CRITERIA: The Jim Thorpe All-Around Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in multiple sport and/or multiple events of the same sport. This individual should exhibit the qualities of versatility, strength, speed, flexibility, conditioning and training that exemplify superior athletic prowess.
Jim Thorpe was an Indian of the Sac and Fox tribe whose given name, “Bright Path,” became a legend for his athletic prowess. His natural ability and versatility took him to the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm where he won both the pentathlon and decathlon events. Thorpe stood before the royal box during those games in Sweden as the king proclaimed to him, “Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world.” The extraordinarily talented athlete went on to make his mark in the annals of professional baseball and football.
Previous Recipients
- 2018
- Kevin Mayer – Decathlon World Record Holder
- 2017
- Nafissatou Thiam – World Champion Belgian Heptathlete
- 2016
- Ashton Eaton – Decathlon and Indoor Heptathlon World Record Holder
- 2015
- Russell Wilson – NFL Seattle Seahawks Quarterback, Drafted by the MLB Baltimore Orioles
- 2014
- Lauryn Williams – First U.S. Female to Medal in Winter and Summer Games
- 2013
- Jessica Ennis – 2012 London Olympic Heptathlon Gold Medalist
- 2012
- Ashton Eaton – 2012 London Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist and World Record Holder
- 2011
- Marino Vanhoenacker – Ironman Austria Triathlon World Record Holder
- 2010
- Ashton Eaton – Heptathlon World Record Holder
- 2009
- Trey Hardee – U.S. world champion in decathlon
- 2008
- Brian Clay – U.S. Olympic decathlon champion
- 2007
- Carolina Kluft – Gold medalist and three-time world heptathlon champ
- 2006
- Sheila Taormina – U.S. Open champion, Modern Pentathlon
- 2005
- Hunter Kemper – World Cup triathlon champion
- 2004
- Roman Sebrle – Decathlete and world and Olympic gold medalist
- 2003
- Tom Pappas – World decathlon champion
- 2002
- Natascha Badmann – Ironman Triathlon winner
- 2001
- Julius Peppers – Football and basketball player at North Carolina
- 2000
- Erki Nool – Olympic gold medalist, decathlon
- 1999
- Tomas Dvorak – World record holder in decathlon
- 1998
- Rob Stull – Executive director, USA Modern Pentathlon
- 1997
- Kristin Folkl – Stanford University basketball and volleyball player
- 1996
- Danny Ainge – Phoenix Suns player and former MLB third baseman
- 1995
- Dan O’Brien – Olympic Gold medal winner in decathlon
- 1994
- Deion Sanders – Cowboys football/Giants baseball player
- 1993
- Dan O’Brien – World-record holder in decathlon
- 1992
- Charlie Ward – Heisman Trophy QB at Florida State and NBA player
- 1991
- Deion Sanders – Atlanta Braves and Falcons star
- 1990
- Herschel Walker – Pro football player and Olympic bobsledder
- 1989
- Willie Gault – Pro football player and Olympian sprinter and bobsledder
- 1988
- Bo Jackson – Kansas City Royals and L.A. Raiders
- 1987
- Bob Mathias – U.S. decathlon gold medalist in 1948 and 1952
- 1986
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee – Olympic gold medalist in heptathlon
- 1985
- Renaldo Nehemiah – Olympic hurdler and 49ers receiver