James E. Sullivan Award

AAU James E. Sullivan Award
Awarded forThe most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level in the U.S. who demonstrates qualities of leadership, citizenship, character and sportsmanship on and off the field.
CountryUnited States
Presented byAmateur Athletic Union
First award1930
Currently held byLexi Rodriguez (2024)
Websiteaausullivan.org

The AAU James E. Sullivan Award, presented by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), is awarded annually to "the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level in the United States".[1][a]

The award was established in 1930 in honor of the organization's founder and past president, James Edward Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, and sportsmanship, the AAU Sullivan Award "goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character".[1] Finalists are selected from public nominations following a review by the AAU Sullivan Award Executive Committee.[2] Approximately 10 semi-finalists are chosen,[2] and the eventual winner is determined by votes from various members of the nationwide news media, former winners and AAU personnel.[3][4] More recently, a portion of the winner's vote has been determined by the general public.[5][6] Recipients are eligible for subsequent awards, and in 2023, Caitlin Clark became the first repeat winner.[2][7] In 1999, 2015, 2019, and 2020, the award was shared between two co-recipients.

The inaugural winner of the award was golfer Bobby Jones, winner of 13 majors between 1923 and 1930.[8][9] The first female recipient, in 1944, was swimmer Ann Curtis, who won more national AAU championships than any other woman.[10] 34 track and field athletes have won the AAU Sullivan Award—the most by any sport.

  • Golfer Bobby Jones won the inaugural award in 1930.
  • Wilma Rudolph received the accolade in 1961.
  • Track athlete Carl Lewis received the award in 1981.
  • Peyton Manning won the award in 1997.
  • Figure skater, Michelle Kwan, took the honor in 2001.
  • Swimmer and most decorated Olympian of all time Michael Phelps won the award in 2003.
  • Olympic gold-medalist, Shawn Johnson, won the award in 2008.
  • Quarterback Keenan Reynolds was awarded the 86th AAU James E. Sullivan Award.
  • Caitlin Clark won the award in 2022 and 2023, the first ever 2× winner.
  1. ^ a b "The Sullivan Award – Overview". Amateur Athletic Union. Archived from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "Guidelines for nomination of an amateur athlete". Amateur Athletic Union. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference naber was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference mccormick was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Scott, Roxanna (April 8, 2009). "Beijing Olympians highlight Sullivan ballot". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference basketball was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Iowa's Caitlin Clark first 2-time winner of Sullivan Award". ESPN. April 24, 2024. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  8. ^ "Robert T. Jones". Amateur Athletic Union. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  9. ^ "The History of the AAC". BBC Sport. August 10, 2001. Archived from the original on July 12, 2004. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  10. ^ "Ann Curtis". Amateur Athletic Union. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2010.


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