Lee and O’Sullivan Named 2002 Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award Recipients at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Former Crimson Tide football players Harry Lee of Tuscaloosa and Pat O’Sullivan of Birmingham will receive the 2002 University of Alabama National Alumni Association’s (NAA) Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award on Saturday, Sept. 14, during halftime activities of the UA vs. North Texas State University football game in Tuscaloosa.

The criteria for selection of the award, which is given annually to former Alabama athletes, include character, contributions to society, professional achievement and service to fellow man.

Since his football years as a lineman at UA, where he was a four-year letterman and played on the Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl and SEC champions teams, Harry Lee has contributed much to the University. He has worked on several scholarship and award committees, including the John Fraser Ramsey award, the Outstanding Alumni-Athlete award and the Outstanding Student-Athlete award. He was the chairman of the fund-raising committee of the Coach Bryant Memorial at Legion Field and the lead member of the committee to have the athletic department indoor practice facility named in honor of Coach Henry “Hank” Crisp. He has also served as volunteer track official at all UA track meets and has held the office of Secretary/Treasurer of the National “A” Club Alumni Association since 1966.

Lee also is active in the Tuscaloosa community. His involvement with the Tuscaloosa Jaycees, which included holding the office of president, being on the national board of directors and conducting the only “Community Survey” ever done by an Alabama chapter, earned Lee Tuscaloosa’s first “Jaycee of the Year” award. He was also listed by this organization as an “Outstanding Civic Leader of America” and as one of the “Four Outstanding Young Men in Alabama.” He has also served in positions with the Alabama Silver Hair Legislature since 1997. Also, he has worked as a Life Underwriter with Mony Life Insurance Company since 1957. During his career, he has worked on local and national committees and was named as the Tuscaloosa and state of Alabama “Life Underwriter of the Year.”

Lee is involved with Tuscaloosa youth through the Boy Scouts, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Tuscaloosa County, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tuscaloosa County and Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Little League Football. He and his wife, Jan, have three children and eight grandchildren.

Pat O’Sullivan earned four varsity letters as a linebacker at UA and he earned “All Southeastern Conference” honors in 1950. He also worked as a Southeastern Conference Football Official and has served as the captain of the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club.

O’Sullivan is very active in the Birmingham community. Since 1961, he has been in the development/construction business in the Jefferson County area and has been a member of several committees and associations for the betterment of homes and buildings in the area. These include the Jefferson County Planning Commission, the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders and the City of Birmingham Task Force to Implement Affordable Housing.

Through the O’Sullivan Foundation, he has donated generously to Children’s Hospital, Alabama Youth Home, the March of Dimes, Make a Wish Foundation, Special Olympics and numerous organizations benefiting and assisting children. His foundation has also contributed to the UA College of Education.

O’Sullivan has been married 51 years to his wife Helen. They have three children and six grandchildren. In addition to earning a degree from UA, O’Sullivan served overseas during World War II.

Presenting the alumni award at the halftime ceremony will be UA Interim President Barry Mason, Athletic Director Mal Moore, NAA President Bobby Wooldridge, NAA President-elect Jim Givan, Director of Alumni Affairs Pat Whetstone and A-Club President Deacon Jones.

Past recipients of the Bryant Award have included John Croyle, Young Boozer, Charlie Boswell, Fred Sington, Holt and Tom Rast, Hoyt “Wu” Winslett, Bart Starr, Bud Moore, Ozzie Newsome and Jerry Duncan.