On October 18, 2008, Earl Hesterberg ’75 became the 19th recipient of the Hendrix Award. The Ohio native was honored at a reception and ceremony before the Davidson football Wildcats took on Dayton.

Forty friends and family of Earl Hesterberg and guests of the Davidson Athletic Foundation joined in the Smith 900 room to celebrate the former offensive lineman’s accomplishments on the field and his service and success in years since. Athletic Director Jim Murphy gave a history of the Hendrix award and the excellence of past recipients and the importance of the award’s namesake. Hendrix Award winners are former football players who, by lessons learned on the field, have gone onto success in his personal career of choice.

Earl Hesterberg is no exception. President Tom Ross extolled the achievements of Hesterberg, emphasizing he has always been the model of a Davidson man whether he was wearing the number 58 jersey while on the football field, or cultivating his leadership skills in the classroom. As a football center, Hesterberg didn’t boast of any gaudy statistics. Like a good lineman should, Hesterberg selflessly placed the team’s success before his personal achievement. Ross explained that same resolute character also helped him to excel as a 33-year veteran of the automobile industry, working with three of the world’s greatest automobile companies: Ford, Toyota, and Nissan. Hesterberg currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 specialty retailer and a top five-dealer group in the U. S. market. As seen through his successful career, Hesterberg’s team-oriented work ethic has transcended from the football field to the work place.

After being presented the Hendrix award, Hesterberg spoke to those in the Smith 900 room about what it meant to play Davidson football and the life lessons that he learned through that experience. He fondly recalled his college days, the friendships that he made, and his experiences on the football field. The football team had great success during his four years. To get there, it took an exceptional will. As Hesterberg remembered, much of that credit was due to Coach Dave Fagg. Hesterberg’s acknowledgement of Coach Fagg further highlighted his “team before I” character that has served him while at Davidson and since.

Hesterberg was again recognized between the first and second quarters for all of the Davidson community to participate. On stage with Hesterberg were President Ross and Jim Murphy, who presented Hesterberg with the number 58 Davidson jersey in which he once played.

Biography of Earl Hesterberg
Biography of James P. Hendrix
History of the Hendrix Award

The Hendrix Award is sponsored by the Davidson Athletic Foundation.