Sept. 22, 2000
Editor's Note: Articles such as this one by Brice Cherry appear in each edition of the Baylor Bear Insider Report, available upon membership in the Baylor Bear Foundation. For information on joining the Bear Foundation, click here.
Each year the Baylor Bear Foundation gives out the Norman "Moon" Mullins Award to a faculty or staff member who "unselfishly gives of his or her time, talent and financial support to Baylor's total academic athletic program."
Harold Cunningham seems to fit those qualifications perfectly.
Cunningham, this year's Mullins Award honoree, considers himself a sports fan. But he also understands the impact a strong athletic program has on every facet of university life.
"Athletics actually enhances the education process," Cunningham said. "When I lived in Chicago, there were people who knew about Baylor only because of our football players. They'd say, 'Oh, Baylor. That's where Mike Singletary went.'
"Athletics really help get the university's name out there."
With that knowledge in mind, Cunningham set out to assist the Baylor athletic programs in any way he could once joining the faculty as vice president of finance and administration in 1997.
"(The Mullins Award) is a very prestigious award, and Mr. Cunningham is a deserving recipient," said Doug Smith, president of the Bear Foundation. "Mr. Cunningham has distinguished himself through his donations - he's a member of several of the so-called excellence funds, the Kickoff Club, the Home Run Club, the Tipoff Club - and also through his attendance. He attends as many Baylor athletic events as possible."
It's true, Cunningham admits. He loves to see the Bears win - in any sport - as much as anyone.
"I really like athletics of all kinds," he said. "And being in Waco, being able to attend quite a few (Baylor) events, really heightens my interest."
Cunningham actually knew Moon Mullins, the former executive director of the Baylor Bear Club who passed away in the late 1980s. So when Cunningham learned he would be honored with the award named after one of the great supporters of Baylor athletics, he was floored.
"I found out about it last week, and I was very honored," Cunningham said. "It's a real honor to help the athletic programs at Baylor step up the ladder of success. I knew Moon Mullins, and he was one of the most persistent, consistent sports addicts around. He set the standard."
Many on the Bear Foundation believe Cunningham is helping to uphold that standard. Smith said Cunningham has been vital in the financing of several of Baylor's most challenging athletic projects.
In addition to the being a member of the Bear Foundation and showing a commitment to Baylor athletics, the Mullins Award honoree must also "undergird the university community with his or her visibility while serving as an ambassador for Baylor off campus," according to the Bear Foundation's stipulations. Other guidelines include being actively involved in church activities and modeling a dedicated Christian life, upholding Baylor's motto of "Excellence, a Tradition, a Practice, a Promise," and demonstrating a sincere commitment to family, friends and colleagues.
That last part shouldn't be a problem. Cunningham was scheduled to be honored at halftime of Baylor's game against Minnesota Saturday, and he had several carloads of family and friends planning to attend the game and witness the ceremony.
Cunningham believes that the Baylor athletic program is headed in the right direction.
"It really means something to have an athletic director like Tom Stanton," he said. "He and Dr. Sloan really do so much to ensure that Baylor has a first-class program, whether it's a stadium or a parking garage."
On the horizon for Cunningham, who is now vice president for special projects at Baylor, is retirement. He said that he's actually been looking to retire for a couple of years, and that he expects to finally call it a career soon.
And what will this serious sports fan do with all his extra free time?
"I'm really looking forward to playing some golf," he said.
Past Honorees:
1988 - Robert Denton
1989 - Claude Ervin
1990 - Betty Ruth Baker
1991 - Dr. Robert Packard
1992 - Leslie Rasner
1993 - Dr. Jerry Johnson
1994 - Tommye Lou Davis
1995 - Don Riley
1996 - Don Edwards
1997 - David Guin
1998 - Nancy Upton
1999 - Don Schrieber
Editor's Note: Articles such as this one by Brice Cherry appear in each edition of the Baylor Bear Insider Report, available upon membership in the Baylor Bear Foundation. For information on joining the Bear Foundation, click here.
"
