The Jim Thorpe Association along with FATE (Fighting Addiction Through Education) honored the 2012 Red Ribbon Drug Free essay and poster winners today at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Students across the state were asked to submit essays and artwork best representing how they interpreted this year’s Red Ribbon Theme: The Best Me is Drug Free.

A list of winners can be found below.  To view the winning artwork as well as pictures of the winners at the Awards ceremony, please visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/JimThorpeAssociation

2012 Poster Contest Winners

Ages 5 – 7          First Place              Imani Carr, Dove Science Academy
Second Place              Jackson Mismash, Fairland Elementary
Third Place              Katrina Ash, Dale Elem.

Ages 8 – 10 First Place Kaitlynn Moore, Mustang Centennial
Second Place Anna White, Dale Elem.
Third Place Bertina Charles, Charles Evans Elementary

Ages 11 – 13 First Place Emma Howard, OK Christian Academy
Second Place Dylan Mismash, Fairland Middle School
Third Place Tyler Jurey, Cyril Elementary

Ages 14 – 16 First Place Timothy Moua, Afton  High School
Second Place Matthew Lin, OK Christian Academy
Third Place Izlee Anderson, Elgin High School

Ages 17 – 18 First Place Tyler Ray, Elgin  High School
Second Place Katie Blanks, Afton High School
Third Place Lilly Rungcharoenroayying, OK Christian
Academy

2012 Essay Contest Winners

Ages 5 – 7 First Place Hudson Byers, Clara Reynolds Elementary

Ages 8 – 10 First Place Journi James, Eufaula Elementary
Second Place Kylie Maynard, Clara Reynolds Elementary
Third Place Katie Kelly, Eisenhower Elementary

Ages 11 – 13 First Place Brianna Lake, Piedmont Intermediate
Second Place Lauren Holland, Bluejacket Middle School
Third Place Madison Roberson, Comanche Middle School

Ages 14-16 First Place Elijah Kleehammer, Elgin High School
Second Place Keaton Holland, Bluejacket High School
Third Place Balee McAuley, Comanche High School

Ages 17-18 First Place Savannah McCartney, Sequoyah High School
Second Place Cheleesa Woods, Bluejacket High School

(Oklahoma City) – Lieutenant Governor, Todd Lamb announced today the 2013 Induction Class for the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.  The announcement was made at the Jim Thorpe Museum during the Jim Thorpe Association’s Leadership Luncheon. The 2013 induction class is made up of seven individuals who have contributed to the sports heritage of Oklahoma in a variation of ways.

The 2013 class includes University of Oklahoma wrestling great, Wayne Baughman; Chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Clay Bennett; Olympic gold medalist, Nadia Comaneci; Oklahoma City University football standout, LeRoy “Ace” Gutowsky; Former Sooner quarterback, Jimmy Harris; University of Kansas head basketball coach, Bill Self Jr.; and Oklahoma State two-sport All American, John Henry Ward.  Gutowsky, Harris and Ward will be inducted posthumously.

“This year’s class is spectacular,” said Eddie Griffin, President of The Jim Thorpe Association.  “The achievements of these individuals are unparalleled: Olympic champions, All Americans, and record-setting careers. It’s just remarkable.  This group truly represents how great the state of Oklahoma is.”

The induction ceremonies will be held on August 5, 2013 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Wayne Baughman: Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Wayne was a standout wrestler at the University of Oklahoma.  He was an NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion and placed 2^nd twice, becoming a three-time All-American. He was also a two-time Big 8 Champion. In addition to his collegiate career, Baughman was on three US Olympic and eight World Championship wrestling teams. He coached two Olympic and five World Championship teams. He placed 5^th and 7^th in the Olympics and was a Pan American Games Gold Medal Winner.

Clay Bennett: An extremely successful businessman,  Bennett serves as President of Dorchester Capital Corporation, a private investment firm, and serves as Chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder.  Mr. Bennett was instrumental in bringing the franchise to Oklahoma City from Seattle.  He works with numerous civic organizations including: the Oklahoma City Industrial and Cultural Facilities Trust; the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation, the Research Institute for Economic Development, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and Casady School.

