Release

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University head football coach John Gagliardi was named as one of 20 living honorees by the Institute for International Sport for its 20th annual National Sportsmanship Day this Tuesday, March 1.

A team of Institute staff members and outside consultants worked to select 20 living Americans, 20 deceased Americans and 20 American organizations and/or initiatives that have made significant contributions to the practice of fair play and have enhanced the national consciousness regarding the central importance of sportsmanship.

Other notable names listed along with Gagliardi include Tony Dungy, Billie Jean King, Stan Musial, Jack Nicklaus and Cal Ripken, Jr. Deceased notables include Arthur Ashe, Paul “Bear” Bryant, Lou Gehrig, James Naismith and John Wooden.

National Sportsmanship Day was launched in 1991 by Institute Founder and Executive Director Dan Doyle with the objective of engaging athletes and other community members in thoughtful discussions about the concepts of sportsmanship and fair play. On March 1, thousands of schools, universities, teams, conferences and associations throughout the United States will participate in this worthy initiative.

SJU ended the 2010 season with a 6-2 record in the MIAC and a 7-3 overall record. The third-place finish in the conference is the lowest since 1997. Gagliardi completed his 62nd season with a 478-129-11 (.782) career record and a 454-123-10 (.782) record in 58 seasons at SJU.