Alumni Awards

A U.S. Marine veteran and 2002 Team USA Sled Hockey Gold Medalist, Pat Sapp was the first ever athlete to receive the DFL award. Sapp and his teammates were inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2022, they became the first Paralympic team in the Hall of Fame. Over the years Pat’s dedication to the Olympic and Paralympic values have shown in his community and interaction with Team USA peers. 

Pat McCormick, four-time gold medalist, swept the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform diving events at the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games and Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games (just five months after having her first child), the first to accomplish that feat twice. McCormick is itched in seven major Hall of Fames for her athletic career and humanitarianism. McCormick worked on the 1984 Los Angeles Organizing Committee and started the Pat McCormick Educational Foundation, while also staying connected to peers and furthering the movement to the next generation. 

A 1972 Olympian, Elder learned luge in the early 1960s when he was in the US Army (1962-66) and stationed near Garmisch, Germany. He competed at the World Championships in 1965, 1967, 1970, and 1971. In 1984 he co-founded and became President of Oregon Sports Action, a group that investigated the possibility of bringing an Olympic Winter Games to Oregon. Elder was Inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Museum in 2010.

A 1968 gold medalist, Bill Toomey defied the odds, Toomey suffered a childhood injury that limited functionality in his right (throwing) hand, and Toomey still prevailed setting an Olympic record in the decathlon. “Ten is my favorite number,” he said. “Ten letters in my name. Born on January 10. Always wore number 10 as a ballplayer. It had to be the decathlon.” Toomey was inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame in 1984. 

A 1968 Olympian, Holmes served as the team captain at the Mexico City Games. Holmes was a lifelong contributor to the Olympic movement as a gymnastic athlete and coach. Holmes gave back to young people, helping them n their journeys as athletes. She served as a delegate on the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee for over 25 years. She also founded the Washington State Olympics Alumni in 1977 and was president of the chapter for over 30 years.

Two-time Olympian, Tina Noyes spent her life dedicated to the sport of figure skating. A published author, continued to skate with Ice Capades in the 1970s, and for the past 40 years, she has coached figure skaters, synchronized skaters and hockey players. In 2025, Tina was inducted in the Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

A 1968 Modern Pentathlon Olympian, Tom Lough attended the US Military Academy, graduating in 1964. While there he competed on the intramural triathlon team, which then encompassed running, swimming, and shooting. He also trained at West Point in fencing, which set him up well for the modern pentathlon. From 1978-83 he studied physics at the University of Virginia, and then taught physics for five years at a local community college. Lough then worked for the LEGO Company in an educational position, helping develop science, technology, and robotics LEGO sets for schools. 

A 1960 Olympic gold medalist in the 4 x 100-meter medley relay and a pioneering leader in women’s sports. In 1996, she co-founded the American Basketball League, the first professional women’s basketball league in the United States. Throughout her career, she has held numerous leadership and advisory roles across the sports industry, while also serving as a lecturer at several universities. Her lasting contributions to athletics and community leadership have earned her induction into multiple halls of fame.

A 1976 Olympian, competing in weightlifting - Walker competed at the 1972 and 1980 Olympic Trials in the shot put, in 1972 and in 1980. He attended Southern Methodist University, graduating in 1973 with a degree in business. Walker made the 1976 US Olympic weightlifting team by placing second at the AAU meet, where he recorded his career bests of 152.5 kg in the snatch, 210.0 kg in the clean & jerk, and a total of 362.5 kg. Walker has been an active member of USOPA and USOPA Chapter President for the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter.

A 1960 Track and Field Olympian, Young took gold home in the 4 x 400 meters Relay. In 2011, Earl Young faced the life-changing news of being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Young became the catalyst for founding Earl Young’s Team, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about blood cancer and the importance of donors. In 2025, Young received the Outlive Your Life Award presented by Abilene Christian University. 

A four-time gold and one-time silver medalist, Naber was Team USA’s most decorated athlete at the 1976 Olympic Games and went on to build a career as a broadcaster, author, and speaker while serving in key leadership roles within USOPA; his contributions have been recognized with induction into multiple halls of fame, including the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic and International Swimming Halls of Fame.

A two-time Olympian and three-time gold medalist, competing at just 13 years old at the 1960 Rome Games, where she won gold in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay. She went on to break barriers as the first woman to cover sports on network television and later served as Vice President of ABC Sports. A leader in advancing women’s sports, she co-founded the Women’s Sports Foundation and has been inducted into multiple halls of fame for her lasting impact.

Current USOPA President, earning three All-American honors while competing for the University of Houston and capturing three gold medals as part of the U.S. 4×100m relay team at the World University Games. She also represented the United States as a member of the 4×100m relay team at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984. Her leadership within USOPA has been distinguished, serving as president of the Houston chapter from 2014 to 2024 before being elected national president. Jackie’s career reflects both athletic excellence, a deep commitment to service and leadership in the Olympian and Paralympian community.  

A 1984 Olympian in team handball, served on the board of directors of the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association (USOPA) for eight years, leading one of its most active chapters (representing New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut). Established by USOPA in 2011, this award recognizes an individual or a program associated with a U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Chapter that demonstrates the special spirit of Olympism, has illustrated the Olympic and Paralympic ideals through his or her actions, or has rendered outstanding services to the Olympic and Paralympic cause.