The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • 211

1995 Jim ThorpeMcDonalds All-State Winners Announced Winners of this year's Jim ThorpeMcDonalds All-State Awards were announced during the games and presentations were made at that time. The awards honor the top Oklahoma high school athletes in each sport represented. The Jim Thorpe Awards, and Medallions given to all participants, are traditional highlights of the games and are presented in cooperation with the Oklahoma Coaches Association and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. To be eligible, an athlete must have participated in the All-State Games that were held in Oklahoma City during the week of July 23. Athletes were judged on athletic talent, character, coachable attitude, unselfish spirit and academics.

Chuck Bowman, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serves as chairman of the Thorpe Association's selection committee. John Helsley, Daily Oklahoman sportswriter, directed the nominating process. The Jim Thorpe Association Honors The Jim Thorpe Award and Outland Trophy Winners Each Year The Jim Thorpe Award is a bronze statuette of the legendary Oklahoma Indian generally regarded as the greatest athlete in history. A Walter Camp All-American at Carlisle 191 1 and 1912, Ollympic Gold Medalist in decathlon and pentathlon in 1912, star of professional baseball and football. Thorpe excelledas a runner, passer and kicker and was a fearsome defensive back.

The award was fouonded in 1986 to honor the test defensive back in college football based on performance on the firld, athletic ability and character. The defensive back is often the best athlete on the field. No other position requires the same combination of speed, agility, strength and intelligence demanded of the defensive back. Past Thorpe winners include: Thomas Everett (Baylor), Bennie Blades (Miami), Rickey Dixon (Oklahoma), Deion Sanders (Florida State), Mark Carrier (USC). Darryll Lewis (Arizona), Terrell Buckley (Florida State), Deon Figures (Colorado), Antonio Langham (Alabama) and Chris Hudson (Colorado).

The Outland Troophy has been awarded since 1946 by the Football Writers Association of America. It was initiated by Dr. John Henry Outland to honor those he thought were the unsung heroes of college football, the interior linemen. Both winners are honored each year at a black-lie banquet held at the Oklahoma City Marriott in mid-January. This year's winners are: R.

W. McQuarters, Tulsa Washington Brandon Loyd, Tulsa Memorial Casey Bookout, Stroud Chris James, Ednnond North Leslie Elliott, Duncan Bobby Armstrong, Duncan Amy Kusch, Enid Cherie Garren, Heritage Hall Steve Elkins, Madill Football Basketball Baseball Boys Golf Girls Golf Boys Tennis Girls Tennis Girls Volleyball Wrestling The AH-State Games are presented each year by the Oklahoma Association. McDonalds is the "title" sponsor for the events. Steve Young Receives Jim Thorpe MVP Award Do you really know how much you'll need to live comfortably in retirement? Are you doing the right things now? If you're starting to think about your own retirement, we've got just the book for you. Ready, Set, Retire! by J.

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with over $83 billion of assets under management. 405-478-7700 For your free copy of Ready, Set, Retire! and more information on retirement, simply complete this coupon and return to our address below. Prime time television with an audience of millions is a pretty good showcase. The Jim Thorpe Association and Oklahoma shared just such a showcase on ABC's Jim Thorpe Pro Sports Awards, was broadcast re-cendy from the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. The first award presented was the Jim Thorpe Trophy for the Most Valuable Player" in the NFL during the past season.

Sports announcer Frank Gifford and television star Lori Loughlin presented this year's tro- "on behalf of the Newspaper Enterprise Association and the Jim horpe Association of Oklahoma City." The award was originated by sportswriter and historian Murray Older-man of the NEA. The trophy is the oldest continuous award in professional football. The Thorpe Association took over its presentation in 1987. Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers quarterback, accepted the trophy and acknowledged the charitable efforts of people in sports and the Jim Thorpe organization. The show's "lifetime Achievement Award" could be considered its major highlight, having been presented in past years to such greats as Joe Dt-Maggio, Mohammed Ali and Henry Aaron.

This year, it went to Kareem Abdul Jabbar. In accepting the award, Kareem commented, and lastly I want to give some more congratulations to the Jim Thorpe (Association). It makes a difference in young people's lives back im Oklahoma and we need these things in America." He called attention to financial and political problems and said they "are taking money that funds activities for young people where they can learn American values, teamwork and how to be good citizens. I hope all of you out there will continue to fight that trend and make a difference." Winners of other "Athlete of the Year" awards were: Al Unser, auto racing; Jen Bagwell, baseball; David Robinson, basketball; George Foreman, boxing; Nick Price, men's golf; Laura Davies, women's golf; Eric Llndros, hockey; Pete Sampras, tennis and Stem Graf, women's tennis. Executive producer of the show is Ken Wolfe, -who also produces NFL Monday Night Football on ABC.

The show is in its fourth year. The coveted Thorpe trophies were given to the victors, a fitting tribute named for Oklahoma's own hero known all over the world as the greatest alhlCThe Jim Thorpe Trophy for professional football's MVP is displayed in the Pro Football of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and the name of each years winner is added to the exhibit. Name: Address: Stare Zip City Phone James M. Morris, II, CFP, CLU, ChFC 700 Cedar Lake Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73114 John Hancock Mutual Life Iiuiiranet Company and affiliated companies Botion. MA 021 17 Page 9.