United States Sports Academy
The United States Sports Academy is a private university focused on sports and located in Daphne, Alabama. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs as well as certificate programs. Founded in 1972, the academy has provided its sports programs to more than 60 countries around the world.
Established | 1972 |
---|---|
President | Dr. T.J. Rosandich |
Location | , , United States |
Campus | Rural |
Nickname | America's Sports University |
Affiliations | NAICU[1] |
Mascot | Sammy the Eagle |
Website | www |
History
Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich founded the Academy in 1972 in response to an inferior performance by the United States Olympic team in the 1972 Summer Olympics. Athletes were lacking quality coaching and training. The Academy's programs served as an education resource to upgrade coaching through instruction, research and service.
The academy's campus is also home to the American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA), which was founded in 1984. The collection contains more than 1,000 works of sport art from world-renowned artists, many of whom have been honored by the academy as Sport Artist of the Year. The academy is also developing an outdoor Sculpture Park on campus, which is dedicated to celebrating sport with the erection of numerous environmentally friendly sculptures.
The academy also hosts the Awards of Sport series, also known as its tribute to "The Artist and the Athlete." These awards honor sports figures for their accomplishments and achievements in such things as performance, humanitarian activities, fitness and media.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award
The Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award[2] is presented each year, for the preceding calendar year. It was first presented in 1985, for the 1984 sports year. Each recipient receives the USSA's Order of the Eagle Exemplar medal and Academy Rosette.[3] For list of awardees through 2014, see footnote[4]
- There is a separate Amos Alonzo Stagg Award presented by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Carl Maddox Sport Management Award
The Carl Maddox Sport Management Award is presented each year. It was first presented in 1991.[5]
Notable alumni
- Aimee Buchanan (born 1993), American-born Olympic figure skater for Israel
- Stephen Hawkins, head coach of the Western Michigan University Broncos men's basketball team since May 1, 2003.
- Tony Hobson, head coach at Fort Hays State University since 2008
- Mike Leach, head coach of the Mississippi State University Bulldogs football team since January 9, 2020.
- Greg McDermott, head coach of the Creighton University Bluejays men's basketball team since April 26, 2010.
References
- "NAICU – Member Directory". Archived from the original on 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
- See also the Sporting News list of the 50 greatest coaches of all time (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, college basketball, and college football). D'Alessio, Jeff (July 29, 2009). "Sporting News' 50 greatest coaches of all time". SportingNews.com. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- "Donovan Presented With United States Sports Academy Coaching Award". GatorZone.com. July 17, 2007. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award Archived December 20, 2014, at the Wayback Machine webpage. American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA) website. United States Sports Academy. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- Awards of Sport: Carl Maddox Sport United States Sports Academy. Retrieved 2011-01-20.