James E. Sullivan Award


The AAU James E. Sullivan Award, presented by the Amateur Athletic Union, is awarded annually in April to "the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States". Representatives from the AAU created the AAU Sullivan Award with the intent to recognize amateur contributions and achievements from non-professional athletes across the country.
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, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award "goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character". Finalists are selected from public nominations following a review by the AAU Sullivan Award Executive Committee. Approximately 10 semi-finalists are chosen, and the eventual winner is determined by votes from various members of the nationwide news media, former winners and AAU personnel. More recently, a portion of the winner's vote has been determined by the general public. Recipients are eligible for subsequent awards, although this has yet to happen.
The inaugural winner of the award was golfer Bobby Jones, winner of 13 majors between 1923 and 1930. The first female recipient, in 1944, was swimmer Ann Curtis, who won more national AAU championships than any other woman.

Winners

YearWinnerSportReference
1930Golf
1931Decathlon
1932Decathlon
1933Running
1934Running
1935Golf
1936Decathlon
1937Tennis
1938Running
1939Rowing
1940Track and field
1941Track and field
1942Pole vault
1943Running
1944Swimming
1945Football
1946Football
1947Rowing
1948Decathlon
1949Figure skating
1950Running
1951Pole vault, decathlon
1952Running
1953Diving
1954Running
1955Running
1956Diving
1957Running
1958Running
1959Shot put, discus
1960Decathlon
1961Running
1962Track and field
1963Pole vault
1964Swimming
1965Basketball
1966Running
1967Shot put, discus
1968Swimming
1969Decathlon
1970Swimming
1971Swimming
1972Running
1973Basketball
1974Running
1975Swimming
1976 Decathlon
1977Swimming
1978Swimming
1979Gymnastics
1980Speed skating
1981Running, long jump
1982Running
1983Running
1984Diving
1985Running
1986Running
1987Baseball
1988Running
1989Swimming
1990Wrestling
1991Long jump
1992Speed skating
1993Basketball, football
1994Speed skating
1995Wrestling
1996Running
1997Football
1998Basketball
1999 and Kelly MillerBasketball
2000Wrestling
2001Figure skating
2002Figure skating
2003Swimming
2004Gymnastics
2005Basketball
2006Swimming
2007Football
2008Gymnastics
2009Running
2010Figure Skating
2011Football
2012Swimming
2013Football
2014Football
2015 and Breanna StewartFootball and basketball
2016Volleyball
2017Wrestling
2018Volleyball
2019 and Spencer LeeBasketball and wrestling