Nov. 8, 2008

AUBURN, Ala. - Samford head football coach and former Auburn football player Pat Sullivan has been named the winner of the 2008 Walter Gilbert Award, the Auburn athletics department announced Friday. The award will be presented to members of Sullivan's family at halftime of Auburn's Homecoming game against Tennessee-Martin Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The Walter Gilbert Award is given annually to former Auburn athletes who have distinguished themselves through achievements after graduation from Auburn. The award is given in memory of the Tigers' three-time All-America center Walter Gilbert, who later became vice president of Texaco's European Oil Operations.

"I want to thank the Athletic Committee and Auburn University for this prestigious award," Sullivan said. "It is a tremendous honor for my name to be associated with Mr. Walter Gilbert, along with all the distinguished people that were honored before me. Since Jean and I are unable to attend the game, I am proud to have my mother, children and grandchildren in Auburn to accept this award on my behalf."

A native of Birmingham, Sullivan was a quarterback at Auburn from 1968-71, where he became the school's first Heisman Trophy winner in 1971.

In addition to winning the Heisman Trophy, he was named an All-American and the SEC Player of the Year in 1970 and 1971. He helped lead Auburn to three post-season bowl appearances and was named the MVP of the 1970 Gator Bowl and the 1971 Sugar Bowl.

A 1972 graduate of Auburn, Sullivan was a three-year starter where he amassed several school passing records, departing Auburn as the school's all-time leader in passing yards (6,284), touchdown passes (53), touchdowns responsible for (71), completions (452), attempts (819) and total offense (6,843).

Upon completion of his Auburn career, Sullivan was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1972 NFL Draft. He played professional for five seasons with the Falcons, Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers.

In his 23rd year as a college football coach, Sullivan is currently in his second season as head coach at Samford University in Birmingham.

"Pat Sullivan is an iconic figure at Auburn and has been a tremendous ambassador for this university and athletics department for nearly 40 years," said Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs. "Pat is one of this institution's all-time greatest athletes, yet more importantly he is an outstanding coach, husband, father and friend. His ability to overcome obstacles and the character and integrity with which he lives every day make him a truly deserving recipient of the Walter Gilbert Award."

Prior to his arrival at Samford, Sullivan served on the coaching staff at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) from 1999-2006 where he was the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator from 1999-2005. He served as the assistant head coach and running backs coach in 2006.

Sullivan was the head coach at Texas Christian University from 1992-97 where he helped lead the Horned Frogs to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 42 years with records of 7-5 in 1994 and 6-5 in 1995. The 58-year-old was named the 1994 Southwest Conference Coach of the Year and also earned the Top Newcomer Award from American Football Quarterly in 1995.

Before becoming head coach at TCU, Sullivan spent six seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Auburn University. Sullivan coached the quarterbacks at Auburn while helping Auburn win three Southeastern Conference championships (1987, '88, '89) and post an overall record of 52-16-3.

Sullivan is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sullivan and his wife, Jean, have three children, daughter Kim, and twins Kelly and Patrick. The couple also has seven grandchildren, Alex, Jay, Mallory, Joseph, Taylor, Lucy and John Michael.

Sullivan is the 28th recipient of the Walter Gilbert Award.