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The Bob Basten Excellence in Leadership Award
The Bob Basten Excellence in Leadership Award
The Bob Basten Excellence in Leadership Award is given annually to a former Johnnie football player who in his life as an alumnus:
- Has exhibited outstanding leadership traits
- Is involved in his community and alma mater
- Has a sense of fair play carried beyond the gridiron
- Has an overall commitment to excellence
Launched in 2009, the award sprung from a conversation among three SJU Class of 1982 friends: Basten, a former Minnesota Viking and business executive who died in 2012 after 10 years with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease; Joe Kiley, a Johnnie all-American football player; and Rob Culligan, university vice president for institutional advancement. They wanted to salute Johnnie football players who represent the program’s hallmark traits.
Basten Awardees
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Tom Wicka ’90 |
| 2024 | Denis McDonough ’92 |
| 2023 | Mark Flynn ’78 |
| 2022 | Mike Zumwinkle ’86 |
| 2020 | Tim Healy ’87 |
| 2019 | Lou Raiola ’82 |
| 2018 | Mike Grant ’79 |
| 2017 | Bob Brigham ’78 |
| 2016 | Denny Schleper ’83 |
| 2015 | Robert Spinner ’64 |
| 2014 | Blake Elliott ’03 |
| 2013 | Jeff Korsmo ’80 |
| 2012 | Ken Roering ’64 |
| 2011 | Neal Binsfeld ’81 |
| 2010 | Joe Mucha ’66 |
| 2009 | Dr. Bob Gavin ’62 |