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Distinguished Alumnus 2015: Peyton Manning '94

R. Hibbert
[FULL STORY]

Newman’s Alumni Association is pleased to announce that the 2015 recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award is Peyton Manning ’94. One of the most talented, successful, and honored NFL players of all time, Manning accepted the award at an evening reception on Tuesday, February 24, in Newman’s Reynolds Ryan Art Gallery.

Peyton Manning is the NFL’s only five-time MVP, and he has earned his place among the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks as the active leader in nearly every statistical passing category. Since entering the NFL in 1998, joining the Indianapolis Colts as the first overall draft pick, Manning has thrown the most touchdown passes (530) in league history in addition to ranking second in wins by a quarterback (179), completions (5,927), and passing yards (69,691).

As Newman’s starting quarterback beginning as a sophomore, he led the Greenies to the state semifinals and an overall record of 34-5 over his three seasons as a starter. Manning still holds school records in passing yards in a season (2,703) and passing touchdowns in a season (39). He totaled 7,528 yards during his career along with 105 touchdowns. He was named All District, All Metro, All State, and Academic All State. As a senior he was selected as a Parade All American, USA Today Louisiana Player of the Year, Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year, and Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Offensive Player of the Year.

“Peyton energized the Newman football program with his high level of athleticism and his strength of character,” said Newman’s head football coach Nelson Stewart ’95, who played alongside Manning on the varsity team. “His legacy and lasting impact on our program has been unbelievable. His hard work truly laid the foundation for what we are today. After he began to set records, the roster swelled, and football has remained one of our strongest sports programs to date. We are so fortunate that he has been such a great supporter of our program during his outstanding career.”

Newman alumnus Angus Lind ’62 presented the award at a reception attended by Manning’s family and a small group of former classmates and faculty, alumni, and administrators. Lind recounted his long relationship with the Manning family, how he watched Peyton grow up at Newman, and how he was “flattered, but surprised” to be asked to speak at the event. He also noted that Manning has a strong, lifelong connection to Newman, saying, “For all the great teammates and success he had achieved in college and the pros, playing high school football with all his best friends he had grown up with was something very, very special – irreplaceable – that he really cherished and thinks about regularly.”

When he addressed the crowd, Manning thanked the School for counting him among the “thousands of talented and dedicated Greenies who have built their lives on its strong foundation.” He explained that “the academic and other demands here helped infuse discipline and time management skills that helped me compete in college and in my professional life. Newman is a demanding school that always puts academics first and makes no apology for its rigors.”

Manning said that Newman also gave him “a box full of memories,” and throughout the speech he shared those memories – anecdotes of playing with his brother Cooper ’92 on Lupin Field, math class, volleyball games, and even his role in a school play – to express the deep impact the School has had on him. It became clear that the relationships, skills, and character added up to more than memories, they helped make him who he is. “No matter what color jersey I wear,” he said, “I will always bleed green.”

Prior to the reception, Newman’s Head of School, Dale M. Smith, and wife Dara welcomed guests to their home on campus. Early in his teaching career at Newman, Smith coached Manning on the junior varsity basketball team and during his freshman year taught him computer applications.

“Teaching and coaching Peyton was a privilege,” said Smith. “He showed the same competitive spirit, strong character, thoughtfulness, and sense of humor that he does today. I am grateful that he has remained close to many of his classmates and connected to his alma mater throughout his remarkable career. Peyton is one of our most vocal and generous supporters. We are proud to call him a Newman graduate and a Distinguished Alumnus.”

In addition to his gridiron success, Manning is well known for his community service and engagement off the field. He has been honored as the recipient of the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award and the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award following the 2005 season as well as the Bart Starr Award in 2015. Together with his father, Archie, and brothers, Cooper ’92 and Eli ’99, he established the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana, a summer clinic serving talented high school players from around the country.

About the Distinguished Alumnus Award
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given each year to graduates who have made significant contributions in their specific fields of endeavor and taken a vigorous civic leadership role, bringing honor to the School through their achievements, both professionally and in the community. This award is the highest honor Newman bestows on its alumni. Past recipients include Richard B. Stone ’60, Leslie Rosenthal Jacobs ’77, James M. Lapeyre ’71, Dr. Scott Kellermann ’63, Michael M. Lewis ’78, Bryan M. Batt ’81, Darryl D. Berger ’65, Walda Barnett ’54 and Sydney ’45 Besthoff, Dr. Mark J. Plotkin ’73, Marlene Trestman, ’74, Harry J. Blumenthal, Jr. ’63, Dr. Isidore Cohn, Jr. ’38, Walter S. Isaacson ’70, Dr. Willard L. Marmelzat ’35, The Honorable Morey L. Sear ’45, Carmel J. Cohen, M.D. ’50, Florence Weiland Schornstein ’52, Janice Levy Heymann ’36, Moise S. Steeg, Jr. ’32, Ira B. Harkey, Jr. ’35, Diana Monroe Lewis ’55, Benjamin M. Rosen ’50, Moise W. Dennery ’31, and the Honorable John Minor Wisdom ’22.

About Isidore Newman School
Founded in 1903, Isidore Newman School is a co-educational independent school that serves high achieving and highly motivated students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. In August 2015, the School will open Green Trees Early Childhood Village, a state-of-the-art facility for the education of children ages six weeks to four years. Newman is located in the heart of Uptown New Orleans, blocks away from Tulane and Loyola University. With a current enrollment of 975 students, Newman is the only co-educational, non-sectarian, independent day school in the city of New Orleans. The School enjoys a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts, with its students matriculating to the most selective colleges and universities in the country. Newman continues to offer traditional and current educational opportunities to prepare students for college and their paths beyond academia. At Newman, strong relationships and high expectations provide the foundation for teaching and learning.
 
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