Honorary Doctorates

Eagle Exemplar

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