Paul Robeson Awards: A history
The annual Paul Robeson Scholar-Athlete Award Program is sponsored by King County Executive Ron Sims in an effort to nurture and celebrate the academic accomplishments of student-athletes. This year we marked the 20th anniversary of the program.
The program was founded in 1986 by then-County Councilmember Ron Sims and Lt. Ronald S. Sylve of the Seattle Police Department. At the time, Sims was president of the Rainier District Youth Athletic Association, and both he and Sylve coached for the organization. The idea for the Paul Robeson Awards grew from a conversation Sims and Sylve had on the sidelines during a youth football game.
Sims and Sylve shared a vision to recognize students who excel in both academics and athletics. Out of this shared vision came the annual Paul Robeson Scholar-Athlete Awards. In its first year, 23 recipients were honored for their achievements. Each year the number of recipients grows. This year's event honored over 600 students from across King County.
The award is named after Paul Robeson, who was a well-decorated athlete during his college years at Rutgers University. Robeson was a splendid athlete, who earned 12 letters in four sports over his college career. Robeson went on to attend and graduate with honors from Columbia University in 1923 where he recieved his law degree. Robeson used his fame, notoriety and public platform to advance the cause of civil rights.
The Paul Robeson Scholar-Athlete Award hopes to instill the values of the man, for whom the award is named. Robeson overcame every obstacle placed in front of him through hard work, perseverance, and dedication to the principles of excellence and equality. The student athletes who recieve the Paul Robeson award have shown their commitment to both the classroom and the athletic field.