Two honorary doctorates are typically awarded each year — one national and one international. Recipients are presented with a hood, citation, plaque and transcript signifying their honorary degree.

Previous Recipients

2021

Prof. Richard McLaren, sport law attorney, clean sport advocate, WADA Investigator and author of the 2016 McLaren Report into Russian state-sponsored doping

2020

Vlad Marinescu, President of both the International Esports Federation (IESF) and the United States Esports Federation

2019

Not Awarded

2018

Ms. Joan Cronan, former University of Tennessee Women’s Athletic Director
and NACDA past-president

2017

His Excellency Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba, President of the Republic of Gabon
Sunil Gulati, President of the U.S. Soccer Federation

2016

Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, Founding President of the United States Sports Academy
Mr. Charles Wielgus, Executive Director of USA Swimming
Sr. Héctor F. Cardona, President of Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization

2015

Professor Franco Ascani, International President of Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs (FICTS)
David Wallechinsky, President of International Society of Olympic Historians

2014

HRH Feisal bin Al Hussein – President of the Jordanian Olympic Committee and Advocate for Peace

2013

Bud Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball

Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, President of the International Boxing Association and Executive Board Member for the IOC

Dr. Norbert Muller, President of the Int. Pierre de Coubertin Committee and Professor Emeritus at Mainz University

2012

Billie Jean King, World Team Tennis Founding President and Pioneer in Women’s Sport

Y.A.B. Tan Sri Dato’ HJ Muhyiddin HJ Mohd Yassin, Malaysia Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister

2011

Prince Albert II of Monaco

Dr. Harvey W. Schiller

Olympic Leader and Sports Entrepreneur Personified

2010

Jack Lengyel – Director of Athletics Emeritus at the United States Naval Academy

Jie “Jack” Guo – President of WorldTeam Sports Group in China

2008

H.R.H. Tunku Imran, Malaysia

Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee Women’s Basketball Coach

2007

Rolf Deyhle, German Sports Businessman

H.R.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Crown Prince of Qatar

2006

His Excellency President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao of East Timor

Kevin White, Notre Dame Director of Athletics

2005

Joe Clark, High School Principal Featured in 1989 Motion Picture Lean on Me

TA Ganda Sithole, Director, International Cooperation and Development, International Olympic Committee

His Excellency Abbot Shi Yongxin, Leader of the Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Kung Fu

2004

Dr. Jacques Rogge, President, International Olympic Committee

Dr. Nicos Peristianis, Executive Director, Intercollege, Nicosia, Cyprus

2003

Mike Cleary, Executive Director, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)

Vince Dooley, Athletic Director, University of Georgia

Santiparb Tejavanija, Governor, Sport Authority of Thailand

2002

Dr. Robert Khayat, Chancellor, University of Mississippi

His Royal Highness Salman bi Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince of the State of Bahrain

2001

Dr. Zhenliang He, Chairman, International Olympic Committee’s Education Council

Hon. H.L. “Sonny” Callahan, U.S. Congressman, Mobile

President George W. Bush

Sandra Baldwin, U.S. Olympic Committee President

2000

Ted Turner, Media Mogul

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President, Kuwait Olympic Committee

1999

His Excellency Kofi Annan, Secretary General, United Nations

Charles Billich, Artist, Australia

Donna de Varona, President, Women’s U.S. Soccer World Cup Organization Committee

Dr. Deborah Yow, Athletics Director, University of Maryland

James Hasser, Chairman, Board of Trustees Emeritus, United States Sports Academy

1998

Jack Lenygel, Director of Athletics, U.S. Naval Academy

Gen. Wismoyo Arismunandar, President, National Olympic Committee of Indonesia

1997

Dr. George E. Killian, Executive Director, National Junior College Athletic Association

His Royal Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince of the State of Bahrain

1996

William J. Hybl, Esq., President, U.S. Olympic Committee

R. Pak Maladi, Minister of Sport, Republic of Indonesia

1995

Commendador Arnalda de Oliviera Sales

Gerald C. Hock

1994

Don Conrado Durántez, President, Spanish Olympic Committee

Dr. George E. Uhlig, Dean of the College of Education, University of South Alabama

1993

Donna Lopiano, Executive Director, Women’s Sport Foundation

1992

Judith M. Sweet, First Woman President of the NCAA

Dick Schultz, Executive Director, NCAA; Director of Athletics, University of Virginia

1991

Cristobal Gabarrón, Artist, Spain

Milo R. “Mike” Lude, Director of Athletics, Auburn University and University of Washington

1990

Mario Fernandez, Wildlife Artist

General Norman Schwarzkopf, Commander of the U.S. Forces in Desert Storm

His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Commander, Joint Forces, Operation Desert Storm

Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Ministor of Sport, Malaysia

1989

Professor Russell M. Coley

Anita L. DeFrantz, Member, International and U.S. Olympic Committees

1988

Richard W. Pound, International Olympic Committee Member and Anti-Drug Crusader

Howard Cosell, Television and Radio Broadcaster

1987

Dr. Denton A. Cooley, American Heart Surgeon

Mario Vazquez Rana, Member of Mexico and International Olympic Committees

1986

Henry “Bud” Greenspan, Olympic Filmmaker

Ben Weider, Co-founder International Federation of BodyBuilders

1985

Gen. Paul X. Kelley, Commandant, United States Marine Corps

Shaikh Esa bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Bahrain Minister of Sport

1984

Cassie Conrad, Executive Director, President’s Council on Physical Fitness

Sang-Chen Lee, President, Korean Judo College

1982

Dr. Robert Block, Board of Trustees, United States Sports Academy