COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - On Friday (Sept. 24), the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) presented George E. Killian with the Olympic Torch award, recognizing his meaningful impact on the U.S. Olympic Movement. Killian, a past member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and past USOC board member, was honored during a dinner at the 2010 U.S. Olympic Assembly in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Olympic Torch Award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding service to the U.S. Olympic Movement. The recipient has made a positive impact on the Olympic Movement in the United States and has made many contributions to promoting the Olympic Ideals throughout the country.
"George Killian has made a lifelong commitment to sport, and that dedication has been exemplified through his service to the Olympic Movement both here in the United States and throughout the world," Scott Blackmun, USOC Chief Executive Officer, said. "His influence on amateur sport in the U.S. has helped so many athletes reach new heights, and his work internationally has lead to the success of sport events year after year. His impact on Olympic sport will be evident forever."
Killian, 87, spent much of his career as the first executive director of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) from 1969-2004. Under his leadership, the NJCAA grew to become the primary governance body for junior and community college athletics in the country, and he was instrumental in creating the first collegiate women's basketball division in 1975.
During his time at the NJCAA, he became involved with the International University Sports Federation (FISU), and he currently serves as FISU president, a position he has held since 1999. He was largely responsible for Buffalo, N.Y., becoming the first U.S. city to host the World University Games in 1993.
A former high school and junior college basketball coach, Killian has been a member of numerous USA Basketball committees, was past president of the organization (1976-80, then ABAUSA) and was on the USA Basketball board of directors. On the international basketball level, he first became a member of the International Basketball Federation's (FIBA) central board in 1980 and held several other positions. He was the FIBA president from 1990-98 and is currently the federation's honorary president.
Killian served on the USOC board of directors from 1967-2003, and he was a member of the IOC from 1996-98. In 1996, he was bestowed the Olympic Order, the highest honor awarded by the IOC. He was also active with several U.S. National Governing Bodies. In addition to his work with USA Basketball, he was a member of the board of the U.S. Gymnastics Federation and the U.S. Wrestling Federation; and he was Chef de Mission for Team USA at the World University Games in 1970, '72 and '75.
Born in Valley Stream, N.Y., Killian has lived for many years in Colorado Springs, Colo. He received his bachelor's degree in education from Ohio Northern University in 1949 and his master's in education from the University of Buffalo in 1954. He also received an honorary Ph.D. in public service from Ohio Northern University in 1989. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-45, and he coached basketball at Wharton High School and Erie Community College before joining the NJCAA.
Earlier this month, he was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, the Basketball Hall of Fame of the National Junior College Athletic Association, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, and the Erie Community College Hall of Fame, among others; and many awards have been established in his honor.
Killian was honored during a dinner on Friday, Sept. 24, as part of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Assembly. The annual Assembly is taking place in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the Antlers Hilton hotel from Sept. 23-25 with more than 500 participants. Through this year's theme of "One Team," the Assembly engages the various members of the U.S. Olympic Family in meetings, workshops and presentations with a focus on fostering communication, cooperation and developing new initiatives.
OLYMPIC TORCH AWARD RECIPIENTS
1965 Avery Brundage, USOC President (1928-53)
1966 Kenneth L. Wilson, USOC President (1953-65)
1966 Asa S. Bushnell, USOC Officer
1966 R. Max Ritter, USOC Officer
1969 Douglas F. Roby, USOC President (1965-69)
1969 T. Nelson Metcalf, USOC Executive Board
1973 Clifford H. Buck, USOC President (1970-73)
1974 William E. Simon, USOC President (1981-85)
1977 Gerald Ford, U.S. President
1977 Philip O. Krumm, USOC President (1973-77)
1981 Robert J. Kane, USOC President (1977-81)
1985 Col. F. Don Miller, USOC Executive Director (1973-85)
1989 Edward J. Derwinski, Secretary-designate of Veterans Affairs
1990 Baaron Pittenger, USOC Executive Director
1996 Bonnie Blair, U.S. Olympic speedskating champion (1988, '92, '94)
2000 Bud Greenspan, Olympic film-maker
2000 Dr. Evie G. Dennis, USOC Officer
2010 George E. Killian, USOC Board of Directors (1967-2003)
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