecticut.[10] Other notable athletes to win the award include famed Olympians Bruce Baumgartner (1995), Carl Lewis (1981), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1986), Mark Spitz (1971), and Michael Phelps (2003). Former UCLA basketball star Bill Walton (1973) and University of Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning (1997) have also earned the prestigious honor.
Over the last 86 years, the award has been presented to 34 track and field athletes, 10 swimmers, eight football players, six basketball players, four figure skaters, three gymnasts, three speedskaters, three divers, three wrestlers, two oarsmen, two golfers, one paralympian, one ultra-marathoner, one baseball player and one tennis player.
Former Winners
Year | Winner | Sport(s) | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
1930 | Bobby Jones | Golf | [11] |
1931 | Bernard Berlinger | Decathlon | [12] |
1932 | James Bausch | Decathlon | [13] |
1933 | Glenn Cunningham | Running (middle distance) | [14] |
1934 | William Bonthron | Running (middle distance) | [15] |
1935 | W. Lawson Little, Jr. | Golf | [16] |
1936 | Glenn Morris | Decathlon | [17] |
1937 | Don Budge | Tennis | [18] |
1938 | Don Lash | Running (long distance) | [19] |
1939 | Joe Burk | Rowing | [20] |
1940 | J. Gregory Rice | Track and field | [21] |
1941 | T. Leslie MacMitchell | Track and field | [22] |
1942 | Cornelius Warmerdam | Pole vault | [23] |
1943 | Gilbert R. Dodds | Running (middle distance) | [24] |
1944 | Ann Curtis | Swimming | [25] |
1945 | Doc Blanchard | Football | [26] |
1946 | Arnold Tucker | Football | [26] |
1947 | John B. Kelly, Jr. | Rowing | [27] |
1948 | Bob Mathias | Decathlon | [28] |
1949 | Dick Button | Figure skating | [29][30] |
1950 | Fred Wilt | Running (long distance) | [31] |
1951 | Bob Richards | Pole vault, decathlon | [32] |
1952 | Horace Ashenfelter | Running (long distance) | [33] |
1953 | Sammy Lee | Diving | [34] |
1954 | Mal Whitfield | Running (middle distance) | [35] |
1955 | Harrison Dillard | Running (sprint) | [36] |
1956 | Pat McCormick | Diving | [4] |
1957 | Bobby Morrow | Running (sprint) | [37] |
1958 | Glenn "Jeep" Davis | Running (sprint) | [38] |
1959 | Parry O'Brien | Shot put, discus | [39] |
1960 | Rafer Johnson | Decathlon | [40] |
1961 | Wilma Rudolph | Running (sprint) | [41] |
1962 | Jim Beatty | Track and field | [42] |
1963 | John Pennel | Pole vault | [43] |
1964 | Don Schollander | Swimming | [44] |
1965 | Bill Bradley | Basketball | [6] |
1966 | Jim Ryun | Running (middle distance) | [45] |
1967 | Randy Matson | Shot put, discus | [46] |
1968 | Debbie Meyer | Swimming | [47] |
1969 | Bill Toomey | Decathlon | [48] |
1970 | John Kinsella | Swimming | [49] |
1971 | Mark Spitz | Swimming | [11] |
1972 | Frank Shorter | Running (long distance) | [50] |
1973 | Bill Walton | Basketball | [6] |
1974 | Rick Wohlhuter | Running (middle distance) | [51] |
1975 | Tim Shaw | Swimming | [52] |
1976 | Bruce Jenner [a] | Decathlon | [54] |
1977 | John Naber | Swimming | [3] |
1978 | Tracy Caulkins | Swimming | [55] |
1979 | Kurt Thomas | Gymnastics | [56] |
1980 | Eric Heiden | Speed skating | [57] |
1981 | Carl Lewis | Running (sprint), long jump | [58] |
1982 | Mary Decker | Running (middle and long distance) | [59] |
