Former OU coach Switzer to be honored by Thorpe Association

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Jim Thorpe Association said Tuesday it will present former Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer its Lifetime Achievement Award. <br><br>Switzer is only the seventh person in the

Tuesday, January 20th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Jim Thorpe Association said Tuesday it will present former Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Switzer is only the seventh person in the 18-year history of the Thorpe Association to receive the award.

Past winners include former Governor George Nigh, longtime college basketball coach Abe Lemons and former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne.

The Thorpe Association says the award is given only occasionally and to a person the organization's board of directors believes has made significant contributions to sports, the Thorpe Association, Oklahoma and humanity.

Switzer retired as a college coach in 1989 with a career record of 157-29-4 and three national championships. He coached the Dallas Cowboys from 1994-1997, winning the Super Bowl in 1995.

The award will be presented during the Thorpe Association's annual banquet on Feb. 9 in Oklahoma City.

The banquet will include the presentation of the Jim Thorpe Award to Oklahoma's Derrick Strait as the outstanding college defensive back in the nation.