Tonight, Kristine Lilly, a star of the United States women's soccer team and Dan Duquette, executive vice president and general manger of the Boston Red Sox, will be presented the Tufts University Athletic Department and Jumbo Club's 2000 Distinguished Achievement Award. The award was created in 1987 to annually recognize outstanding contributions to sports by individuals with a New England identity and has been given to such greats as Boston Celtics' legend Red Auerbach and figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in past years.
"It's nice to be recognized, especially with the people that have won this award over the years," Duquette said about receiving the Distinguished Achievement Award. "Some great people have been recognized in this fashion and it's an honor to be with them."
Tonight's ceremony will take place in Cohen Auditorium, beginning at 7:30 p.m., and is open to the university public.
Duquette is from Dalton, in western Mass., where he grew up a Red Sox fan. He graduated from Amherst College in 1980, playing baseball and football while there. Duquette started his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the team's scouting director in 1986. He then became vice president and general manager of the Montreal Expos, putting together a fine group of players that had the best record in baseball at the time of the 1994 strike, at 74-40.
Duquette joined the Red Sox in 1994 and has helped rebuild the franchise, which was struggling considerably at the time of his arrival. Since he become Boston's general manger and executive vice president, the team has been among the best in baseball, and Duquette has drawn praise for his decision-making as well as his ability to make a move that may be unpopular for the best interests of the franchise.
For Duquette, being general manager of the Red Sox has been the culmination of a lifelong dream. In a business where just getting a job is challenging enough, Duquette managed to run the franchise he rooted for as a child.
"It's a great thrill to align my aspirations with my childhood dreams," he said. "It's very rewarding to come to work at Fenway Park every day."
Duquette has done everything possible to make the most out of his dream job. He drew fire for letting Roger Clemens and Mo Vaughn, fan favorites, leave via free agency, but it appears that both of those moves have paid off in the long run, freeing up enough money for the Red Sox to get better, more productive players.
Not surprisingly, under Duquette the Sox have put together one of the best records in baseball over the last six seasons. They won the American League East in 1995, made the playoffs in 1998 and 1999, advancing to the American League Championship Series last year. The team was in contention for a playoff berth this year as well, but fell just short.
"Having a contending team in Boston makes the summers go a lot quicker," Duquette said. "People in this city measure time by how the Red Sox do."
The fact that the Red Sox are deeply embedded in the culture of their city, however, does have its downside considering the microscope that everyone on the team is under. For Duquette, that involves speculation on an alleged rift between him and manager Jimy Williams, and calls for the trading of volatile center fielder Carl Everett.
"We're in a major media market, and the day-to-day interest of the fans is a challenging aspect of managing this franchise," Duquette said. "There is an intense bond between the Red Sox and their fans, and I'm trying to meet their desire for a World Championship. But with so much at stake, you have to try to keep things on an even keel."
Lilly, a Wilton, Connecticut native, graduated from the University of North Carolina 1993. The left-footed, left-sided midfielder for the US National Team is still a presence in her hometown, running the Kristine Lilly Soccer Academy every summer in Wilton.
Lilly, who led UNC to four National Championships, was named Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Championship in 1989 and '90. As a 20-year-old, she was a member of the US Women's World Championship Team, which won the first FIFA Women's World Championship in China in 1991. Lilly debuted with the U.S. National Team on August 3, 1987, in the team's 16th match ever, at the age of 16 years and 12 days, making her the second youngest player ever.
Since then, Lilly has made a name for herself with the US Team, playing the most international games of any player, man or woman, in the world. She was instrumental in leading the United States to its memorable World Cup victory in 1999. Lilly was named Most Spectacular Player in the 1999 World Cup Final, in which the US defeated China, 5-4. She headed away a corner kick that would have given China a 1-0 lead and had gotten past goalkeeper Briana Scurry.
Lilly also participated in the 2000 Olympics, helping the US to a silver medal and led the team to a World Cup in the first ever tournament in 1991.
Lilly's 86 goals in international competition are third all-time for the US, behind only Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers, and her 62 straight starts two years ago set a national record. She has participated in 87 percent of the National team's matches.
Also to be honored are seven former Jumbos who graduated last spring. Matt Adler, who played for the soccer and lacrosse teams, will receive the Clarence "Pop" Houston award as the best male athlete. Caitlin Murphy, who starred on the track and cross country teams, earned the Hester L. Sargent Award as best female athlete.
Mike Andrews of the football and basketball team will receive the Rudolph J. Fobert Award for success in multiple sports and in the classroom. Cross country and track runner Cindy Manning will be named the female recipient. Gerry Topping of the football team and Zaina Al-Awadi will be presented the Murray Kenney Awards for positive attitude and persistence.
Finally, former Daily Editor-in-Chief Jordan Brenner will receive the Tim Horgan Award as the top student sportswriter.
