Donald A. Rossi (June 2, 1918 – March 11, 1990) was the founding general manager of the Dallas Texans (now the Kansas City Chiefs) and was later president of the National Golf Foundation and the executive director of the Golf Course Builders Association of America.

Rossi was a quarterback at Michigan State University in the 1938 and 1939 seasons. He also boxed at the school.[1]

He was a National Football League official when he became the Texans first general manager under Lamar Hunt. After the Texans were 3–4 in their inaugural season under Rossi, he was fired on November 1, 1960 and was replaced by longtime Hunt assistant Jack Steadman. The Chiefs were 5–2 under Steadman completing the first season at 8–6 and having an average attendance of 24,500 (the highest of any team in the first season of the newly created American Football League. Rossi's most lasting contribution to the team was the hiring of University of Miami coach Hank Stram.[2][3]

Rossi was president of the National Golf Foundation from 1970 to 1983 and then was executive director of the National Association of Public Golf Courses (now the National Golf Course Owners Association) from its founding as a NGF spin off in 1984 until 1990.[4] The Golf Builders Association of America now gives the Don A. Rossi Award to "honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of golf and its growth, and who have inspired others."[4][5]

Recipients of the Don Rossi Award granted by the National Golf Course Owner's Association, given for significant and long-lasting contribution to the NGCOA have been:

2024 Matthew Galvin 2023 Mike Tinkey 2022 Allison George 2021 Del Ratcliff 2020 Rock Lucas 2019 Kathy Aznavorian 2018 Peter Hill 2017 Linda Rogers 2016 Bill Aragona 2015 Anne Lyndrup 2014 Mike Hughes 2013 Jim Hinckley 2012 Jeff Hoag 2011 Dan Clark 2010 Meriam Leeke 2009 Henry DeLozier 2008 Larry Giustina 2007 Marcel Welling 2006 Walter Lankau, Jr. 2005 Bill Stine 2004 NGCOA Founding Members 2003 Clay Brittain 2002 Jerry Hollingsworth 2001 Mark Seabrook 2000 Curt Walker 1999 Michael Muetzel 1998 The Scott Family 1997 Peter Trenchard 1996 Vince Alfonso, Jr. 1995 Cecil McKay 1994 Fred Tingle 1993 Gibson Lunt 1992 Scott Krause 1991 Bailey Trull

References

  1. ^ Seibold, Jack (2003). Spartan Sports Encyclopedia: A History of the Michigan State Men's Athletic Program. ISBN 9781582612195.
  2. ^ "St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search".
  3. ^ "History - 1960s". KCChiefs.com. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  4. ^ a b "GCBAA Grants Don A. Rossi Award". Golfdom. 2007-11-20. Archived from the original on 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
  5. ^ "NationalGolfCourseOwnersAssociation - Home". GolfBizWiki. 2011-06-13. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2011-12-28.
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