William French Memorial Award (Hall of Fame)

William French Memorial Award (Hall of Fame)

Named for the 1924 football great who was instrumental in forming the Hall of Fame and served as its secretary-treasurer, this award is presented to a current or former Boston University coach or to a graduate of Boston University who has distinguished himself or herself in the coaching profession in the past year. The recipient is chosen by the Hall of Fame executive committee.

Past Winners

Year
Award Winner
2024 Glenn Harris (BU Strength & Conditioning)
2022  Bob Dallis '86 (Dartmouth Women's Tennis)
2019  Bill O'Neill '79 (Salem State Men's Ice Hockey)
2017 Robyne Johnson (BU Track & Field)
2016 Mike Sullivan '90 (Pittsburgh Penguins)
2014 Bruce Lehane (BU Cross Country/Track & Field)
2012 Joe Katchpole '67 (Norwood H.S. Track & Field - Mass.)
2010 Emo DiNitto '59 (Toll Gate H.S. Football - R.I.)
2008
Tony Sparano (Miami Dolphins)
2006
Liza Kelly (BU Women's Lacrosse)
2004
Don Cahoon '72 (UMass Men's Ice Hockey)
2003
Archie Cataldi '52 (Clinton H.S. Football - Mass.)
2002
Lesley Sheehan '84 (BU Women's Tennis)
2001
Nancy Feldman (BU Women's Soccer)
2000
Mike Jarvis (St. John's Men's Basketball)
1999
Ramona Polvere '50
1998
Ben Smith
1997
Dennis Wolff (BU Men's Basketball)
1996
Tom Caito '60, '74
1995
Neil Roberts (BU Men's Soccer)
1994
Sally Starr (BU Field Hockey)
1993
Peter Yetten '71 (Bentley Football)
1992
Claire Nolan '46
1991
John Cullen '87, Rick Meagher '77
1990
Dick Farley '68
1989
Paul Farren '83
1988
Terry Meagher '76
1987
Bill Brooks '86
1986
Marie Butera '56
1985
Jim Jensen '81
1984
Arthur Boyle '50
1983
Joan Benoit (BU Women's Track & Field)

From 1961-78, the Harry Cleverly Memorial Award was presented to an alumnus who distinguished himself in coaching 

Year
Award Winner
1978 Hatch Brown (MIT)
1977 Paul Whalen (Berwick Academy)
1976 Dick Lynch (Danvers High School)
1975 Robert Licare (North Andover High School) & Bob Whelan (Natick High School)
1974 Tom Caito (Holliston High School)
1973 Jim Cross (UVM)
1972 Jack Kelley (BU)
1971 John Toner (UConn)
1970 Joe Quinn (Catholic Memorial High School)
1969 Jack Leaman (UMass)
1968 Bob Whelan (Natick High School)
1967 John Chambers (Needham High School)
1966 Irving Black (New Britain High School)
1965
Jim Anderson (Marshfield High School)
1964
Art Boyle (Malden High School), John Killilea (Melrose High School) & Larry Folloney (Bridgewater High School)
1963
Steve Sobiek (Lynnfield High School)
1962
Billy Tighe (Wakefield High School)
1961
Glenn O'Brien (Salem High School)