Man of the Year

Titan of the Horse Racing World Brother D. Wayne Lukas Named Man of the Year!

The Supreme Executive Committee is excited to announce Titan of the Horse Racing World Brother D. Wayne Lukas (Beta-Epsilon, University of Wisconsin-Madison, ’55) has been selected as 2024 Man of the Year. Lukas is recognized not only for his groundbreaking contributions to the sport but also for his unwavering passion, innovation in training methods, and success over decades of competition. He is the 91st member of Kappa Sigma to receive this distinguished honor, which is presented annually in recognition of extraordinary professional success and societal impact.

Brother Lukas was initiated into the Beta-Epsilon Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on November 17, 1955. Initially, he pursued a career in education, earning a Master’s degree and coaching as an Assistant for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and high school basketball. However, his true passion led him to the racetrack, and in 1968, he began his training career with quarter horses.

Brother D. Wayne Lukas’ journey from a small Wisconsin farm to the pinnacle of horse racing is a testament to dedication and excellence. Lukas has had tremendous Triple Crown success, securing four Kentucky Derby wins, seven Preakness Stakes victories, including the 2024 Preakness, and four Belmont Stakes titles. Nicknamed “The Coach,” Lukas has had a number of protégés and a legacy of mentoring and inspiring others, and he continues to be an icon in the sport. He also set records with 20 Breeders’ Cup wins and was the Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Trainer in 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1994. Lukas was also the first trainer to surpass $100 million and then $200 million in career purse earnings. Inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1999, Lukas became the first person inducted into the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Halls of Fame in 2007. Through 2024, Lukas has won 4,934 races (No. 9 all-time) with purse earnings of $292,948,606 (No. 6 all-time). In May 2024, Lukas became the oldest trainer at 88 to win a Triple Crown race when Seize the Grey won the Preakness. 

Join us as we honor Brother Lukas at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Kentucky on June 28, 2025. 

The Kappa Sigma Man of the Year Award has been awarded annually since 1939. The award recognizes a Brother who has set an example which some may equal but none excel in his personal and professional life. The achievement of such success by Kappa Sigmas brings glory to the Order and demonstrates the enduring impact of the Kappa Sigma experience. Recipients of the Man of the Year award and their Chapters each receive a special plaque and are recognized at Kappa Sigma International Headquarters.

The Kappa Sigma Man of the Year Award has been awarded annually since 1939. The award recognizes a Brother who has set an example which some may equal but none excel in his personal and professional life. The achievement of such success by Kappa Sigmas brings glory to the Order and demonstrates the enduring impact of the Kappa Sigma experience. Recipients of the Man of the Year award and their Chapters each receive a special plaque and are recognized at Kappa Sigma International Headquarters.

