NCAA honors Father Hesburgh with inaugural Ford award

Published: 2003-12-01

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (CNS) -- Holy Cross Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Gerald R. Ford Award from the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Named in honor of former President Ford, the award honors individuals who have provided significant leadership as advocates for intercollegiate athletics on a continuous basis over the course of their careers. Father Hesburgh's "35-year career as president of the one of the most prestigious universities in the country enabled him to be a major influence on the evolution of higher education in the last half of the 20th century," said Myles Brand, NCAA president. "He also is one of the strongest advocates for the contributions intercollegiate athletics can make." Brand will present the award to Father Hesburgh Jan. 11 at the association's national convention in Nashville, Tenn.

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