Nadia Comaneci: A former Romanian gymnast, Comaneci won three Olympic gold medals at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and was the first female gymnast to be awarded a “perfect 10” in an Olympic event.  She won two more gold medals in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.  She received the Olympic Order, the highest award given by the International Olympic Committee in 1984 and 2004.  She is the only person to have received it twice.  She has also been inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.  She and her husband, Bart Conner, reside in Norman and are business partners with their manager, Paul Ziert, in the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy, International Gymnast magazine, Perfect 10 Productions, Inc. (a TV production company) and Grips, Etc. (a gymnastics supply company).

LeRoy “Ace” Gutowsky: Raised in Kingfisher, Gutowsky was a football star who excelled at Oklahoma City University and went on to play professionally for eight years.  While playing fullback at OCU, Gutowsky lost only one game in the first two years of the 1930s.  Gutowsky played eight years of professional football for the Portsmouth Spartans (1932-1933), Detroit Lions (1934-1938), and the Brooklyn Dodgers (1939).  He set the NFL career rushing record in October 1939 and held the Lions’ career and single-season rushing records until the 1960s.

Jimmy Harris: The quarterback who never lost, Harris had a record of 31-0, as he led the Oklahoma Sooners during their historic undefeated winning streak of 47 straight wins.  Harris went undefeated after becoming quarterback during the 1954 season and led the Sooners to two National Championships in 1955 and 1956.  He went on to play four seasons in the NFL as a defensive back with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys, where he recorded 11 career interceptions.  Following his playing career, Harris became a successful oil man as owner of Midroc Operating Company.

Bill Self Jr.: A native of Edmond, Bill Self is currently serves as the head basketball coach for the University of Kansas.  Self was named the Oklahoma High School Basketball Player of the Year in 1981 and went on to play at Oklahoma State University under Coach Paul Hansen.  While at OSU, he was a four-year letter winner and was an All-Big Eight freshman selection. He began his coaching career in 1985 and has achieved extraordinary success.  He served as an assistant at KU and OSU, under Leonard Hamilton and Eddie Sutton, before making coaching stops at Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Illinois and hired by KU in 2003.  With the Jayhawks, Self has won an NCAA National Championship (2008), made two Final Four appearances (2008, 2012), won eight Big XII regular season championships, and five Big XII tournament championships.  He was named the AP Coach of the Year in 2009 and the Naismith College Coach of the Year in 2012.  He has also been named the Big XII Coach of the Year four times: 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

John Henry Ward: A two-sport All-American at Oklahoma State, Ward was a first round pick in the 1970 NFL draft.  A graduate of Tulsa Rogers High School, he excelled in both football and wrestling at OSU.  He was a 1969 All-American tackle in football and a 1969 All-American in wrestling, finishing third at the NCAA Championships as a heavyweight.  Ward was a lineman in the NFL from 1970-1976 for the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  He played on two Super Bowl teams while he was with the Vikings.

Oklahoma City—Johnthan Banks of Mississippi State has been named the 2012 Thorpe Award Winner, given to the top defensive back in college football.

“First of all, it’s a blessing from God to be given this opportunity,” Banks said. “I want to first thank the Jim Thorpe Association. It’s kind of shocking. There are so many great defensive backs in the country and this is all just a dream to me.”

Banks, also named a Walter Camp All-American Thursday, took home the award after posting 59 tackles, seven pass breakups, four interceptions, 2.0 tackles for loss, a fumble forced and a fumble recovery in 2012. Among active players in the FBS, the senior team captain ranks first in career interception yards (320), is tied for third with 16 career interceptions, is tied for sixth in interceptions returned for touchdowns (3), ranks eighth in interceptions per game (0.32) and is tied for eighth with 26 career pass breakups.

The other Thorpe Award finalists for 2012 were Dee Milliner of Alabama and Phillip Thomas of Fresno State.  Banks is the fourth consecutive player from the SEC to be chosen as a Thorpe Award winner.  Previous winners include Morris Claiborne, LSU (2011); Patrick Peterson, LSU (2010); and Eric Berry, Tennessee (2009).

“Four years ago, Johnthan Banks made a decision to stay at home and represent the people of Mississippi,” MSU head coach Dan Mullen said. “What a tremendous honor for a young man from Maben, Miss., to be honored with the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in college football. It is something special for the entire state of Mississippi.”

The announcement was made at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.  Banks was presented the Thorpe Award by Chickasaw Nation Governor, Bill Anoatubby and former University of Oklahoma football coach, Barry Switzer on behalf of the Jim Thorpe Association.

