U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- A Falcons wrestler here was the first to receive the Frank Bryant Award for his sportsmanship May 6.
Cadet 3rd Class Drew Romero earned the award for embodying the Air Force core values, living a championship lifestyle, loving competition, and overcoming adversity to achieve winning results, according to the award criteria.
The award’s namesake, retired Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr. of Knoxville, Tennessee, was an Academy graduate, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot and Falcons wrestler. He died April 27, 2011, when an Afghan pilot shot and killed him and eight others while the group was inside the base’s command center.
Romero said it’s appropriate and important the award is named after Bryant.
“His character is one we as team try to embrace on and off the mat,” he said. “I would like to tell Lt. Col. Bryant's family that he will live on through the wrestling team. It is touching to know people like Mr. Bryant serve to protect the lives of those we care about most and show the enemy our will to fight won't be broken.”
Chief Master Sgt. Max Grindstaff, the Academy’s command chief, presented the award to Romero. The chief worked with Bryant while deployed to the 438th Expeditionary Wing in Kabul.
“The award is special for Cadet Romero and I hope it’s special for Frank’s family,” Grindstaff said. “We’re proud of Frank and his sacrifice. This athletics award will keep his memory alive as an Academy graduate, an athlete, and a husband, father and friend.”
Romero chalked-up the award to his wrestling teammates.
“Receiving this award is not the result of my actions but the result of my teammates, because they're the ones who inspire me to stand face-to-face with my opponents,” he said.
Romero said the Academy athletic programs help cadets develop a sense of duty and create a family environment on and off the field.
“We are pushed by our coaches to keep positive and motivated by our peers to never quit, which makes for family that gets the job done,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud to receive this award.”