Honorary Doctorates

Awards of Sport

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

2009

H.R.H. Tunku Imran, Malaysia

Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach

2008

Rolf Deyhle, German sports businessman

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

2007

His Excellency President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao of East Timor

Kevin White, Notre Dame Director of Athletics

2006

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

2005

Dr. Jacques Rogge, President, International Olympic Committee

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

2004

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

2003

Dr. Robert Khayat, Chancellor, University of Mississippi

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

2002

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

2001

Ted Turner, Media mogul

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

2000

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

1999

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

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

1998

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

1997

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

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

1996

Commendador Arnalda de Oliviera Sales

Gerald C. Hock

1995

Don Conrado Durántez, President, Spanish Olympic Committee

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

1994

Donna Lopiano, Executive Director, Women’s Sport Foundation

1993

Judith M. Sweet, First woman President of the NCAA

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

1992

Cristobal Gabarrón, Artist, Spain

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

1991

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

1990

Professor Russell M. Coley

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

1989

Richard W. Pound, International Olympic Committee member and anti-drug crusader

Howard Cosell, Television and radio broadcaster

1988

Dr. Denton A. Cooley, American heart surgeon

Mario Vazquez Rana, Member of Mexico and International Olympic Committees

1987

Henry “Bud” Greenspan, Olympic filmmaker

Ben Weider, Co-founder International Federation of BodyBuilders

1986

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

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

1985

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

Sang-Chen Lee, President, Korean Judo College