Distinguished Awards Dinner (DAD)
Each year, The Greater Birmingham Auburn Club recognizes members of the Auburn Family for their extraordinary accomplishments, significant professional achievements or distinguished service to others. It is the highest honor bestowed by the club, organized into the categories of Distinguished Alumni, Distinguished Athlete, and Distinguished Service.
Previous honorees include:
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Timothy Vines '88, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
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Daymeon Fishback '01, Financial Advisor, Former Professional Basketball Player, SEC Network Analyst
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Sen. J.T. "Jabo" Waggoner, Alabama State Senator-16th District (Jefferson & Shelby Co.)
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Mac Crawford '71, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Caremark Rx, Inc., Former Auburn Football Player
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Mike Kolen '69, Former NFL Player, Author
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Susan Story '81, Former president and CEO of American Water
2021-2022 DAD Honoree: David Housel
David Housel has been the Director of Athletics Emeritus at Auburn University since January 2006. He was named Auburn's 13th Director of Athletics on April 1, 1994 after working in almost every area of the Auburn Athletic Department for the previous 25 years. He has dedicated more than 40 years to Auburn University, and was the athletic department's sports information director from 1981-94.
David Housel graduated from Auburn University in 1969 with a degree in journalism. After graduation, he became news editor of The Huntsville News from 1969-70, returning to Auburn as an administrative assistant in the athletic department ticket office. At the same time, he served as an instructor in journalism at Auburn University and advisor to The Plainsman from 1972-80. He then returned to the athletic department where he eventually rose to the position of assistant athletic director in 1985. He became athletic director in 1994 and retired after eleven successful years.
