Awards
Each year, the Endowment honors individuals and groups whose achievements reflect the Olympic and Paralympic ideals, advancing sport, promoting inclusion, inspiring communities, and strengthening the spirit of teamwork, perseverance, and fair play.
2025 George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award
Rich Bender
The George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award honors individuals who have made sustained and meaningful contributions to sports within the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Recipients of this award demonstrate exceptional communication and leadership skills that personify excellence, advancing sport at both the national and international levels.
Rich Bender – George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award
He began his career with USA Wrestling as an intern in 1988 and has served as Executive Director since 2001, leading the organization through one of its most successful eras. Under his guidance, Team USA has earned 33 Olympic and 148 World Championship medals, including the nation’s first women’s Olympic champion in 2016, the first Greco-Roman World team title in 2007, and freestyle team titles in 2017, 2022, and 2023.
Bender has overseen record membership growth to more than 370,000 members while ensuring USA Wrestling’s financial strength and debt-free status. His advocacy helped secure women’s wrestling a permanent place in the Olympic Games and expanded opportunities nationwide. He also led the global effort to preserve wrestling’s Olympic status in 2013 and continues to shape the sport internationally through United World Wrestling.
Past Steinbrenner Award Recipients
- Walter L. Bush, Jr., Ice hockey
- Alan Rothenberg, Soccer
- Kirk Bauer, Disabled Sports
- Carol Zaleski, Swimming
- Tom Gompf, Diving
- Thomas W. Weisel, Skiing – Cycling
- Pat Summitt & Ann Cody
- George E. Killian, FIBA – NJCAA – FISU
- Marta & Bela Karolyi
- 1998 Women’s Ice Hockey Team
- James T. Morris, United States Olympic Committee
- 1992 Men’s Basketball Team
- Peggy Fleming Jenkins, Figure Skating
- Anita DeFrantz, IOC and USOPC
- Dara Torres, Swimming
- Peter Westbrook, Fencing
- Dale Neuburger, Aquatic Sports
- Cindy Parlow Cone and Brad Snyder
- Rich Bender
2025 William. E Simon Award
Tatyana McFadden, Greg Louganis
The William E. Simon Award recognizes individuals who have advanced the ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic movements through their sustained actions and exemplary deeds. Honorees embody the spirit of the Olympic Creed: “The important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well.” Through their character and integrity, they have set a powerful example for others.
Tatyana McFadden – William E. Simon Award Winner
America’s most decorated track and field Paralympian, with 22 Paralympic medals, 20 World Championship medals, and 24 major marathon victories. She made history as the first—and still only—athlete to win the Grand Slam of World Marathon Majors, capturing Boston, London, Chicago, and New York in a single year, a feat she repeated four times.
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, with spina bifida, McFadden was adopted by Deborah McFadden, then U.S. Commissioner of Disabilities, and discovered wheelchair racing after moving to the U.S. Her landmark lawsuit to compete alongside her high school teammates transformed athletics for students with disabilities. Today, she is an elite athlete, advocate, author, and producer dedicated to inclusion and opportunity in sport.
Greg Louganis – William E. Simon Award Winner
Widely regarded as the greatest diver in history, Greg Louganis redefined courage and excellence both in and out of the pool. A five-time Olympic medalist, he remains the only man ever to win both springboard and platform gold at consecutive Olympic Games. His 1988 comeback after striking his head on the diving board is remembered as one of the most inspiring moments in Olympic history.
Beyond competition, Louganis is an acclaimed author, speaker, actor, and humanitarian. His autobiography Breaking the Surface inspired millions when he came out as gay and HIV positive in 1995. Today, he continues to champion HIV and AIDS awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, and inclusion, embodying resilience and authenticity.
Past Simon Award Recipients
- Daniel L. Doctoroff & Patrick G. Ryan
- Henry A. Kissinger
- Peter V. Ueberroth
- Edwin C. Moses
- Scott Hamilton
- 1980 U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team
- Donna de Varona
- Michelle Kwan
- Eric Heiden
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee
- Bob Beamon
- Paul George
- Mary Lou Retton
- Tara Lipinski & Johnny Weir
- Tatyana McFadden & Greg Louganis
2025 General Douglas MacArthur Exemplary Service Award
Dr. Sean McCann
The General Douglas MacArthur Exemplary Service Award honors individuals whose exemplary service has had a lasting and positive impact on the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, as well as on Olympians and Paralympians. Recipients have demonstrated prolonged dedication that has enhanced the recognition and reputation of the Committee and its athletes.
Dr. Sean McCann General MacArthur Award Winner
Dr. Sean McCann has served the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee for more than 34 years as a sport and clinical psychologist, supporting athletes and coaches at 16 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2025, he became Lead Psychological Services Provider – Coaching, introducing dedicated psychological services for national team coaches.
A leader in performance psychology, Dr. McCann has helped thousands of athletes perform under pressure while emphasizing mental wellness and holistic development. A former president of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, he has received multiple honors for his contributions and continues to advance mental health and performance excellence across the Olympic movement.
Past McArthur Award Recipients
- Marty Glickman & Sam Stoller
- William E. Simon & John Krimsky, Jr.
- George Steinbrenner III and William J. Hybl
- Dr. Henry Kissinger
- Mike Moran
- William Martin
- Gordon “Gordy” Crawford
- Bob Costas
- Steve Sobel
- Melissa Stockwell
- David O’Connor
- Cindy Stinger
- Bruce Baumgartner
- Dr. David Weinstein
- Dr. Sean McCann
2025 William J. Hybl Paralympic Contributor Award
Dr. Cheri Blauwet
The William J Hybl Award honors individuals whose exemplary and prolonged service has made a significant positive impact on the United States Paralympic movement. Recipients of this award have contributed to the recognition of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee and its athletes through dedication and leadership, reflecting the very best of the Paralympic spirit.
Dr. Cheri Blauwet – William J. Hybl Paralympic Contributor Award
Paralympic gold medalist, physician executive, and global leader in health equity. A seven-time Paralympic medalist and two-time winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons, she now serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Associate Professor at Northwestern University.
Her work bridges sport, medicine, and advocacy, focusing on health promotion and inclusion for people with disabilities. Named to Forbes’ inaugural “Accessibility 100,” she also chairs the Boston Athletic Association Board and serves on the medical commissions of the IOC and IPC. Dr. Blauwet’s leadership has expanded opportunities for Paralympic athletes and advanced global inclusion through sport.
Past Hybl Recipients
2025 is the inaugural year for the William J. Hybl award. We look forward to adding more names to this list at a later date.