Return to Pointer View home page December 10,  2004

Army senior DE Will Sullivan earns first Black Lion Award

Award presented in memory of former football great Don Holleder, USMA '66

Story and photo by Spc. Eric S. Bartelt
Leisure Editor

Senior starting defensive end Will Sullivan was emotional after the 42-13 loss to Navy for many reasons, but he was truly choked up after the game when talking about the Black Lion patch he wore Saturday.

Army senior Will Sullivan

Three days before the Army-Navy contest, Army head coach Bobby Ross announced Sullivan as the first Army player to wear the patch, which will now be known as the Black Lion Award.

The award is presented in the memory of former Army football great (Maj.) Don Holleder (USMA 1966), who was killed in action in Vietnam Oct. 17, 1967, and his men of the 28th Infantry Regiment (nicknamed the Black Lions), who died with him that day.

The Black Lion Award’s intent is to go to a player who best exemplifies the character of Don Holleder, leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self sacrifice and, above all, an unselfish concern to put the team ahead of himself.

“(This award) best symbolizes Don Holleder, who was a tremendous student-athlete that gave up an All-American ranking (as an end) as a junior to become a quarterback as a senior -- it’s symbolic of being a team player,” Ross said. “We have a bunch of players that could have won the award, but Will is a very deserving young man.”

Sullivan recorded a sack of Navy senior quarterback Aaron Polanco during the game and has played solid during the year, but much like Holleder, Sullivan made the transition from tackle to end during the past year.

He was overcome by emotions after the game talking about what the patch meant to him and as a history major knows how hard the 28th Regiment fought in Vietnam and was honored to wear the patch for them.

“Maj. Holleder was a great man and he fought with a lot of great men in Vietnam with the 28th Regiment,” Sullivan said. “To receive this award and represent those guys who gave their hearts on the real battlefield, it meant a lot for me to wear the patch -- especially against Navy.”

An Army senior will wear the patch during every Army-Navy game from now on. The team staff, including the strength staff, assistant coaches and operations officers picked Sullivan.

Holleder, who was one of the most versatile athletes Army has ever fielded, played hockey, basketball as well as football.

He graced the cover of a 1955 Sports Illustrated during his senior year where he changed positions because head coach Earl “Red” Blaik felt his team’s best chance of winning was with Holleder leading the team under center although he had never played the quarterback position before then.

Before going on to a decorated military career, he engineered a season-ending 14-6 upset of a heavily favored Midshipmen team to finish out the 1955 season.

At 6’3”, 255 pounds, Sullivan has epitomized Holleder’s traits by playing against opponents who are at least 50 pounds heavier than him while splitting time between the end and tackle position.

The Atlanta native finished out his Army career with 9 1/2 sacks and 29 tackles for loss.

Although the game didn’t turn out in Army’s favor, Sullivan was glad to honor someone he’s admired since his plebe year.

“I learned about him my plebe year watching tapes before the Army-Navy game,” Sullivan said. “Every time I go into the Holleder Center I see his picture and read his story -- it means a lot.

“I wore the patch with a lot of pride today, unfortunately the outcome isn’t what I wanted, but I still wore the patch with pride,” he added.