DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD
The Distinguished Citizen Award is a time-honored tradition of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. For more than 30 years, the Bowl has recognized some of America's most prominent citizens. The award has been presented to a cross-section of Americans from a wide range of professions, including military commanders, governors, and congressmen, as well as leaders in business, medicine, education, entertainment and sports.
LIST OF PREVIOUS WINNERS
|
2017 Tim McCarver St. Louis Cardinals and National Baseball Hall of Famer
2016 Archie Manning Ole Miss legend, College Football Hall of Famer 1968 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Champion |
|
2015 Dick Vitale Legendary College Basketball Analyst and Hall of Famer |
|
2014 Bill Dance Hall of Fame Fisherman |
|
2013 Darrell Waltrip NASCAR Hall of Famer |
|
2012 Lee Corso Coach & College Football Analyst
|
|
2011 Lou Holtz Legendary Coach |
|
2010 Bobby Bowden Legendary Coach |
|
2009 Tony Dungy Super Bowl winning NFL Coach |
|
2008 Kenneth E. Tovo Brigadier General, U.S. Army |
|
2007 Dr. Robert C. Khayat Chancellor, University of Mississippi |
|
2006 Phil Bredesen Tennessee Governor |
|
2005 Ambrose F."Bud" Dudley Liberty Bowl Founder |
|
2004 Frederick W. Smith CEO, FedEx Corporation |
|
2003 The Danny Thomas Family St. Jude Children's Research Hospital |
|
2002 Pitt Hyde AutoZone Founder |
|
2001 New York City Police Officers, Firefighters & Emergency Workers |
|
2000 Franco Harris NFL Hall of Famer/ Running back, Pittsburgh Steelers |
|
1999 Dr. Tom Osborne Legendary Coach, Nebraska/ Former U.S. Congressman |
|
1998 William B."Billy" Dunavant, Jr. Business and Sports Entrepreneur |
| 1997
G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery U.S. Congressman |
| 1996
Dr. Peter Doherty Nobel Prize Recipient |
| 1995
Rochelle Stevens Olympic Gold Medal Winner |
| 1994
Johnny Majors Legendary Coach |
| 1993
Dr. Adrian Rogers Pastor |
| 1992
Charles M. Neinas Athletic Administrator |
| 1991
Jerry Clower Entertainer |
|
1990 Alan C. Page Professional Athlete/Judge |
|
1989 Chris Schenkel Sports Broadcaster |
| 1988
Lindsey Nelson Sports Broadcaster |
| 1987
Walter Byers Executive Director NCAA |
| 1986
Fred Russell Sports Writer |
| 1985
Kemmons Wilson Founder of Holiday Inn |
| 1984
William Lawrence Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy |
|
1983 William Simon Former U.S. Secretary of Treasury |
|
1982 Eddie Robinson Legendary Coach, Grambling |
|
1981 Marguerite Piazza Entertainer |
|
1980 Pearl Bailey Entertainer |
|
1979 Danny Thomas Founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital |
|
1978 Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson & Larry Newman Explorers |
|
1977 Elvis Presley Entertainer |
|
1976 Roone Arledge President, ABC Sports |
|
1975 John McKay Legendary Coach |
|
1974 Paul "Bear" Bryant Legendary Coach, Alabama |
|
1973 John A. Dramesi Lt. Col., U.S. Air Force |
|
1972 Frank Leahy Legendary Coach |
