The Jim Thorpe Association has named Tami Loch as their Director of Advancement.  Loch will oversee and plan all events for the Association and will play a key role in fundraising for the Jim Thorpe Association, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, and the Jim Thorpe Museum.

Loch has previously worked in membership development, fundraising, and event planning.  She comes to the Thorpe Association from Leadership Oklahoma where she served as the Director of Membership.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a member of the Oklahoma City chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Association of Emerging Professionals.

“We’re excited to have Tami join the Thorpe Association,” said Eddie Griffin, President of the Jim Thorpe Association.  “She brings invaluable experience to the position and we believe she will take the Association to the next level.  Tami’s combination of development and event planning experience make her a perfect fit for our organization.”

OKLAHOMA SPORTS HALL OF FAME NAMES 2012 INDUCTEES

(Oklahoma City) – Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett today announced the 2012 class of inductees into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.  The 2012 induction class is made up of six individuals who have contributed to the sports heritage of Oklahoma in a variation of ways.

The 2012 class includes Jim Thorpe Association founder, Lynne Draper; Baseball Hall of Famer, Ferguson Jenkins; former Oklahoma State head football coach, Pat Jones; golf course architect, Perry Maxwell;  Oklahoma State All-American basketball great, Jesse “Cab” Renick; and Sooner football great, Dewey Selmon.  Both Renick and Maxwell will be inducted posthumously.

“We are very excited about this year’s class of inductees,” said Eddie Griffin, President of The Jim Thorpe Association.  “Each one represents something different that they contributed to the sports world in the state of Oklahoma.  All have left a legacy that we are proud to honor with this recognition.”

The induction ceremonies will be held on August 6, 2012 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Lynne Draper: Founder of the Jim Thorpe Association and co-creator of the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football.  Named as one of The Oklahoman’s 100 greatest coaches and contributors, Draper served as the Executive Director and President of the Jim Thorpe Association from 1986 until 2011.  Considered a visionary, Draper has contributed greatly to preserving the sports history in the state of Oklahoma.

Ferguson Jenkins: Considered one of the dominant pitchers of his time, Ferguson Jenkins was a three-time MLB All-Star and was awarded the 1971 National League Cy Young Award winner.  He is one of four major league pitchers to ever record more than 3,000 strikeouts with fewer than 1,000 walks.  Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 and had his number, 31, retired by the Chicago Cubs in 2009.  Jenkins was also instrumental in establishing the Oklahoma Sports Museum in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Pat Jones: The all-time winningest football coach in Oklahoma State University history, Pat Jones, spent thirty-seven years as a football coach, including ten years in the NFL.  While serving as head coach for the Cowboys from 1984-1994, Jones coached nine All-Americans and one Heisman Trophy winner (Barry Sanders, 1988).  He also coached the Big 8’s All-time leading passer (Mike Gundy), receiver (Hart Lee Dykes) and rusher (Thurman Thomas).  He was twice named Big 8 Coach of the Year (1984 & 1992).  He was recently named into the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame (2011) and Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (2012).

Perry Maxwell (deceased): Known as “the father of Oklahoma golf,” he was involved with the original or complete redesign of more than 70 golf courses during his lifetime including thirteen courses across Oklahoma.  Oklahoma courses include: Twin Hills, Bartlesville’s Hillcrest, Lawton Country Club, Oklahoma City’s Golf & Country Club and Tulsa’s Southern Hills, home to numerous PGA and USGA championship events.  Maxwell left his mark in 21 states and also notably designed The Colonial (Ft. Worth, Texas) and Prairie Dunes (Hutchinson, Kansas).

Jesse “Cab” Renick (deceased): Oklahoma State University basketball’s first two-time All-American, Renick haled from Marietta, Oklahoma.  Considered as one of the offensive highlights of Coach Henry Iba’s 1938-1939 squad, he led the team in scoring with 179 points in 27 games.  He finished his career at Oklahoma A&M with 403 points over 56 games.  Renick competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics and became the second Native American, after Jim Thorpe, to win an Olympic Gold Medal.

Dewey Selmon: One of the three legendary Selmon brothers, Dewey Selmon played linebacker for the University of Oklahoma.   A two-time All American (1974 & 1975), he was a key defensive figure on the 1974 & 1975 Sooner National Championship teams.  During those seasons, he registered triple figures in tackles, second only to his brother Lee Roy.  He went on to play for six seasons in the NFL, five with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Please read through the mission of the site as well as the testimonials.  You are asked, if you are in support of the cause, to sign the online petition found by clicking the “Show Your Support” link.

The web address is www.jimthorperestinpeace.com

Each year, as part of the Red Ribbon Drug Free Celebration, students from across the State of Oklahoma submit original artwork and essays.  Students are asked to interpret the Red Ribbon theme.  This year’s theme was, “It’s Up to Me to be Drug Free!”

