The ARA Sportsmanship Award is presented annually to a Division I college football player who exemplifies sportsmanship both on and off the field. The selection of the winner will be made by a blue-ribbon panel comprised of retired coaches, ARA executives and members of the media who cover college sports. The first award winner, announced in December 2005, was University of Memphis Running Back DeAngelo Williams. The 2006 winner was Fullback Brian Leonard of Rutgers University.
The genesis of the award lies in the work of sculptor Edward Jonas, who created a piece designed to represent sportsmanship. A benefactress saw the statue and decided to look for the right organization to promote sportsmanship by presenting a replica of the statue. There was a natural fit with the Awards and Recognition Association, as its members are experts in the area of recognition.
ARA is pleased to be the official sponsor of an award that serves as an inspiration to young men everywhere who aspire to the highest levels of sportsmanship and athleticism.
