Dungy Receives Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award
INDIANAPOLIS - In the past few years, Tony Dungy has received numerous honors, written a best-selling book and coached the Colts to a Super Bowl victory.
On Saturday, he was honored yet again.
Dungy, the Colts' head coach the past six seasons, received the United States SAcademy's Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award on Saturday shortly before the beginning of the 2008 NFL Draft. Academy President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich presented Dungy the award during a press conference at the club's training facility.
"Your team accomplishments always come first," Dungy said Saturday. "Obviously, winning championships and being there with your group is special, but when you get an award like this where they talk about the learning part of it, the teaching aspect, the off-field things - that's what makes this special.
"It's quite an honor and something that kind of takes you back, when you get one like this."
The award is presented to an individual who has experienced outstanding achievement as a coach while exhibiting a "high standard of propriety, imagination and innovation as a character-builder in the tradition of great teacher-coaches."
"I don't think there has been a better choice than Tony Dungy," Rosandich said. "The awards committee looks to this award as what sports should be and what sport is all about. The example of this man - all the good things that he does, and the way he represents sport – is really what the award is all about."
The award has been presented annually since 1985 as part of the Academy's Awards of Sport Medallion Series, which pays "Tribute to the Artist and the Athlete." Past recipients include Tommy Lasorda, Phil Jackson, Joe Paterno and John Wooden.
"It's quite an honor and a privilege, to be named by the United States Sports Academy," Dungy said. "When you talk about John Wooden, I think that says it all in terms of coaching, winning with class and integrity, and making sports a learning experience.
"That's something I've strived to do and I'm humbly honored by this award."
Dungy also received the Academy's Order of the Eagle Exemplar medal and Academy Rosette. The medallion was designed by the Academy's Sport Artist of the Year 1990, Blair Buswell. The rosette is modeled after the Legion of Honour, instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
A rosette is a symbol of recognition and affiliation.
The United States Sports Academy is an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and the world with programs in instruction, research and service.
The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports.
Dungy, 52, has directed the Colts to a 73-23 regular-season record, six playoff appearances, five AFC South titles, two AFC Championship game appearances and a Super Bowl victory.
The Colts' 29-17 victory over Chicago in Super Bowl XLI made Dungy the first African-American head coach to win the Super Bowl. Time Magazine listed Dungy on its top-100 Heroes and Pioneers joining leaders such as Warren Buffet and Oprah Winfrey.
Dungy, in 12 seasons as a head coach, has taken 10 teams to the postseason.
