The University of Mississippi Athletics
Khayat to Receive 2003 NFF Distinguished American Award
July 9, 2003
MORRISTOWN, N.J. - Jon F. Hanson, Chairman of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, announced today that Dr. Robert C. Khayat, Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, will be the 2003 recipient of the Distinguished American Award.
Presented on special occasions when a truly deserving individual emerges, the award honors someone who has applied the character building attributes learned from amateur sport in their business and personal life, exhibiting superior leadership qualities in education, amateur athletics, business and in the community.
"On behalf of the Awards Committee and its chairman, Robert E. Mulcahy III, I am pleased to announce Dr. Robert C. Khayat as this year's Distinguished American Award recipient," said Hanson. "As a former standout athlete, teacher and university chancellor, Dr. Khayat's devotion and influential leadership has made a lasting contribution towards the advancement and betterment of intercollegiate athletics."
The Distinguished American Award will be presented to Dr. Khayat at The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's 46th Annual Awards Dinner, December 9, 2003, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. The Awards Dinner is the highlight of the college football season where the 2003 Hall of Fame Class will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and 15 National Scholar-Athletes will be awarded with over $300,000 in postgraduate scholarships.
A native of Moss Point, Mississippi, Dr. Khayat attended the University of Mississippi where he was an outstanding football and baseball player, leading the nation in scoring by a kicker in 1958 and 1959 and helping the Rebels to consecutive Southeastern Conference baseball titles. He was also an academic All-America selection in football and an All-SEC selection in baseball. He played in the 1960 College All-Star Game. After graduation, Khayat played for the Washington Redskins from 1960-64 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1961.
Following his professional career, Khayat returned to Ole Miss to attend law school, graduating in 1966. Three years later, he joined the law school faculty. After years in private law practice and teaching, Khayat took a leave of absence during the 1980-81 academic year to earn a Masters of Laws at Yale University.
Khayat was promoted to associate law dean before his selection to serve as vice chancellor for University Affairs in 1984, a post he held until 1989. His outstanding fundraising ability and leadership was recognized in 1989 when he was appointed, following a national search, as the first president of the NCAA Foundation. This Foundation funds NCAA projects, including scholarships for student athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and still desire to earn undergraduate degrees, and fellowships for students pursuing careers in sports administration, athletics research, and drug education programs.
After three years with the NCAA, Khayat returned to Mississippi as a law professor. Possessing a great popularity among his pupils, the Law Student Body chose him as its 1993-94 Outstanding Law Professor of the Year and the school's Mississippi Law Journal staff established a scholarship in his name in 1995. On July 1, 1995 Khayat was named the University's 15th Chancellor, overseeing the Oxford campus, University Medical Center in Jackson and degree-granting centers in Southaven and Tupelo.
Khayat was named the Oxford Lafayette County Citizen of the Year in 1989 and has served as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He also has been an active member of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, receiving the Distinguished American Award by the Gulf Coast Chapter in 1987 and the Ole Miss Chapter in 1989. In 1998, Dr. Khayat was honored by the NFL Alumni Association for achievements on and off the playing field when he was presented with its prestigious Career Achievement Award. In addition, he served as president of the M-Club Alumni, and president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
He resides in Oxford, Mississippi with his wife Margaret. They have two children.
With 119 chapters and over 12,000 members nationwide, The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, a not-for-profit educational organization, runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in America's young people. NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., Play It Smart, The NFF Center for Youth Development Through Sport at Springfield College (Mass.), the NFL-NFF Coaching Academy, and scholarships of nearly $1 million for College and High School Scholar-Athletes.