NCAA Award of Valor
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The NCAA Award of Valor not presented by the NCAA on an annual basis, but is be presented to a current intercollegiate athletics coach or administrator or to a current or former varsity letter-winner at an NCAA institution who, when confronted with a situation involving personal danger, acted with valor. Valor is described as "the strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to brave danger with boldness and firmness" and applies to someone who has averted or minimized potential disaster by courageous action or noteworthy bravery.
The recipients of the NCAA Award of Valor are:
- 2007 - Derek Hines, 2003 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, demonstrated valor in Afghanistan before being killed there.
- 2004 - Jimmy Baxter, University of South Florida, saved two men trapped in a vehicle after a violent crash.
- 2001 - Rob Best (1972 graduate of Texas Tech University), Shawn Elliot (1996 graduate of Appalachian State University) and Stacey Searels (graduate of Auburn University), all members of the Appalachian State University football coaching staff, saved a number of people from a fiery crash.
- 2000 - John E. Berry Jr., Williams College, two-sport student-athlete who gave up his final year of eligibility in football to donate a kidney to his older brother.
- 1998 - Shannon Shea Smith, University of Hawaii, gave his life while saving the 6-year-old son of Hawaii's head football coach from drowning in a whirl pool.
- 1984 - Joseph A. Delaney,former all-America performer in football and track at Northwestern State University and budding star with the Kansas City Chiefs died trying to save three youngsters from drowning.
- 1982 - Timothy J. McCarthy, former football player at University of Illinois, this United States Secret Service agent was wounded March 30, 1981 during an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.
- 1977 - Dwayne A. Wright, saved two people who were trapped in a burning auto.
- 1974 - Charles G. "Lefty" Driesell, in a fire that destroyed four townhouses, broke down a door and began getting children out.
- 1974 - William J. ("Jeff") Miller, University of Texas at Arlington football player, saved four people from a fire at Gcrhardt-Owens munitions plant in Cleburne, Texas.
Mr. Miller made four trips into the assembly room, carrying injured co-workers to safety and then administering first aid to some of the victims. All the time, fire and explosions were raging. Four persons were killed in the blast and fire but Mr. Miller saved four lives with disregard to his own safety.
- 1974 - The Ursinus College 1973 Basketball Team, every member of the team entered the burning building and rescued 14 persons, using doors and table tops as stretchers to carry the people out.
