Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. was named the recipient of the 2024 Armed Forces Merit Award last Monday during a mid-day Sports Center on ESPN.
The Armed Forces Merit Award was created in 2012, coordinated by the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl staff, “to honor an individual and/or a group with a military background or involvement that have an impact within the realm of college football.”
The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) presents this award annually.
Under Dr. Hawkins’ leadership, Troy’s service to the military has continued to grow through initiatives including the Troy for Troops Center, which was created to meet the needs unique to the military-affiliated student, and the Military and Family Scholarship for active-duty military or reserves and their family.
That commitment spans more than 75 years.
“I’m completely humbled to receive this award,” Dr. Hawkins said. “It was a great honor to serve our country.
“I know that freedom isn’t free, and I have great appreciation for those who serve and have served. For me to be even mentioned for an award like this is an honor and extremely humbling. Serving our country was a wonderful experience for me. There were certainly challenges, but I received far more from that experience than I gave.”
Others agree Hawkins is highly deserving of the award.
“Because of Dr. Hawkins’ visionary leadership, Troy University has an exemplary relationship with the United States Armed Forces and is a leader nationally in providing educational opportunities for our service members,” said Director of Athletics Brent Jones.
“On behalf of Troy Athletics, our fans, our staff and our student-athletes, I congratulate Dr. Hawkins on this well-deserved recognition for his lifelong devotion to our military.”
Serving the people of the United States Armed Forces has been Hawkins’ dedication for his entire adult life. This was first as a lieutenant and platoon leader in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War followed by serving as an advocate for military members at Troy and their families during his professional career as a higher education administrator.
Hawkins is a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient and a receiver of a citation from the Korean Marine Corps for his combat duty. He also oversaw Troy’s transition in the early 1990s to Division I competition.
He continues to serve on the College Football Playoff’s board of managers.
“From the first time I met Dr. Hawkins at a conference, I was impressed with his credentials and felt he was a worthy nominee for the award,” said Brant Ringler, executive director of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. “In this time of the changing dynamics in intercollegiate sports, Dr. Hawkins’ experienced leadership with all aspects of higher education has proven invaluable.
“He is the longest-serving chief executive officer of a public university in the United States, making his voice, thoughts and perspective invaluable as we move forward into a new landscape for college football and all intercollegiate athletics.”
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