The Jim Thorpe Association would like to thank everyone who entered the contests, it was incredibly hard to decide.  Congratulations to the following winners.

Essay Contest:

Age Category: 8-10 years

1st Place: Michael Ly, Dove Science Academy
2nd Place: Jalen Grier, Dove Science Academy
3rd Place: Makayla Woosley, Eisenhower

Age Category: 11-13 years

1st Place: Lindsey Thompson, Leach Elementary
2nd Place: Natalee Karcher, Comanche Middle School
3rd Place: Kimberlyn Miller, Zion

Age Category: 14-16 years
1st Place: Tanner Ressel, Comanche Middle School
2nd Place: Amberly Proctor, Hanna
3rd Place: Holley McVicker, Moreland High School

Poster Contest:

Age Category: 5-7 years

1st Place: Claudia Smith, Northwood Elementary
2nd Place: Reagan Burton, Stoneridge Elementary

 Age Category: 8-10 years

Oklahoma City–LSU Junior cornerback, Morris Claiborne, has been named the 2011 Thorpe Award winner.  The Thorpe Award is given annually to the top defensive back in college football.  Claiborne is the second player from LSU to receive the award.  Patrick Peterson won the award in 2010.

Claiborne was second in the SEC with six (6) interceptions and led the nation in interception yards with 173.  He had 46 total tackles on the year, recording 28 solo tackles. The defensive leader on an LSU squad that ranked number two nationally in total defense.  In addition to his play on the defensive side of the ball, Claiborne was also a dangerous return man, recording 398 return yards on 14 kickoff returns this season, one for a touchdown.  He was second in the SEC  in average return yards with 26.1 yards per return.

Claiborne had a key interception in the Tiger’s 9-6 victory at Alabama on November 5, 2011 and recorded an interception for a touchdown in the SEC Championship game against Georgia on December 3, 2011.

Claiborne and Peterson mark the second time in Thorpe Award history when players from the same team won back-to-back awards.  The first time was with University of Texas’s Michael Huff  (’05) and Aaron Ross (’06).  This is the third year in a row that the award has been given to a player from the SEC (Eric Berry, Tennessee 2009; Patrick Peterson, LSU 2010 and Morris Claiborne, LSU 2011).

The other Thorpe Award finalists for 2011 were David Amerson, Soph. cornerback NC State and Mark Barron, Sr. safety Alabama.

The Thorpe Award will be presented at the Thorpe Award Banquet on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 in Oklahoma City at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.  The award, presented by the Jim Thorpe Association, debuted in 1986 and has become one of the most prestigious awards in college football.  The Thorpe Award will be celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary at this year’s banquet.  For information about tickets and sponsorships, please contact the Jim Thorpe Association at 405.427.1400 or info@jimthorpeassoc.org

David Amerson, Soph. North Carolina State: Leads the nation with 11 interceptions for the season and has one touchdown return from an interception.  He has had two interceptions in three different games: Liberty, Central Michigan, and Virginia.  Has 25 solo tackles, and 51 total tackles for the year and five passes defended.
Mark Barron, Sr. Alabama: Six-time Alabama Defensive Player of the Week.  Has 12 career interceptions that ranks eighth in Alabama history, with two this season.  On the season has 31 solo tackles and 52 total tackles, and five passes defended.  Named Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week following Penn State game.
Morris Claiborne, Jr. LSU: Tied for fourth in SEC in number of interceptions with four (4) and is second in the league in interception return yards with 128.  Has 24 solo tackles on the year and 40 total tackles, with four passes defended.  Also a kickoff return threat, has 14 returns on the year totaling 398 yards and one touchdown.

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, ncfaa.org.

The presentation of the Thorpe Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.  The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.  Fans can visit the show’s dedicated Web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights. 

The 25^th Anniversary Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 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 Teegins Award is presented annually to an outstanding sportscaster with Oklahoma ties. Prior to joining ESPN, Anderson was a sports reporter and weekend sports anchor at Tulsa’s KOTV from 1990 to 1996 and a sports photographer and reporter at Tulsa’s KTUL from 1988 to 1990. Anderson worked directly with the late Bill Teegins on Oklahoma City Blazers and Tulsa Oilers simulcasts in the mid-1990s.

Randy Cassimus, chair of the Teegins Award selection committee, said it will be a pleasure to present this year’s award to Anderson.

“John’s body of work and his character easily meet the criteria, and the fact that he and Bill actually had the opportunity to work together in Oklahoma makes the selection even more special. It’s wonderful that John’s talent has taken him to a national stage where so many more sports fans can appreciate him.”