The Jim Thorpe Association will honor Banks at the Jim Thorpe Award Banquet on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 in Oklahoma City.  The banquet will be held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Ticket and sponsorship questions should be directed to the Jim Thorpe Association at 405.427.1400

Johnthan Banks, Sr. Mississippi State—A midseason first-team All-American and All-SEC ,Banks ranks first in career interception yards (320) among active players.  He has four interceptions in the 2012 season and 16 in his career, ranking third in the FBS.  Banks was also named a Senior CLASS Award Finalist.

Dee Milliner, Jr. Alabama—Milliner leads the SEC and ranks second nationally in passes defended (1.78 pg) with 14 pass breakups and two interceptions.  In the 2012 season, he has twice had four pass breakups in a game and three versus Missouri.  He is also a Bronko Nagurski finalist.

Phillip Thomas, Sr. Fresno State—Thomas has eight interceptions on the season, leading the FBS and two more than any other player in the nation and more than 35 bowl subdivision teams.  He set a Fresno State record and tied the Mountain West record for interceptions returned for touchdowns in a single season with three.

The three Jim Thorpe Award finalists will be highlighted on ESPNU during The Home Depot College Football Awards Nomination Special airing Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. (CT). The 30-minute show, hosted by Matt Schick, will include player interviews and analysis from Kevin Carter surrounding finalists for the Thorpe Award and other members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA).

This year’s Jim Thorpe Award winner will be revealed on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing live from the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk at the Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. (CT).

The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 in Oklahoma City, OK at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.  Ticket and sponsorship questions should be directed to the Jim Thorpe Association at 405.427.1400.

The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.ncfaa.org.

The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.ncfaa.org.

Clemson’s Jonathan Meeks Named Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week

CLEVELAND, Ohio – After recording two key interceptions, including one he returned 74 yards for a touchdown in No. 14 Clemson’s 38-17 win over Virginia Tech, senior safety Jonathan Meeks (Rock Hill, S.C.) has been named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week.

Up just 10-7 with Virginia Tech driving in the second quarter, Meeks intercepted a pass at the Clemson 26 yard line and returned it for the score giving the Tigers momentum and a 17-7 lead. The 74-yard return was the longest interception return for a score by a Clemson player since 2006.

Meeks also added four tackles, a pass breakup and had another interception earlier in the second quarter as Meeks jumped to fifth in Clemson history in total interception return yards with 192.

Honorable Mention Players for Week Eight:

Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State, Senior Cornerback – Banks continued his assault on the Mississippi State record book as he tied for the team-lead with eight tackles, intercepted a pass, which he returned 46 yards, and had two pass deflections in the Bulldogs’ 45-3 win over Middle Tennessee. Banks’ 16 career interceptions now ties him for the all-time Mississippi State mark with Walt Harris.

Bene Benwikere, San Jose State, Junior Cornerback – Benwikere had a career-high 11 tackles, including two for a loss in San Jose State’s 52-24 win at UTSA. He also intercepted a pass (returned it 30 yards), forced a fumble and recovered a fumble that led to fourteen Spartan points.

A.J. Bouye, UCF, Senior Cornerback – Bouye took part in a pair of second half turnovers that were crucial in the Knights’ 35-17 win at Memphis. With UCF ahead 14-10 in the third quarter and Memphis driving, Bouye picked off a pass and ran it back 32 yards to set up a UCF touchdown. Up 21-10, Bouye put the game out of reach by scooping up a Memphis fumble and ran it back 79 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest fumble return for a touchdown in UCF history.

Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida, Sophomore Cornerback – Purifoy had three tackles including one for a loss and forced two fumbles in No. 3 Florida’s 44-11 win over No. 9 South Carolina. Purifoy’s first forced fumble came on the opening offensive play of the game when he stripped Gamecock quarterback Connor Shaw and the ball was recovered at the South Carolina one-yard line. The Gators took an early 7-0 lead three plays later and it set the tone for the rest of the day.

Tony Jefferson of Oklahoma Named Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week

CLEVELAND, Ohio – After recording a team-high seven tackles and an interception for No. 13 Oklahoma in their dominating 63-21 win over No. 15 Texas, junior safety Tony Jefferson (Chula Vista, Calif.) has been named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week.

Jefferson also added a team-high two tackles for loss and was one of the defenders in on an Oklahoma safety that extended their lead to 29-2 in the second quarter.

