Fry to receive lifetime achievement award

From the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association announced today former Iowa coach and 10Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award.

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all time winningest coach in Division I football history Hayden Fry will be named recipient of the 2012

Fry's extraordinary life and contributions to college football will be acknowledged at the Marathon Oil Corporation Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards dinner on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 in Houston, Texas. The annual awards program recognizes excellence in coaching on and off the field during a career, allowing recipients to take their place in history alongside legends such as Paul “Bear” Bryant.  Recent Lifetime Achievement recipients include Lou Holtz, Barry Switzer, Glenn “Bo” Schembechler, and Bobby Bowden. 

Fry coached for 36 years with his longest and most successful tenure coming with the Iowa Hawkeyes. In 20 years, Fry led Iowa to over 140 victories, three Rose Bowl appearances, three Big Ten titles, and 14 bowl games. He is credited for transforming a longtime losing program into a perennial contender. He also played a major role in the integration of college football. While at Southern Methodist University, Fry made Jerry LeVias the first African American to sign a football scholarship in the Southwest Conference. Fry also coached at the University of North Texas, compiling a 40-23-3 record in six seasons.

Fry retired in 1998 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. Even after his retirement, Fry's fingerprints remain on college football. There are numerous current Division I head coaches that got their start under Fry's tutelage at Iowa, including Bob and Mike Stoops, Bret Bielema, Jim Leavitt, Bo Pelini, and current Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.

The Marathon Oil Corporation

Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards honor excellence in coaching while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke.  Bryant himself suffered a heart attack prior to his death in 1983. Funds raised benefit research, community education and outreach programs of the Association. For more information on the Bryant Awards, or to purchase tickets or a table for the event, visit

www.bryantawards.comor call 713-610-5000.