The University of Notre Dame Athletics Department and the Monogram Club created the Frazier Thompson Award in 2021 to recognize outstanding contributions to inclusion and belonging by Monogram Club members and others in the Notre Dame community. The award is named in honor of Frazier Thompson ’47 (track & field), Notre Dame’s first Black Monogram winner.
The Monogram Club works with Athletics leadership to align the award with other initiatives related to the Together Irish platform. Together Irish builds on the University’s Spirit of Inclusion, and invites student-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty, alumni, supporters and community members to join in the work needed to create sustainable progress and change.
Frazier Thompson Award recipients receive a $10,000 grant to be donated to an organization whose work aligns with Together Irish commitments. Grants are funded by the creation of the Frazier Thompson Award Fund, generously gifted and endowed through the benefaction of former Monogram Club president Don Casey ’82, ’83 (swimming) and his wife, Ann.
Nominations for the award are solicited by the Monogram Club board and staff. Recipients are chosen by the Monogram Club board, with approval of Athletics and University leadership and subject to NCAA compliance rules.
ABOUT FRAZIER THOMPSON
During World War II, Thompson was part of the V-12 Naval College Training Program at Notre Dame. After his stint in the trainee program concluded, he enrolled as an undergraduate at Notre Dame, and later joined the track & field team as a sprinter. Thompson became Notre Dame’s first Black graduate, earning a degree in pre-professional studies. He would go on to work with the U.S. Postal Service and NASA. Thompson passed away in 1991.
FRAZIER THOMPSON AWARD RECIPIENTS
Daelin Hayes ’20 (football) – 2022