Past Kappa Sigma Man of the Year

Recognition NameStudent UniversityStudent ChapterAward Date
Darrell W. Lukas University of Wisconsin-Madison Beta-Epsilon 2024-12-06
Craig D. Melvin Wofford College Alpha-Nu 2023-11-09
Jerry L. Wadkins, Jr. Wake Forest University Delta-Omega 2022-03-21
Lloyd H. Carr, Jr. University of Missouri Beta-Gamma 2021-07-12
James F. DeBerry Wofford College Alpha-Nu 2021-07-12
Honorable Robert J. Dole University of Kansas Gamma-Omicron 2020-07-12
James W. Stuckert University of Kentucky Beta-Nu 2019-12-22
Chris B. Harrison Oklahoma City University Theta-Psi 2018-12-22
Bert B. Beveridge The University of Texas at Austin Tau 2017-12-22
Michael E. O'Malley University of New Hampshire Beta-Kappa 2016-11-16
Robert D. Burck The University of Texas at Austin Tau 2015-01-01
Craig R. Barrett Stanford University Beta-Zeta 2014-01-01
William E. Gortney, USN Elon University Lambda-Lambda 2013-07-01
William D. Wittliff The University of Texas at Austin Tau 2012-07-01
Brian J. O'Dwyer, Esq. The George Washington University Alpha-Eta 2011-01-01
James T. Morris Indiana University Beta-Theta 2010-01-01
Gary D. Forsee Missouri University of Science and Technology Beta-Chi 2009-01-01
Richard M. Burr Wake Forest University Delta-Omega 2008-01-01
Alan R. Mulally University of Kansas Gamma-Omicron 2007-01-01
Martin C. Petersen Arizona State University Rho 2006-01-01
George E. Perdue University of Georgia Beta-Lambda 2005-01-01
Michael L. Eskew Purdue University Chi 2004-01-01
Todd R. Wagner Indiana University Beta-Theta 2003-01-01
Paul V. Hester University of Mississippi Delta-Xi 2002-01-01
Paul E. Patton University of Kentucky Beta-Nu 2001-01-01
Raymond J. Lane, Jr. West Virginia University Gamma-Phi 2000-01-01
Col. Ronald J. Webb, USAF (Ret.) Indiana University Beta-Theta 1999-01-01
Philip S. Anderson, Jr. University of Arkansas Xi 1998-01-01
Pierson M. Grieve, Jr. Northwestern University Epsilon-Delta 1997-01-01
Richard E. Rainwater The University of Texas at Austin Tau 1996-01-01
Robert D. Krebs Stanford University Beta-Zeta 1995-01-01
Robert J. Eaton University of Kansas Gamma-Omicron 1994-01-01
John F. Smith, Jr. University of Massachusetts Amherst Gamma-Delta 1994-01-01
Jerral W. Jones University of Arkansas Xi 1993-01-01
Samuel Donaldson The University of Texas at El Paso Epsilon-Xi 1992-01-01
Dr. Russel L. Wiener Rhodes College Phi 1991-01-01
Euine F. Jones, Jr. University of Arkansas Xi 1990-01-01
Dante B. Fascell University of Miami Epsilon-Beta 1989-01-01
Addison M. Walker University of Missouri Beta-Gamma 1988-01-01
Robert W. Lundeen Oregon State University Gamma-Sigma 1987-01-01
Paul H. Henson University of Nebraska-Lincoln Alpha-Psi 1986-01-01
Lewis W. Lehr University of Nebraska-Lincoln Alpha-Psi 1985-01-01
Charles L. Massey, Jr. University of Arkansas Xi 1984-01-01
Fred M. Russell Vanderbilt University Kappa 1983-01-01
Larry M. Speakes University of Mississippi Delta-Xi 1982-01-01
John M. Allin, Sr. Sewanee: The University of the South Omega 1981-01-01
David C. Treen Tulane University Sigma 1980-01-01
Lee S. Dreyfus University of Wisconsin-Madison Beta-Epsilon 1979-01-01
William R. Hewlett Stanford University Beta-Zeta 1978-01-01
Richard F. Barry, III University of Miami Epsilon-Beta 1977-01-01
Ardeshir Zahedi Utah State University Epsilon-Kappa 1976-01-01
Dr. John W. Ryan The University of Utah Delta-Sigma 1975-01-01
John B. Kelly, Jr. University of Pennsylvania Alpha-Epsilon 1974-01-01
Joseph D. Waggonner, Jr. Louisiana Tech University Epsilon-Gamma 1973-01-01
Lamar Hunt Southern Methodist University Delta-Pi 1972-01-01
Edgar D. Mitchell Carnegie Mellon University Delta-Alpha 1971-01-01
Honorable Robert J. Dole University of Kansas Gamma-Omicron 1970-01-01
Samuel C. Phillips, USAF University of Wyoming Delta-Gamma 1969-01-01
James H. Binns University of Denver Beta-Omicron 1968-01-01
Benjamin S. Gilmer Auburn University Beta-Eta 1967-01-01
William A. Whitfield Iowa State University Gamma-Lambda 1966-01-01
Reno Odlin University of Washington Beta-Psi 1965-01-01
Denton A. Cooley The University of Texas at Austin Tau 1964-01-01
James B. Fisk Massachusetts Institute of Technology Gamma-Pi 1963-01-01
Paul J. Fannin University of Arizona Gamma-Rho 1962-01-01
John G. Tower Southwestern University Iota 1961-01-01
Spencer T. Olin Cornell University Alpha-Kappa 1960-01-01
John M. Olin Cornell University Alpha-Kappa 1960-01-01
Emmett B. McCracken Indiana University Beta-Theta 1959-01-01
Willard F. Rockwell, Jr. Pennsylvania State University Alpha-Delta 1958-01-01
Francis S. Van Derbur University of Denver Beta-Omicron 1957-01-01
Henry G. Symonds Stanford University Beta-Zeta 1956-01-01
Arnold M. Johnson The University of Chicago Gamma-Beta 1955-01-01
Thomas J. Williams University of Arkansas Xi 1954-01-01
Hoagland H. Carmichael Indiana University Beta-Theta 1953-01-01
Donald R. Mc Laughlin University of California, Los Angeles Delta-Nu 1952-01-01
Carey E. Kefauver The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Lambda 1951-01-01
Fred P. Corson, Ret Dickinson College Beta-Pi 1950-01-01
Cason J. Callaway University of Virginia Zeta 1949-01-01
Edwin P. Hubble The University of Chicago Gamma-Beta 1948-01-01
Beauford H. Jester The University of Texas at Austin Tau 1947-01-01
Ernest W. Goodpasture Vanderbilt University Kappa 1946-01-01
Clinton A. Pierce University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Alpha-Gamma 1945-01-01
Dwight H. Green Wabash College Alpha-Pi 1944-01-01
Roy C. Osgood The George Washington University Alpha-Eta 1943-01-01
Jack E. Manch Hampden-Sydney College Upsilon 1942-01-01
James H. Macia, Jr. University of Arizona Gamma-Rho 1942-01-01
Edward R. Murrow Washington State University Gamma-Mu 1941-01-01
Frederick H. Albee Bowdoin College Alpha-Rho 1940-01-01
Warren R. Austin, Jr. University of Vermont Alpha-Lambda 1939-01-01
Lowell J. Thomas University of Denver Beta-Omicron 1938-01-01
Cyrus R. Smith The University of Texas at Austin Tau 1937-01-01