United States Sports Academy Honors Sargent Shriver

3 February 2004

Sargent Shriver, right, is joined by his wife Eunice Kennedy Shriver and son Timothy P. Shriver in posing with Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich shortly after receiving the Eagle Award. [Photo by Diana Roday Hosford] The United States Sports Academy presented Special Olympics Chairman of the Board Emeritus Sargent Shriver with its prestigious Eagle Award on Tuesday, 3 February 2003. Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, President and CEO of the Sports Academy, traveled to Special Olympics headquarters in Washington, D.C., USA, to personally honor Shriver. The award is one of the Medallion Series Awards, part of the Sports Academy's Awards of Sport program. The Eagle Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the world of sport. It recognizes an individual's contributions in promoting harmony, peace and goodwill through the effective use of sport. The Eagle award presented to Sargent Shriver is one of the Medallion Series Awards and is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the world of sport. It recognizes an individual's contributions in promoting harmony, peace and goodwill through the effective use of sport. "The Academy is pleased to announce that Sargent Shriver is the recipient of this year's Eagle Award," said Dr. Rosandich. "Sargent Shriver has compiled an unparalleled record of public service as an ambassador and advocate for the poor and powerless. In the world of sport, he has strengthened a program which provides competition to those who would otherwise have little or no opportunity to participate, which is the defining principle of the award itself." The headquarters staff of Special Olympics gathered for the tribute to Shriver, who said, "I am honored to accept the Eagle Award from the United States Sports Academy, which recognizes that sports can promote harmony, peace and goodwill. These goals also are truly, I believe, an accurate description of Special Olympics. So, on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of dedicated Special Olympics athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents and staff around the world, I thank you. Each and every one of you! Sargent Shriver thanks Reneé Dease for her poem commemorating his Eagle Award presentation. She is known throughout the office for her celebratory poems as well as other writing talents — Are You A Healthy Athlete? was authored by Dease and Kester Edwards, both former Special Olympics athletes currently employed by Special Olympics at the movement's Washington, D.C., headquarters. [Photo by Diana Roday Hosford] "To Mr. Shriver — Our Universal Hero"           by Renee Dease      Mr. Shriver, your family, friends, Special Olympics, and Kennedy Foundation family is so happy to share this celebration with you today.       The reason that we honor you with this prestigious award — Mr. Shriver, in such a special way you've touched the hearts of many people in many outstanding ways       Throughout the world and through your career, you have given a "Universal love"       Mr. Shriver, your love for people all around the world, is what makes this presentation so well deserved       Rather talking of Peace Corps, Job Corps,      Even been an Ambassador      A great political career      Have been our president of Special Olympics      This award is well meant.       For Mr. Shriver, the close of this poem is to open to say, Thank Mr. Shriver; you have touched all our lives in a special way       Mr. Shriver, you give us a "Universal love, Thank you Mr. Shriver for sharing a remarkable career, a beautiful family, and so much love. "It has been my joy and privilege to participate in the Special Olympics Movement, from its very first days to its glorious, multi-national days, worldwide! Also, I am happy to express my great admiration for my wife, who is here today. [Shriver is married to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Founder and Honorary Chairman of Special Olympics and the Executive Vice President of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation.] Through Eunice's vision, her courage and her determination, the world has learned what persons with mental retardation can do. And my son, Timothy Shriver, the Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics, believes that the empowerment of the world's 170 million people with intellectual disabilities is exactly what social justice and true freedom is all about. Everyone is accepted, everyone is appreciated, everyone works together for the betterment of society everywhere. Those are the goals that have been established for Special Olympics in the 21st century." Shriver pointed out the success of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games, where 7,000 Athletes from 150 countries participated. "Fifty-two languages were spoken at those Games. Athletes from Afghanistan, Palestine and Iraq competed, and all of the countries of the Middle East and North Africa were represented. All of these people, from all of these nations participated in our World Games in Ireland, where representatives from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland worked together as if they were one body to stage these Games." Shriver closed his remarks by noting, "Special Olympics truly involves human beings of all races, all languages, all religions, all nationalities, all ages, all colors, and all mental and moral beliefs. And, may we always remember the words several years ago of the Minister Counselor of the Soviet Embassy, Alexander Potemkin, when he said, 'Special Olympics will assist us all — East and West, and North and South — to synchronize our moral compasses.'" In 1984, Shriver was elected President of Special Olympics where he directed the operation and international development of sports programs worldwide. In 1990, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of the organization where he served until 2003, when he was chosen to be Chairman of the Board Emeritus of the group.       < bio of Sargent Shriver > The United States Sports Academy, known as "America's Graduate School of Sport," is an independent, nonprofit graduate school that offers sport-specific programs to students, teachers and administrators around the world. Located in Daphne, Alabama, USA, the Academy has a special mission to serve the sports industry as a resource in instruction, research, and other vital sports-related services. It is the only free-standing institution of higher learning in the United States offering master's and doctoral degrees in Sports Science and Sports Management, in addition to its extensive certification programs.