The Teegins Award honors previous OSU men’s basketball play-by-play announcer Bill Teegins, who died tragically in a 2001 plane crash, along with 10 OSU basketball players and support personnel. Teegins donated many hours to the Oklahoma sports community as a volunteer and was inducted posthumously into the Oklahoma Sports of Fame in 2001 and the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2002.

“Clearly, I am honored to be chosen for the award, but I am humbled as well,” Anderson said. “I had the great pleasure of knowing and often working with Bill early in my career. There were lessons in excellence, professionalism and how to treat people in just watching him go about his job. To be linked to Bill through this award is truly special as was my time in Oklahoma as a young journalist.”

The Teegins Award will be presented to Anderson at the Warren Spahn Award Gala, hosted by Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Rotary Club and the Jim Thorpe Association. The gala will be held on January 26th at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame & Jim Thorpe Museum in Oklahoma City. Tickets are available now. Proceeds will benefit several local charities including Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Autism Walk, Red Ribbon Week, Christmas Connection and Alzheimer’s Walk.

Previous Teegins Award winners include Dave Hunziker, John Brooks, Bob Carpenter, Joe Simpson, Bob Barry Sr., Bobby Murcer, Curt Gowdy, Ross Porter, Bill Mercer and John Rooney.

In addition to the Teegins Award, the Warren Spahn Award will be presented at the gala to this year’s best left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. The 2011 Spahn Award winner is Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

For more information, visit OKCSpahnAwards.com. To purchase tickets, contact Bill Hickman at 405.605.2375 or hickman@hickmanlawgroup.com.

Oklahoma City—The Jim Thorpe Association announced today 15 semifinalists for the 2011 Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football.

Antonio Allen, South Carolina
David Amerson, North Carolina State
Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State
Mark Barron, Alabama
Brandon Boykin, Georgia
Brodrick Brown, Oklahoma State
Morris Claiborne, LSU
Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt
Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma
Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
Nigel Malone, Kansas State
Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State
T.J. McDonald, USC
Chase Minnifield, Virginia

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, ncfaa.org.

The presentation of the Thorpe Award  will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.  The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.  Fans can visit the show’s dedicated Web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.

The 25^th Anniversary Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 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.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OCTOBER 20, 2011—Warren Spahn Award organizers announced today that Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers is the 2011 Spahn Award winner.

The Spahn Award is presented annually to the best left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball and is based on a pitcher’s wins, strikeouts and earned run average. Kershaw led in all categories with 21 wins, 248 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA.

“It is a genuine honor to have my named mentioned alongside one of the greatest lefties in the history of the game,” Kershaw said. “Mr. Spahn accomplished so much both in baseball and in his life off the field. I am truly humbled by this award. Thank you.”

Greg Spahn, son of the late Warren Spahn, said this is the first time an award winner has placed first in every category since Randy Johnson won in the late 1990s.

“Congratulations to Clayton Kershaw on an incredible season, leading all lefties with a 2.28 ERA,” Spahn said. “In fact, he led in each category of the Warren Spahn Award, with the Dodgers a third place club in the National League West. I look forward to handing him the award.”

Sponsored by Farmers Insurance Group, the Spahn Award is named after Oklahoman and National Baseball Hall of Famer Warren Spahn, who holds the MLB record of 363 wins as a left-handed pitcher.

“Warren Spahn was most well-known for his record number of wins, so it’s appropriate that this year’s Spahn Award winner is also the Dodgers’ first 20-game winner in over two decades,” said Bill Hickman, chairman of the Warren Spahn Award board. “Congratulations to Mr. Kershaw on an outstanding season and on winning this prestigious award.”

Kershaw’s 2011 accomplishments also include being selected as the Dodgers’ Opening Day Starter, being selected to the National League squad for the MLB All-Star Game and being awarded the NL Player of the Month and NL pitching Triple Crown. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Kershaw was drafted by the Dodgers in 2006 and made his major league debut in 2008 as the youngest player in the league.

In its 13th year, the Spahn Award will be presented at the Warren Spahn Award Gala, hosted by Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Rotary Club and Jim Thorpe Association in January at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame & Jim Thorpe Museum.

Past Spahn Award winners include: David Price (2010); CC Sabathia (2007–2009); Johan Santana (2004, 2006); Dontrelle Willis (2005); Andy Pettitte (2003); and Randy Johnson (1999–2002). For more information, visit OKCSpahnAwards.com.

The Jim Thorpe Award 2011 watch list announced today includes 37 of the nation’s best defensive
backs, representing nine conferences and one independent.

The Thorpe Award, one of the most coveted awards in college football, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2011. The Award, established in 1986, is named after history’s greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.

The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compile a list of 30-40 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 8, 2011 on ESPN.
The 25th Anniversary Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 in Oklahoma City, OK.

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, ncfaa.org.

Read entire 2011 Thorpe Watch List Press Release

Download 2011 Jim Thorpe Watch List