Army’s Clint Moore’s Sullivan Award Experience

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FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

NEW YORK, N.Y. – An autograph and photograph session, some sightseeing, putting the final touches on a Sociology paper, luncheon with the nominees, interviews with media and center stage were all a part of Army baseball player Clint Moore’s Wednesday.

One of just six finalist for the prestigious AAU Sullivan Award, Moore was given the royal treatment, capping his evening at the New York Athletic Club, overlooking Central Park, with the Sullivan Award Reception and Presentation.

 

While Moore didn’t win the award – paralympic ultra marathon runner Amy Palmeiero-Winters was presented the trophy – it was a great experience for the junior from Greensboro, N.C.

“It’s been a big blur, the last two days have gone by so fast,” said Moore. “The atmosphere here was just unbelievable. The history of the New York Athletic Club is just tremendous. This whole experience has been unreal to me.”

His parents Sharon and Kevan and sister Megan spent most of the day with Clint, as did two of his uncles and his girlfriend, Melissa. They were joined at the dinner by Athletics Director Kevin Anderson, Senior Associate Athletic Director Bob Beretta, head baseball coach Joe Sottolano, Army baseball’s Head Office Representative Col. Tim Trainor and Director of Annual Giving Chris Kingston.

“I am so thankful for the support of my family, my friends, my coaches, my teammates and everyone at West Point,” said Moore. “My family has always been right there besides me and having them with me was really special. And the support of the staff at West Point has been just unbelievable. There was also a lot of support from the folks from the AAU. They were very supportive of West Point and what it stands for.

“This was unbelievable time,” continued Moore. “Just to be nominated from all the great athletes around the country is remarkable. It is such a good feeling to represent West Point and everything it stands for. It was nice to be able to show what a great place the Academy is.”

Known as the "Oscar" of sports awards, and older than The Heisman Trophy, the AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.

The AAU Sullivan Award was established in 1930 to honor Sullivan, a founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Recognized as a pioneer in the amateur sports movement, Sullivan is credited with developing the current concept of the playground and organized recreation of the present day. Accordingly, he and others opened the first public playground and gymnasium in New York City in 1906.

The only college baseball player to be nominated for the award, Moore was joined on the list of finalists by Pamiero-Winters, a record-setting paralympic ultra-marathon specialist from Hicksville, N.Y.; Angela Bizzari, a cross country star at the University of Illinois, Zak Boggs, a standout soccer player from the University of South Florida, Olympic luge athlete Erin Hamlin of Remsen, N.Y.; and volleyball star Megan Hodge of three-time reigning national champion Penn State University.

A member of West Point’s Class of 2011, Moore was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division I All-America Third Team as a sophomore last spring. He was also chosen to the First Team All-Patriot League squad while finishing second in the conference’s player of the year voting. Additionally, Moore was one of 15 semifinalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, presented to the nation’s top shortstop by the College Baseball Foundation.

The third Black Knight to earn Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors in 2008 en route to a Freshman All-America citing, Moore didn’t miss a beat last spring. He batted .395 with 18 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs, 58 runs scored and 65 runs batted in. He posted a slugging percentage of .724 and an on-base mark of .494, while piling up 134 total bases, just one behind the single season school record set by teammate Joey Henshaw in 2009. A slick-fielding defensive standout, Moore registered a remarkable fielding percentage of .971 and helped Army set a new team record for double-plays (66), participating in 38 twin-killings from his shortstop position. He established new single season school records for both multi-hit (25) and multi-RBI (20) games this spring, batted safely in 43 of 53 outings and hit .378 with runners in scoring position.

Moore led the Patriot League in doubles, triples, slugging percentage and on-base percentage, while finishing second in batting average, runs scored (one short of the league lead), runs batted in, total bases (one shy of league lead) and walks. He hit .433 with seven doubles, three triples, three home runs, 23 runs scored and 28 RBI in 20 Patriot League tilts, recording a .761 slugging percentage in those outings. Moore authored an amazing nine game late-season stretch, batting .581 with three doubles, three triples, six home runs, 21 runs scored and 26 RBI. He fashioned a 1.452 slugging percentage and a .667 on-base mark during that span. Though just a junior, Moore already owns Army’s career record for multiple-RBI affairs (32) and has garnered 47 career multiple-hit contests..

Pamiero-Winters joins a list of recent winners of the AAU Sullivan Award that includes Rulan Gardner (wrestling) in 2000, Michelle Kwan (figure skating) in 2001, Sarah Hughes (figure skating) in 2002, Michael Phelps (swimming) in 2003, Paul Hamm (gymnastics) in 2004, J.J. Redick (men’s basketball) in 2005, Jessica Long (paralympic women’s swimming) in 2006, Tim Tebow (football) in 2007 and Shawn Johnson (gymnastics) in 2008.

Former Army football greats Felix "Doc" Blanchard and Young Arnold Tucker garnered the award in consecutive years, claiming the honor in 1945 and 1946, respectively. They rank as the only two West Pointers to capture the honor.

Moore was announced as one of 14 semifinalists in late March and then after a round of fan voting and consideration by the committee, advanced to the list of six finalists.

A complete listing of finalists for the 80th annual AAU Sullivan Award is listed below:
Angela Bizzarri, Cross Country
Zak Boggs, soccer
Erin Hamlin, luge
Megan Hodge, volleyball
CLINT MOORE, BASEBALL
Amy Palmiero-Winters, paralympic ultra marathon

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