Learn more about the Black Lion Award (Opens New Window)
Motivational: K-State Football and the Black Lions
Don Holleder was an All-American defensive end for Army as a junior in1954. The next season, legendary Army coach Earl "Red"Blaik asked Holleder to switch to quarterback. Though this meant forgoing any chance at national recognition for Holleder, he made the switch because it would help the team win.
Holleder led Army to a victory over Navy the following year, landing Holleder on the cover of Sports Illustrated. His sacrifice of individual honors for the sake of the team represents the ideal example of courage, leadership and unselfishness.
In 1967, Holleder was cut down by a snipers bullet in Vietnam while attempting to rescue wounded comrades. 57 other members of the 28th Infantry - the Black Lions - were killed that day. To the end, Don Holleder continued to sacrifice himself for the sake of others. It is in his honor that the Black Lion Award was created in 2001, and today is presented each year to those players representing Hollder's character: leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and - above all - an unselfish concern for the team ahead of himself.
