President Donald Trump will on Dec. 3 award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to former soccer coach Lou Holtz.
“America acknowledges Lou Holtz as one of many biggest soccer coaches of all time for his unmatched accomplishments on the gridiron, however he’s additionally a philanthropist, creator, and true American patriot,” the White Home stated in a press release asserting Trump’s intention to award Holtz the medal, which is granted to individuals who have made particular contributions on behalf of the nation.
Trump first introduced that he could be honoring Holtz with the accolade at a Sept. 4 press briefing, when the president known as the Corridor of Famer an “unbelievable chief” and a good friend.
“We’ve analyzed it very intently. We’ve checked out all these suggestions. We’ve checked out Lou’s life and his profession and what he’s performed for charity, and the soccer is apparent,” Trump stated on the time. “He was an ideal coach however what he’s performed past even teaching, so Lou will probably be getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Holtz spent 34 years teaching each school {and professional} soccer groups and is maybe greatest identified for an 11-season stretch as Notre Dame’s head coach.
“Most notably, Holtz earned an impressive 100–30–2 report in 11 seasons on the College of Notre Dame,” the White Home acknowledged. “His 1988 group earned an ideal 12–0 report and had been topped nationwide champions. Most significantly, he impressed generations of younger athletes alongside the way in which.”
Holtz’s profession included stints teaching at North Carolina State, the College of Arkansas, the New York Jets, the College of Minnesota, and the College of South Carolina—the place he was head coach for six seasons from 1999 to 2004.
His accomplishments on the sphere earned him such accolades as being elected to the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame, the Arkansas Sports activities Corridor of Fame, and the Higher Ohio Valley Corridor of Fame.
Apart from his engagement in sports activities, Holtz served for seven years as an officer within the U.S. Military Reserves.
“Since his retirement from teaching, Holtz has authored a number of books, contributed to ESPN and CBS as a sports activities analyst, and continues to provide again to his group by way of two of his personal charities, the Holtz Charitable Basis and the Holtz’s Heroes Basis,” the White Home famous.
Holtz spoke on the Republican Nationwide Conference in August, throughout which he made a case for Trump’s reelection, calling the president “a constant winner, an impressive chief.”
“There are individuals right now like politicians, professors, protesters, and naturally, President Trump’s naysayers within the media who wish to blame others for issues,” he stated. “They don’t have satisfaction in our nation, and since they now not ask what can I do for my nation, solely what the nation ought to be doing for them, they don’t have satisfaction in themselves.”
“He says what he means. He means what he says. And he’s performed what he stated he would do at each single flip,” Holtz stated of Trump, hailing the president as a powerful “advocate for the unborn,” whereas labeling the Biden-Harris ticket as “probably the most radically pro-abortion marketing campaign in historical past.”
For those who discovered this text attention-grabbing, please contemplate supporting conventional journalism
Our first version was revealed 25 years in the past from a basement in Atlanta. Right this moment, The Epoch Occasions brings fact-based, award-winning journalism to tens of millions of Individuals.
Our journalists have been threatened, arrested, and assaulted, however our dedication to impartial journalism has by no means wavered. This yr marks our twenty fifth yr of impartial reporting, free from company and political affect.
That’s why you’re invited to a limited-time introductory provide — simply $1 per week — so you may be part of tens of millions already celebrating impartial information.
