INDIANAPOLIS, April 19, 2015 – Ohio State University’s Ezekiel Elliott won the 2015 Amateur Athletic Union Sullivan Award, which honors the most outstanding United States amateur athlete. Simone Biles of Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, was one of the six finalists selected for their athletic accomplishments and demonstration of premier leadership, character and sportsmanship. The winner was announced today at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
In addition to Elliott and Biles, the other finalists were Shawn Barber (pole vault), Meryl Davis & Charlie White (figure skating), Katie Ledecky (swimming), and Jahlil Okafor (college basketball).
In its 85th year, the award is a salute to AAU founder and amateur sports pioneer, James E. Sullivan.
Three gymnasts have won the prestigious award: Kurt Thomas, Paul Hamm and Shawn Johnson. The list of previous winners also includes: Bobby Jones (1930), Doc Blanchard (1945), Wilma Rudolph (1961), Bill Bradley (1965), Mark Spitz (1970), Bill Walton (1973), Bruce Jenner (1976), Carl Lewis (1981), Joan Benoit (1985), Janet Evans (1989), Peyton Manning (1997), Michael Phelps (2003), Tim Tebow (2007), and Missy Franklin (2012).
