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 Galvin2023 Mike Tinkey2022 Allison George2021 Del Ratcliff2020 Rock Lucas2019 Kathy Aznavorian2018 Peter Hill2017 Linda Rogers2016 Bill Aragona2015 Anne Lyndrup2014 Mike Hughes2013 Jim Hinckley2012 Jeff Hoag2011 Dan Clark2010 Meriam Leeke2009 Henry DeLozier2008 Larry Giustina2007 Marcel Welling2006 Walter Lankau, Jr.2005 Bill Stine2004 NGCOA Founding Members2003 Clay Brittain2002 Jerry Hollingsworth2001 Mark Seabrook2000 Curt Walker1999 Michael Muetzel1998 The Scott Family1997 Peter Trenchard1996 Vince Alfonso, Jr.1995 Cecil McKay1994 Fred Tingle1993 Gibson Lunt1992 Scott Krause1991 Bailey Trull