Jim Thorpe All-Around Award

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