1983 | Edwin Moses | Running (sprint) | [60] |
1984 | Greg Louganis | Diving | [61] |
1985 | Joan Benoit | Running (long distance) | [62] |
1986 | Jackie Joyner-Kersee | Running (sprint) | [63] |
1987 | Jim Abbott | Baseball | [64] |
1988 | Florence Griffith-Joyner | Running (sprint) | [63] |
1989 | Janet Evans | Swimming | [21] |
1990 | John Smith | Wrestling | [21] |
1991 | Mike Powell | Long jump | [65] |
1992 | Bonnie Blair | Speed skating | [66] |
1993 | Charlie Ward | Basketball, football | [26] |
1994 | Dan Jansen | Speed skating | [67] |
1995 | Bruce Baumgartner | Wrestling | [68] |
1996 | Michael Johnson | Running (sprint) | [69] |
1997 | Peyton Manning | Football | [26] |
1998 | Chamique Holdsclaw | Basketball | [66] |
1999 | Coco Miller and Kelly Miller | Basketball | [70] |
2000 | Rulon Gardner | Wrestling | [71] |
2001 | Michelle Kwan | Figure skating | [29] |
2002 | Sarah Hughes | Figure skating | [11] |
2003 | Michael Phelps | Swimming | [11] |
2004 | Paul Hamm | Gymnastics | [56] |
2005 | J. J. Redick | Basketball | [6] |
2006 | Jessica Long | Swimming | [72] |
2007 | Tim Tebow | Football | [73] |
2008 | Shawn Johnson | Gymnastics | [56] |
2009 | Amy Palmiero-Winters | Running (ultra marathon) | [74] |
2010 | Evan Lysacek | Figure Skating | [75] |
2011 | Andrew Rodriguez | Football | [76] |
2012 | Missy Franklin | Swimming | [77] |
2013 | John Urschel | Football | [78] |
2014 | Ezekiel Elliott | Football | [79] |
2015 | Keenan Reynolds and Breanna Stewart | Football and basketball (respectively) | [80] |
Notes
- ^ Jenner changed her name due to gender transition in 2015.[53]
References
- ^ a b "The Sullivan Award – Overview". Amateur Athletic Union. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Guidelines for nomination of an amateur athlete". Amateur Athletic Union. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
- ^ a b "John Naber wins Sullivan Award". Tri-City Herald. 07-02-1978. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ a b "Pat McCormick Named Sullivan Award Winner". St. Petersburg Times. January 15, 1957. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Scott, Roxanna (April 8, 2009). "Beijing Olympians highlight Sullivan ballot". USA Today. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Redick beats out Young, Bush for Sullivan Award". ESPN. April 13, 2006. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Robert T. Jones". Amateur Athletic Union. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "The History of the AAC". BBC Sport. August 10, 2001. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Ann Curtis". Amateur Athletic Union. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Navy's Reynolds, UConn's Stewart win Sullivan". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
- ^ a b c d Freeman, Rick (April 13, 2004). "Phelps joins prestigious Sullivan list". USA Today. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Bernard Ernst Berlinger". University of Pennsylvania Archives. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "James Bausch". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Glenn Cunningham". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Edward Seldon Sears. Running Through The Ages. McFarland & Company. p. 205. ISBN 0-7864-0971-1.
