“America recognizes Lou Holtz as one of the greatest football coaches of all time for his unmatched achievements on the battlefield, but he is also a philanthropist, author and a true American patriot,” says a White House statement. “After growing up in a small town in West Virginia, Holtz attended Kent State University, becoming the first member of his family to enroll in college. In Kent State, Holtz played football, studied history, and joined the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. For the next 7 years, he served with honor as an officer in the United States Army reserves. When asked about his service during an interview with the American Legion, Holtz said: ‘I was taught early on that I had an obligation to serve my country.’
