Staubach Recipient Of The National Football Foundation's Highest Honor, The Gold Medal
NFF ANNOUNCES 2007 MAJOR AWARDS RECIPIENTS
DAWKINS, STAUBACH NAMED CO- RECIPIENTS OF NFF'S HIGHEST HONOR, THE GOLD MEDAL
DALLAS, May 16, 2007 - Ron Johnson, chairman of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF), announced today the recipients of the NFF's 2007 Major Awards:
GOLD MEDAL
Co-Recipients
Pete Dawkins (U.S. Military Academy) & Roger Staubach (U.S. Naval Academy)
DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN AWARD
Rocky Bleier
University of Notre Dame
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AMATEUR FOOTBALL AWARD
Collegiate Bowl Games
JOHN L. TONER AWARD
Jeremy Foley
Director of Athletics, University of Florida
CHRIS SCHENKEL AWARD
Bill Hillgrove
University of Pittsburgh
OUTSTANDING FOOTBALL OFFICIAL AWARD
Jim Kemmerling
Big Ten Conference
"This group of outstanding individuals defines what is great about college football," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "They have gone above and beyond the call of duty to promote our sport as leaders within their respective fields as well as throughout this country."
The Gold Medal, the NFF's highest honor, has been presented to seven U.S. Presidents, four U.S. Generals, three U.S. Admirals, one U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 25 Corporate CEOs and Chairmen, John Wayne and Jackie Robinson. Dawkins and Staubach will become the 51st and 52nd recipients of the award, which has been bestowed since 1958.
"The awards committee is incredibly proud to present the Gold Medal to Pete Dawkins and Roger Staubach," said NFF Awards Committee Chairman Bob ulcahy. "Not only have they reached the pinnacle of collegiate football success as Heisman Trophy winners and members of the Hall of Fame, but they have proven themselves as selfless leaders through their courageous military careers and business endeavors."
Each of these awards will be presented at the 50th Annual Awards Dinner on December 4, 2007, at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. Also that evening, the NFF will recognize the National Scholar-Athlete class (announced Oct. 25), award the Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and induct the 2007 College Football Hall of Fame Football Bowl Subdivision Class.
THE GOLD MEDAL
The highest and most prestigious award bestowed by the Foundation, the Gold Medal has been awarded annually since 1958 and recognizes an outstanding American who has demonstrated integrity and honesty, achieved significant career success and has reflected the basic values of those who have excelled in amateur sport, particularly football.
PETE DAWKINS
2007 Gold Medal Co-Recipient
United States Military Academy
After overcoming polio at age eleven, Pete Dawkins showcased a natural gift for conquering life's challenges, and few can match the unparalleled athletic, educational, military and business successes of this bona fide American icon.
A Royal Oak, Mich., native, Dawkins showed his athleticism at an early age, earning a scholarship to Cranbrook Kingswood School. He was named an all-league quarterback and captain of the baseball team.
Following his high school graduation, Dawkins chose the United States Military Academy over Yale. He is the only cadet in West Point history to serve as Brigade Commander, class president, captain of the football team and a "star man" in the top five percent of his class academically. In 1958, his achievements reached new heights, as he was named the Heisman Trophy winner and Maxwell Award recipient under legendary coach Earl "Red" Blaik.
A stellar student, Dawkins was also named a Rhodes Scholar and studied at Oxford following his graduation from the USMA in 1959. He received a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) and later earned a Ph.D. from Princeton. Dawkins then attended Infantry School and Ranger School before being posted to duty in Vietnam. He received two Bronze Stars for Valor and was later chosen to work on a task force designed to change the army into an all-volunteer organization.
After 24 years in the service, the 1975 College Football Hall of Fame inductee retired as a Brigadier General. He then joined Lehman Brothers, a Wall Street firm, and later became vice chairman of Bain and Company. He was named chairman and CEO of Primerica Financial Services, Inc. in 1991. A former Republican candidate for the Senate, Dawkins now serves as vice chairman of Citigroup Private Bank and resides in Rumson, N.J.
ROGER STAUBACH
2007 Gold Medal Co-Recipient
United States Naval Academy
A fixture in the Dallas area for more than 40 years, Roger Staubach has shined in everything he has pursued, and his drive for excellence has garnered him national attention as the consummate leader on and off the playing field.
Staubach, a native of Silverton, Ohio, was a natural athlete and earned letters in three sports while attending the United States Naval Academy. As only a sophomore, Navy coach Wayne Hardin started Staubach in the second half of the Cornell game, hoping to give his Midshipmen a spark. Staubach led Navy to six touchdown drives that game, and a few weeks later, led his team to a 34-14 upset over Army. The following season proved even more successful, as he was named the 1963 Heisman Trophy winner and Maxwell Award recipient.
Although drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1964, Staubach did not start playing until 1969 due to military commitments. He chose to volunteer for a one- year tour of duty in Vietnam, then spent the rest of his Naval career in the United States, playing football on various Naval service teams. As a 27-year-old Vietnam Vet, Staubach rejoined the Cowboys just in time for training camp. He served as a back-up his first two seasons, but garnered the starting spot in 1972. He would go on to lead Dallas to two Super Bowl victories, claiming MVP honors in the 1972 victory. He also landed five trips to the Pro Bowl.
Staubach was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame four years later. Known for his humanitarian efforts, he has received numerous awards for civic service, most recently accepting the Natural Leader Award at the Billiard Ball to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas. For over 25 years, he has been the chairman and CEO of The Staubach Company, a Dallas-based real estate strategy and service firm with 60 offices throughout North America. The company finished the 2006 fiscal year with 6,750 transactions totaling $26 billion.