Jefferson was a member of the 2012 Jim Thorpe Preseason Watch List released this past summer after sensational freshman and sophomore seasons that saw him garner All-Big 12 accolades each year.

Honorable Mention Players for Week Seven:

Cody Davis, Texas Tech, Senior Safety – Davis logged a game-high 13 tackles and had two pass breakups in Texas Tech’s 49-14 upset of No. 5 West Virginia. Davis was a key component of a Red Raider defense that held one of the nation’s best offenses to convert just 30 percent of their third downs and just 22 percent of their fourth downs.

Steve Williams, California, Junior Cornerback - Williams notched a career-high four pass breakups and intercepted a pass in Cal’s end zone in a 31-17 victory over Washington State. Williams also added a team-high six tackles.

Eric Reid, LSU, Junior Safety – Reid had seven tackles and an interception in No. 9 LSU’s 23-21 win over No. 3 South Carolina. Reid’s interception came in the fourth quarter with LSU trailing 14-13 and his subsequent 29-yard return to the South Carolina 22-yard line set the Tigers up for a field goal that would give them the lead for good.

Matthias Farley, Notre Dame, Sophomore Safety – Farley recorded his first career interception and added eight tackles in No. 7 Notre Dame’s 20-13 overtime home win over No. 17 Stanford.  Farley returned his first-quarter interception 49 yards, setting up the first score of the game for the Fighting Irish and his tackle for loss in the fourth quarter thwarted the Cardinal from scoring a touchdown late.

About the Jim Thorpe Award:

The Thorpe Award is named after history’s greatest athlete, Jim Thorpe, and is presented by the Jim Thorpe Association in Oklahoma City.  Thorpe excelled at every sport in which he competed, including football at which he played on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The 2012 Olympics mark the 100-year anniversary of Thorpe winning gold in the decathlon and pentathlon at the Stockholm Olympics.

The candidates for the award are selected by a “screening committee” of Jim Thorpe Association members who follow several players throughout the season, watching games and researching information sources to grade Thorpe Award candidates on the basis of performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The committee then narrows the field to three finalists and the names of these finalists are submitted to a national panel of about 50 sports writers, sportscasters, coaches and former players who vote to determine the winner.

The Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 6, 2012 on ESPN.

The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.NCFAA.org.

Each week, Phil Steele will be overlooking the candidates issued by the school, the conference and distinguished committee members. After including his own personal input, the winner will be announced every Wednesday at jimthorpeassoc.org and PhilSteele.com.

Jordan Poyer Named Week 6 Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week

CLEVELAND, Ohio – After recording three interceptions for Oregon State in their 19-6 win over Washington State, senior cornerback Jordan Poyer (Astoria, Ore.) has been named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week.

Poyer’s three interceptions were the most by an Oregon State player in nearly a decade and his final interception sealed the win for the Beavers. With Washington State driving in Beaver territory late in the fourth quarter, Poyer intercepted a Cougar pass and returned it 50 yards that allowed Oregon State to run out the clock. He also added four tackles including one for a loss.

Poyer was a member of the 2012 Jim Thorpe Preseason Watch List released this past summer after a sensational junior season that saw him receive second-team All-Pac-12 honors.

Honorable Mention Players for Week Six:

Matt Elam, Florida, Junior Safety – Elam’s forced fumble late in the third quarter after a 56-yard reception changed the momentum of the game and helped Florida to a 14-6 win over LSU.  He also tallied a team-high seven solo tackles with one for a two-yard loss.

Kameron Jackson, California, Sophomore Cornerback - Jackson, came off the bench in the first quarter and finished with three interceptions to go along with four tackles and a pass breakup in California’s 43-17 upset win over No. 25 UCLA. Jackson’s first career interception came in the Cal end zone in the final minute of the first half and preserved 16-7 margin at the break. He added two picks in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Walt Canty, Duke, Senior Safety – Canty had a season-high 14 tackles, including a career-high three tackles for loss, and one quarterback pressure in Duke’s 42-17 win over Virginia. With Duke nursing a 21-17 advantage early in the third period, Canty made three tackles in a four-play span that helped turn the momentum of the game.

