Prominent Alumni

The United States Sports University proudly honors its most exceptional alumni with the Alumni of the Year Award. This award recognizes alumni who embody the ideals of sport and the University’s values. 

Recipients span the spectrum of the sports profession: coaches, athletic directors, administrators, athletes, military leaders, faculty members, researchers, entrepreneurs, media personalities, and more.

2023 Alumna of the Year

Dr. Monique Carroll, Class of 2012

Dr. Monique Carroll is the University’s 2023 Alumnus of the Year! Dr. Carroll earned her Master of Sports Science in Sports Management degree from the University in 2012. 

Dr. Carroll is the director of intercollegiate athletics at Chicago State University, where she oversees 15 NCAA Division I sports programs and serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet.  She joined the Cougars on September 1, 2022 after serving as the athletic director at Huston-Tillotson University since March 2020. 

Previous Winners

2021 – Greg Walker, head coach US Men’s Sitting Volleyball National Team and Smith College volleyball
2020 – Dr. Kristene Kelly, Vanderbilt University deputy athletic director for internal affairs and senior woman administrator

2019 – Byron Cunningham, director of rehabilitation for the Los Angeles Rams
2018 – Scott Novack, Program Operations Manager for the USA Rugby Men’s Eagles Sevens
2017 – Dr. Dave Shrock, USA Track & Field Leader and University National Faculty Member
2016 – Ms. LaTanya Sheffield, Assistant Women’s Coach for USA Track and Field, 2016 Rio Olympic Games
2015 – CDR David Peterson, Ed.D., Executive Officer of the Physical Education Department, United States Naval University
2014 – Dr. Bonnie Tiell, Distinguished Sports Educator and Researcher
2013 – Greg McDermott, Men’s Head Basketball Coach, Creighton University
2012 – Dr. Mark Janas, Inventor, Business Developer and Managing Partner of In3 Inc
2011 – China Jude, Assistant Vice President of Athletics, Queens College at the City University of New York
2010 – Mike Vollmar, Associate Athletic Director for Football, University of Alabama

2009 – James Vilade, Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach, University of Texas at Tyler
2008 – Ron Laird, Commissioner, Wyoming High School Activities Association and President, National Federation of State High School Associations
2007 – Lynn Wheeler, Associate AD, University of Texas
2006 – Linda Moore, Senior Director of Business Administration, ESPN
2005 – Terry Waldrop, Head Basketball Coach, Texas Wesleyan
2004 – Dennis Lindsey
2003 – Scot E. Long
2002 – Mike Leach
2001 – Dr. Fred Cromartie
2000 – Dr. Robert Dean Boyd

1999 – Marc Riker
1998 – Essa Ahmad Al-Jowder
1997 – Dr. T.J. Rosandich
1996 – “Pat” Tan Eng Yoon
1995 – John Zinda, Jr.
1994 – Michael K. Behymer
1993 – Mark Tommaksen
1992 – S.S. Dhillion
1991 – Tom Lewis
1990 – Ebie Taylor Strauss

1989 – Lieutenant Colonel Lionel Lee, M.D.
1988 – David J. Essel

Nominate a USSU graduate

Recommend a USSU graduate for alum of the year by emailing [email protected].