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WASHINGTON -- College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz has often talked about his humble beginnings in East Liverpool as being the bedrock of his decades-long mission of being a leader.
Fresh off receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in December of 2020, Holtz, 86, will be receiving another prestigious award which ties into his belief that anyone can make it if they are given the opportunity and work hard to achieve that goal.
Holtz is one of 13 individuals who will receive the Horatio Alger Award during the Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies which are taking place Thursday through Saturday in Washington.
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals for 76 years who have succeeded despite facing adversities, and who have remained committed to education and charitable efforts in their communities.
Holtz grew up in East Liverpool as the son of a bus driver during the Great Depression. To make extra money at age 9, he delivered the Evening Review in town and eventually became the first in his family to earn a college degree despite battling personal adversities, including having a speech impediment and experiencing financial struggles.
The 1954 East Liverpool High School graduate received a bachelor's degree in history from Kent State University, where he played football as a linebacker. To assist with tuition, Holtz was a part of Kent State's Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). He earned a commission as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve upon his graduation in 1959 and went on to serve seven years as a reserve officer. While receiving his master's degree at Iowa State, Holtz began coaching football as a graduate assistant and discovered his passion for coaching.
His first head coaching position came in 1969 at William and Mary launching him on a career that lasted 34 seasons with head coaching stops at North Carolina State, the New York Jets of the NFL, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina.
During his famed tenure at Notre Dame, Holtz won 80 percent of his games including a national championship in 1988.
In addition to his time on the sidelines, Holtz worked as a television analyst for ESPN and CBS.
"Mr. Holtz has been making an impact on our nation's youth throughout the entirety of his career, mostly at the college level," said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director. "It takes a special person to connect with young athletes and push them to reach their full potential both inside and outside of the classroom."
Holtz has written or contributed to 10 books, three of which became best-sellers. He also participates in many philanthropic endeavors as Chairman of the Board at the Holtz Charitable Foundation. In 2018, he donated $5.4 million in assets and $1.5 million to support education and religious and health-related organizations such as the YMCA, the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium, Benedictine College and Northwood University. He supports students by providing trade scholarships through The Louis Holtz Family Foundation, which has awarded over $100,000 to deserving students and hosts a diabetic camp in Louisiana. Holtz is currently a motivational speaker, traveling to 13 countries to visit American troops and boost morale with his leadership and faith.
While Mr. Holtz no longer coaches, he continues to contribute to the game of football through the Holtz's Heroes Foundation, which provides support to underprivileged student athletes. Mr. Holtz's achievements on and off the field have earned him multiple honors.
"I have been fortunate to have a fulfilling career doing what I love, instilling qualities in young athletes that translate to both the game and life," Holtz said. "While my career in athletics is over, I am excited for this new opportunity to connect with youth pursuing higher education. It is an honor to be recognized for the difference I have made in the lives of others while also being granted an opportunity to continue my work with the next generation."
Since 1984, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans has awarded annual need-based scholarships to high school students who have displayed dedication to pursuing higher education despite significant obstacles throughout their lives. The Association also aims to educate young people about the endless opportunities available by the free-enterprise system through commitment, honesty, and diligence. The scholarships are made possible through the Association thanks to the generosity of its members, who will have collectively provided more than $245 million to 35,000 students by 2023.
Famous Horatio Alger Award recipients include baseball player Hank Aaron, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, baseball player Lou Brock, entertainer Lawrence Welk, talk show host Oprah Winfrey, football player Herschel Walker, football coach Eddie Robinson, president Dwight Eisenhower, president Herbert Hoover, musician Johnny Cash, comedian Bob Hope, president Ronald Reagan, baseball player Willie Stargell, Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, boxer George Foreman and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
Alger was a 19th century author who wrote young adult stories characterized by 'rags-to-riches' tales.