United States Sports University

The United States Sports University is a private university focused on sports and located in Daphne, Alabama. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs as well as certificate programs. Founded in 1972, the academy has provided its sports programs to more than 60 countries around the world.

United States Sports University

Type	Private university
Established	1972
Academic affiliations	NAICU[1]
President	Steve Condon
Location	Daphne , Alabama , United States
Nickname	America's Sports University
Mascot	Sammy the Eagle
Website	www.ussa.edu

History

Thomas P. Rosandich founded the academy in 1972 in response to an inferior performance by the United States Olympic team in the 1972 Summer Olympics. Athletes were lacking quality coaching and training. The academy's programs served as an education resource to upgrade coaching through instruction, research, and service.

Steve Condon, an experienced chancellor, university president, collegiate athletics director, coach, professor, and leader in higher education, was named the third President and CEO of the United States Sports University in late 2022^[2]

The academy's campus is also home to the American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA), which was founded in 1984. The collection contains more than 1,000 works of sport art from world-renowned artists, many of whom have been honored by the academy as Sport Artist of the Year. The university also has an outdoor sculpture park on campus, which is dedicated to celebrating sport with the erection of numerous environmentally friendly sculptures.

The academy also hosts the Awards of Sport series, also known as its tribute to "The Artist and the Athlete". These awards honor sports figures for their accomplishments and achievements in such things as performance, humanitarian activities, fitness, and media.

On February 26, 2025, the Board of Trustees agreed to change the name of the academy to the United States Sports University, effective March 1. School officials stated that the name change reflects their dedication to academic excellence and their desire to establish their place in higher education.^[3]

Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award

The Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award^[4] is presented each year, for the preceding calendar year. It was first presented in 1985, for the 1984 sports year. Each recipient receives the USSA's Order of the Eagle Exemplar medal and Academy Rosette.^[5] For list of awardees through 2014, see footnote^[6]

There is also a separate Amos Alonzo Stagg Award presented by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Carl Maddox Sport Management Award

The Carl Maddox Sport Management Award is presented each year. It was first presented in 1991.^[7]

Notable alumni

• Aimee Buchanan, American-born Olympic figure skater for Israel
• Vicky Bullett, professional basketball player and coach, 1988 Olympic gold medalist
• Marco Cardinale, Italian sports scientist
• Mark Chay, Singaporean Olympic swimmer, sports executive and Nominated Member of the Parliament of Singapore
• Ed Comeau, Canadian lacrosse coach
• Lynn Conkwright, professional bodybuilder
• Steve Hawkins, college basketball coach
• Marcus Hilliard, college football coach
• Quentin Hillsman, college basketball coach
• Tony Hobson, college basketball coach
• Mike Leach, college football coach
• Dennis Lindsey, professional basketball executive
• Chad Lunsford, college football coach
• Noemi Lung Zaharia, Romanian swimmer, 1988 Olympic silver medalist
• Scott Maxfield, college football coach
• Ernie McCook, college football coach
• Greg McDermott, college basketball coach
• Michael Nakazawa, Japanese professional wrestler
• Conor O'Shea, Irish rugby union player and coach
• LaTanya Sheffield, Olympic hurdler
• Jessie Tompkins, track and field athlete
• Frank Turner, college football coach