Pat Tillman Biography
Tillman, who lettered between 1994-97, is one of the most famous Sun Devil football players in history. As a junior, Tillman started every game as ASU went unbeaten through the regular season, won the Pacific-10 Conference championship and made its second appearance in the Rose Bowl in 1996. The following year, Tillman was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and was a Second-Team All-American while also receiving numerous academic honors as he helped lead the Sun Devils to a 9-3 season and a Sun Bowl victory over Iowa. He was named Sun Bowl MVP in his senior season and has since been inducted into the Sun Bowl Hall of Fame. Tillman was also named the 1997 Sporting News/Honda Scholar Athlete of the Year.
He went on to play four seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the U.S. Army Rangers in 2002. He was killed in Afghanistan April 22, 2004, but he continues to be an inspiration to Americans everywhere. Following his death, he was awarded a Purple Heart by the U.S. Army and a Silver Star by the U.S. Military. Tillman was posthumously honored with the NFF's Distinguished American Award in 2006.
To read about Pat's college career, please click here
*2008 ASU Hall of Fame/Hall of Distinction inductee* and *2010 College Football Hall of Fame inductee*
Pat Tillman Foundation/Run
In 2004 the Tillman family and friends created the Pat Tillman Foundation, established to carry forward Pat's legacy of leadership and civic action by supporting future generations of leaders who embody the American tradition of citizen service. Its signature event, Pat's Run, attracted over 27,000 participants this year.
Sponsored by the Pat Tillman Foundation, Pat's Run was created to honor the life and legacy of ASU alumnus Pat Tillman who lost his life while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. While a member of the ASU football team, Tillman proudly wore the number 42 football jersey.
The 4.2 mile run and .42 kids run attract more than 30,000 people each year. Proceeds directly benefit the Tillman Military Scholars, a program designed to support educational opportunities for servicemembers and military families by bridging the financial gaps left by the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
The 4.2 mile course winds through the streets of Tempe and is staged so that all participants finish on the 42-yard line on Frank Kush Field inside Sun Devil Stadium.
In addition to the main run, chapters from the ASU Alumni Association participate in shadow runs across the United States. The shadow runs are community-oriented, casual affairs, commonly held at parks, schools and recreation areas.
To access the Pat Tillman Foundation website, please click here
To learn more about Pat's Run, please click here
Pat's Run Still going strong after seven years (Arizona Republic/April 7, 2011)
Pat Tillman Veteran Center
The Pat Tillman Veterans Center is a 3,340 square foot facility located in the lower level of the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus.
It will provide a single point of contact for ASU veterans and their dependents, bringing together academic and student support services to promote a smooth transition from the military, provide assistance for veterans benefits, deployments, information, and referrals, as well as a place where veterans can gather for study groups and social activities.
The Pat Tillman Veterans Center, provides inspired service throughout the ASU academic journey. The Center helps ensure members receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits, help with deployment and return to school, and provide information and referrals for:
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academic and student support services
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housing
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health and counseling services
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career services
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disability resources
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tutoring resources
Center amenities include:
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fully accessible
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computer stations
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Internet and wireless access
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conference/meeting room for study groups
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TV lounge
To learn more about the Pat Tillman Veteran Center, please click here