This award honors the memory of Sam Skinner, a longtime San Francisco-based radio journalist, and is presented to an athlete, official, meet promoter, sports information director, coach or anyone who has shown exemplary cooperation with the media. Known originally as the Gold Medal Award, this recognition was initiated in 1990 during the presidency of Bert Rosenthal of the Associated Press.

Past Winners:

• 2010 Dave Johnson, Penn Relays
• 2009 Vin Lananna, University of Oregon coach
• 2008 Al Franken, Southern California meet promoter
• 2007 Phil Pierce, Arkansas women's sports information director
• 2006 Mike Mahon, Drake sports information director
• 2005 John Smith, UCLA and HSI sprint coach
• 2004 Allen Johnson, Olympic and four-time world 110 hurdles champion
• 2003 John McDonnell, Arkansas Head Men's Track Coach
• 2002 Jill Geer, USA Track and Field communications director
• 2001 Stacy Dragila, Olympic pole vault gold medallist
• 2000 Bob Ehrhart, Drake Relays director
• 1999 Howard Schmertz, Millrose Games director
• 1998 Roger Kingdom, two-time Olympic 110 hurdles gold medallist
• 1997 Tom Moore, Modesto Relays director
• 1996 Ruth Wysocki, Olympic 1500-meter runner
• 1995 Lance Deal, Olympic hammer silver medallist
• 1994 Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympic heptathlon gold medallist
• 1993 Butch Reynolds, 400 meter world record holder
• 1992 Mel Rosen, US Olympic Team head coach
• 1991 Pattisue Plumer, Olympic 1500-meter runner
• 1990 Mike Conley, Olympic triple jump gold medallist