Monthly Archives: December 2009

Boxer Manny Pacquiao (left) and Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbaeva Two outstanding international athletes, each with strong cases to be considered the best-ever in their respective sports, have been named the 2009 United States Sports Academy’s Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Boxer Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbaeva [...]

“Angels and Demons of Florence” by Charles Billich Charles Billich of Australia, the 2000 American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA) Sport Artist of the Year, won an award at the prestigious Florence Biennale in Italy on 16 December 2009. Billich won the Biennale for his painting “Angels and Demons of Florence.” His career has [...]

The United States Sports Academy has two art events planned in conjunction with the annual Board of Trustees meeting on 21-22 January 2010. The works of TAFA, the 2010 American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA) Sport Artist of the Year, will be on display during a public art show at 5 p.m. on Thursday, [...]

Florida Director of Athletics Jeremy Foley, left, accepts the United States Sports Academy’s Carl Maddox Sports Management Award from Academy Board of Trustees member Jimmy Carnes. University of Florida Director of Athletics Jeremy Foley was presented with the 2009 United States Sports Academy’s Carl Maddox Sports Management Award on 22 December 2009. Jimmy Carnes, a [...]

Linda Moore, a United States Sports Academy Board of Trustee member, presents a Distinguished Service Award to University of St. Francis baseball coach Gordie Gillespie. University of St. Francis baseball coach Gordie Gillespie, the winningest coach in college baseball history, received a Distinguished Service Award (DSA) from the United States Sports Academy. Academy Board of [...]

Dr. Gary Cunningham, left, a member of the United States Sports Academy’s Board of Trustees, presents the Dwight D. Eisenhower Fitness Award to “The Biggest Loser” co-hosts Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper, the trainers on the hit NBC show “The Biggest Loser,” were presented with the 2009 United States Sports [...]

Spanish Fort Middle School teachers, from left, Beverly Floyd and Cheramie Jordan gather in front of the Christmas Tree at the United States Sports Academy this past week after dropping off toys donated by their school. Students at Spanish Fort Middle School have embraced the true spirit of Christmas by helping other children who may [...]

Faculty and staff of the United States Sports Academy gathered with Col. John DeWitt and Toys for Tots regional coordinator Shinora Redmond on Friday, 11 December at the Academy. The Academy donated more than 2,000 toys to the cause. The toys will be redistributed to needy children in Baldwin County. People can still drop off [...]

J.R. Martinez When Dalton (Ga.) High School Athletic Director Ronnie McClurg first saw 17-year-old J.R. Martinez practice with his football team, he knew he had something special. “I told him after the first practice that he made the team,” said McClurg, who was Dalton’s head football coach at the time. “It was not because of [...]

Dr. Robert Cantu Dr. Robert Cantu, considered a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions, has been named the 2009 United States Sports Academy Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award winner. Dr. Cantu is known throughout the world for his work on catastrophic head and neck injuries, concussions and post concussive syndrome. He was the [...]