Billy Mills

Billy Mills, national treasure.

In the spring of 1972 I was presented by Mr. Billy Mills with an award I will always treasure.    

The "Outstanding Native American Athlete Award"  was presented to me at Andes Central High School in Lake Andes, South Dakota.  Lake Andes is adjacent to the Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation, and I am extremely proud to say that I am sure that Mr. Mills also had a tremendous impact on the long-time Chairman of the Yankton Siouix Tribe who graduated with me in 1972, Mr. Robert "Bobby" Flying Hawk.

Mr. Mills was an orphan.  His mother died when he was eight years old, and his father passed away when he was twelve, leaving him to be raised by his older siblings and later attend the Haskell Institute, a boarding school for Native Americans in Kansas.  

Mr. Mills does not drink alcohol.  

Olympic champion, philanthropist, motivational speaker, and special human being.

Olympic champion Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota), presented with an Eagle Feather at Lake Andes school.

The only American to ever win Olympic gold in the 10,000 meters.

Billy Mills remains the USA's one and only gold medallist in the men's 10,000m, a feat he achieved at Tokyo 1964.