Phillip Thomas, Fresno State, Senior Safety – Thomas registered a team-high eight tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception in Fresno State’s 28-7 win over Colorado State. His sack in the first quarter forced a fumble and gave Fresno State the ball on the CSU 29-yard line and led to the Bulldogs’ first touchdown. In the second half with the Bulldogs up 14-0, Thomas stopped a Ram running back short of a first down on fourth-and-two, giving the Bulldogs the ball in CSU territory and leading to another Fresno State touchdown. On CSU’s next possession, Thomas intercepted a pass, which led to Fresno State’s fourth touchdown of the game. Thomas currently leads the nation in interceptions with six.

About the Jim Thorpe Award:

The Thorpe Award is named after history’s greatest athlete, Jim Thorpe, and is presented by the Jim Thorpe Association in Oklahoma City.  Thorpe excelled at every sport in which he competed, including football at which he played on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The 2012 Olympics mark the 100-year anniversary of Thorpe winning gold in the decathlon and pentathlon at the Stockholm Olympics.

The candidates for the award are selected by a “screening committee” of Jim Thorpe Association members who follow several players throughout the season, watching games and researching information sources to grade Thorpe Award candidates on the basis of performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The committee then narrows the field to three finalists and the names of these finalists are submitted to a national panel of about 50 sports writers, sportscasters, coaches and former players who vote to determine the winner.

The Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 6, 2012 on ESPN.

The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.NCFAA.org.

Each week, Phil Steele will be overlooking the candidates issued by the school, the conference and distinguished committee members. After including his own personal input, the winner will be announced every Wednesday at jimthorpeassoc.org and PhilSteele.com.

Cornelius Douglas Named Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week

CLEVELAND, Ohio – After recording two key interceptions for Texas Tech in their 24-13 road win over Iowa State, senior cornerback Cornelius Douglas (Lawton, Okla.) has been named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week.

Douglas returned to the lineup after missing a game with injury and recorded three tackles along with his two picks. Douglas ran his last interception back 40 yards to give the Tech offense the ball on the Iowa State 9-yard line and helped set up their game-clinching touchdown.

Honorable Mention Players for Week Five:

Chip Thompson, East Carolina, Junior Safety – Thompson tallied eight tackles, netted two fourth quarter interceptions and recorded another pass breakup in East Carolina’s 28-18 win over UTEP. He halted a potential Miner scoring drive at the ECU 18-yard line by picking off a pass with 11:16 remaining before adding another interception at the UTEP 45-yard line and returning it 22 yards to set up a touchdown with 4:54 left.

Ricardo Allen, Purdue, Junior Cornerback - Allen totaled eight tackles, a tackle for loss and had an interception return for a touchdown in Purdue’s 51-41 win over Marshall. Allen’s 39-yard pick-six in the second quarter allowed him to become Purdue’s all-time leader with four interceptions returned for touchdowns (tied for most among FBS active players).

Sanders Commings, Georgia, Senior Cornerback – Commings tallied five tackles (four solos) and had a pair of interceptions in the final six minutes of the game to help Georgia defeat Tennessee, 51-44.  His first pick was at the UGA 36-yard line at the six-minute mark and his second preserved the UGA win with seven seconds left in the game.

Phillip Thomas, Fresno State, Senior Safety – Thomas recorded four tackles and two key interceptions in Fresno State’s 52-40 win over San Diego State. Both interceptions came in the second half with Fresno holding on to a single digit lead. Thomas now leads the country with five interceptions.

About the Jim Thorpe Award:

The Thorpe Award is named after history’s greatest athlete, Jim Thorpe, and is presented by the Jim Thorpe Association in Oklahoma City.  Thorpe excelled at every sport in which he competed, including football at which he played on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The 2012 Olympics mark the 100-year anniversary of Thorpe winning gold in the decathlon and pentathlon at the Stockholm Olympics.

The candidates for the award are selected by a “screening committee” of Jim Thorpe Association members who follow several players throughout the season, watching games and researching information sources to grade Thorpe Award candidates on the basis of performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The committee then narrows the field to three finalists and the names of these finalists are submitted to a national panel of about 50 sports writers, sportscasters, coaches and former players who vote to determine the winner.

The Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 6, 2012 on ESPN.

The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.NCFAA.org.

Each week, Phil Steele will be overlooking the candidates issued by the school, the conference and distinguished committee members. After including his own personal input, the winner will be announced every Wednesday at jimthorpeassoc.org and PhilSteele.com.