Outstanding Athletes of the Year
Awards of Sport
Each month, the United States Sports Academy selects an Athlete of the Month based on an athlete's performance from the preceding month. At the end of the year, all 12 monthly selections are used to formulate the Athlete of the Year ballot, which is presented worldwide via the web from 1 through 25 December. The ballot, run in conjunction with USAToday.com and MSNBC.com, attracts tens of thousands of votes from sports fans around the globe.
The top voted person — male or female — is awarded the Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award. The next highest voted are named the Male and Female Athletes of the Year, respectively.
Previous Recipients
Male Athlete of the Year
- Lance ArmstrongCyclist
- Charles BarkleyForward, Pheonix Suns
- Larry BirdForward, Boston Celtics
- Dennis ConnerChampion Skipper (Sailing)
- Dennis EckersleyPitcher, Oakland Athletics
- Michael JordanGuard, Chicago Bulls
- Greg LeMondCyclist
- Gregg MadduxPitcher, Atlanta Braves
- Walter PaytonRunning Back, Chicago Bears
- Michael PhelpsU.S. Olympic Swimmer
- Jerry RiceWide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers
- Nolan RyanPitcher, Texas Rangers
- Cael SandersonWrestler
- Sammy SosaOutfielder, Chicago Cubs
- Tiger WoodsProfessional Golf
Female Athlete of the Year:
- Susan ButcherDog Sled Racer
- Jennifer CapriatiProfessional Tennis
- Beth DanielProfessional Golfer
- Staffi GrafProfessional Tennis
- Martina HingisProfessional Tennis
- Julie KroneChampion Horse Jockey
- Tara LapinskiFigure Skater
- Nancy LopezProfessional Golfer
- Martina NavratilovaProfessional Tennis
- Danica PatrickIndyCar Racer
- Carly PattersonU.S. Olympic Gymnast
- Monica SelesProfessional Tennis
- Annika SorenstamProfessional Golfer
- Serena WilliamsProfessional Tennis
- Maria SharapovaProfessional Tennis
Athlete of the Year
- Lance ArmstrongCyclist, Tour de France Champion
- Barry BondsLeft Fielder, San Francisco Giants
- Roger FedererProfessional Tennis
- George ForemanHeavyweight Champion Boxer
- Mia HammU.S. Women's National Soccer Team
- Michael JohnsonOlympic Sprinter
- Michael JordanGuard, Chicago Bulls
- Greg LouganisU.S. Olympic Swimmer
- Mark McGwireFirst Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals
- Joe MontanaQuarterback, San Francisco 49ers
- Michael PhelpsU.S. Olympic Swimmer
- Cal Ripken Jr.Shortstop, Baltimore Orioles
- Tiger WoodsPGA Golfer
