2010 Circle of Honor - Billy Mills

2010 Circle of Honor

Honoring Billy Mills

Billy Mills was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.  Although Pine Ridge is very rich in culture and spirit, it is continually recognized economically as one of the poorest communities in America with unemployment reaching 80%.
 

Billy was orphaned by the age of 12 and sent to boarding schools.  He graduated from high school at Haskell Indian School.  Billy became involved in distance running and earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Kansas. Never winning a major race in track and field or cross country, he continued to show promise by his performances, making All-American seven times.  Upon graduating from the University of Kansas, Billy was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps., and continued training for the Olympic Team.  He made the Olympic Team in two events, the marathon and the 10,000 meter run.  He had trained his body, mind, and soul for “Peak Performance.”  And the world was about to see the greatest upset in Olympic history unfold.
 

Today Billy is an accomplished businessman, author, and National Spokesperson for Christian Relief Services.  As National Spokesperson, he has helped raise over 500 million dollars in cash and in-kind for charities worldwide.  He has received five honorary doctorates, and is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Citation, the highest honor that the University of Kansas Alumni Association can bestow upon an individual to acknowledge outstanding achievement for the betterment of mankind.  A major motion picture has been made about Billy, titled “Running Brave,” and has been a positive influence on many of our American youth.  Billy Mills was recognized on several end-of-the-millennium lists, including being chosen as Sports Illustrated’s Athlete of the Century for the state of South Dakota. 

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