- ^ "USGA Acquires Sullivan Award From Family Of Champ Lawson Little Jr". United States Golf Association. May 1, 2008. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Glenn Morris". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Schwartz, Larry. "In big matches, he wouldn't budge". ESPN. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Don Lash". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Former Penn Rower Joe Burk Passes Away". University of Pennsylvania Athletics. January 14, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Wrestler locks up Sullivan". St. Petersburg Times. March 12, 1991. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Leslie MacMitchell, 85; First Undergrad to Win Sullivan Award". Los Angeles Times. March 31, 2006. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Cornelius (Dutch) Warmerdam". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ McGowen, Roscoe (December 30, 1943). "Dodds Takes Sullivan Trophy in Poll of Sports Leaders by A.A.U." The New York Times. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "The International Swimming Hall of Fame's Timeline of Women's Swimming History" (pdf). Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Tennessee's Manning Wins Sullivan as Top Amateur". Los Angeles Times. February 12, 1998. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "USOC seeks nominations for Jack Kelly Fair Play Award". Beijing Olympics 2008. May 25, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Bob Mathias". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "On the Button". BBC Sport. January 11, 2002. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Fred Wilt". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "The 50 Greatest Illinois Sports Figures". Sports Illustrated. December 27, 1999. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Horace Ashenfelter". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Dr. Sammy Lee (USA) – 1968 Honor Diver". International Swimming Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Mal (Marvelous Mal) Whitfield". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Harrison Dillard". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Bobby Morrow". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Glenn Davis". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "William (Parry) O'Brien". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Rafer Johnson". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Wilma Rudolph". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Jim Beatty". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Thomas Jr., Robert McG. (September 29, 1993). "John Pennel, First Pole-Vaulter To Clear 17 Feet, Is Dead at 53". The New York Times. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Mason, Emily (November 2005). "Still Kicking". Swimming World Magazine. Retrieved February 25, 2010. [dead link ]
- ^ "Jim Ryun". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Randy Matson". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Kirshenbaum, Jerry (August 31, 1970). "Now Look Who's An Old Lady". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Reed, William F. (September 12, 1971). "The Ineligible Married Man". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Field, Mike (September 10, 1979). "Channeling His Energy". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Frank Shorter". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Putnam, Pat (February 16, 1976). "Wohlhuter's Better Half". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Cazeneuve, Brian (December 8, 2003). "Tim Shaw, Olympic Swimmer". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Buzz Bissinger (June 1, 2015). "Introducing Caitlyn Jenner". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ^ "Jenner named to USATF Foundation Board of Directors". USA Track & Field. June 12, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Tracy Caulkins Super Scholarship". University of Florida Foundation. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c Hanashiro, Robert (April 16, 2009). "Gymnast, TV dancer Shawn Johnson wins Sullivan Award". USA Today. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Eric Heiden wins Sullivan Award". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. February 3, 1981. Retrieved February 25, 2010. [dead link ]
- ^ "Sullivan award to Carl Lewis". The New York Times. February 16, 1982. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Mary Slaney (Decker)". USA Track & Field. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Kirkpatrick, Curry (July 30, 1984). "The Man Who Never Loses". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Flatter, Ron. "Louganis never lost drive to dive". ESPN. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Benoit-Samuelson Is Named Winner of Sullivan Award". Los Angeles Times. February 25, 1986. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ a b "Sports people: Track and field; Griffith Joyner Gets Sullivan Award". The New York Times. March 7, 1989. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Pulliam, Kent (March 8, 1988). "Jim Abbott shocked after winning Sullivan". The Miami News. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Munoz, Theresa (March 3, 1992). "Powell Wins the Sullivan Award". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b "Plus: Amateur sports – Sullivan Award; Holdsclaw Gains Top Honor". The New York Times. February 19, 1999. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Speedskater Dan Jansen Wins Sullivan Award". Los Angeles Times. February 28, 1995. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Baumgartner wins Sullivan Award". The New York Times. March 5, 1996. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Johnson is top amateur". The New York Times. March 15, 1997. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Brill, Lauren. "Sisters First, Opponents Second for Miller Twins". Women's National Basketball Association. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Gardner Wins Sullivan Award". Los Angeles Times. April 17, 2001. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ Doogan, Brian (May 6, 2007). "America's finest". The Times. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Heisman winner Tebow named winner of 78th Sullivan Award". ESPN. April 2, 2008. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Amy Palmiero-Winters wins Sullivan Award". USA Today. April 15, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ "Evan Lysacek wins Sullivan Award for top amateur athlete". USA Today. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "Andrew Rodriguez Wins Sullivan Award". US Military Academy. March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ "Missy Franklin". Amateur Athletic Union. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- ^ "John Urschel". aausports.org. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
- ^ Lesmerises, Doug (April 19, 2015). "Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott wins Sullivan Award as top amateur athlete". cleveland.com. Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ "NAVYSPORTS.COM - The Official Web Site of Naval Academy Varsity Athletics - Keenan Reynolds Named Co-Winner of 2016 Sullivan Award". www.navysports.com. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
External links