The Jim Thorpe Association Lifetime Achievement Award

The Jim Thorpe Association Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest award presented by the association without consideration of athletic accomplishments. The award recognizes a lifetime of achievement by people who “set the living examples that influence others to strive for the highest goals and leadership of men, and who blaze the trails of accomplishments which leave behind the pathways of tradition for others to follow.”

Only eight people have received this award since the association was founded in 1986.

2009, Steve Owens
2004, Barry Switzer
2002, Lynne Draper
2000, Tom Osborne
1999, Chris Schenkel
1993, Allie Reynolds
1992, George Nigh
1989, Abe Lemons