DAPHNE, Ala. — Many people exhibit America’s ideals of diversity and dreams, but few will receive the National Ethnic Coalition's Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Thomas Rosandich, president of the United States Sports Academy on U.S. Highway 98, however, is among the chosen ones.

The medal — established in 1986, and which pays tribute to the immigrant experience and individual achievement — has been awarded to past presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, along with athletes Muhammad Ali and Arnold Palmer. The honor is recognized by the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, and the names of all winners are listed in the Congressional Record.

Rosandich fits the mold in many ways. His parents — Croatian immigrants who settled in Sheboygan Falls, Wisc. — taught him that hard work pays off, a lesson that he cites for much of his success.

Earlier in life, Rosandich had served in the Marine Corps, where he became more aware of diverse cultures, he said.

“I suspect it (international mindedness) goes back to the Marine Corps, where I learned about other cultures and people and became fascinated by it,” he said.

He also had joined the U.S. State Department’s “Ambassadors of Sport” program, where he coached athletes in more than 50 countries, the first of which was Laos.

His love for cultural diversity found a partner in his love of sports. Rosandich participated in track and football while attending the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, and was inducted to the school’s Wall of Fame in 1983. While in the service, he coached and consulted in the Olympic Games from 1956 to 1996; he also served as all-marine track and field coach and all-service coach for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

Rosandich, in a list of several achievements, also formed the first Indonesian Peace Corps, which he turned into a sport corps in the 1960s, according to an academy news release.

He founded Daphne’s American Sport Art Museum and Archives in 1984 and the United States Sports Academy, also in the Jubilee City, in 1986.

The endeavor has resulted in international teaching opportunities and Web-based classes for all courses at the university.

“It’s like top-seed; it grows and grows and grows — over 60 countries we have taught in,” he said.

He believes sports play a large role in everyday life.

“Sport is a great common denominator,” he said. In the ’50s and ’60s — when many new nations were getting their independence — what did they do first? Raise their flag at the United Nations and join the Olympics.”

His many pursuits will culminate on Saturday, when he’ll be in the company of other award recipients. A National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations spokesperson did not return phone calls, but the Bulletin has learned that Randy Owen, lead singer of Alabama, will be among the recipients.

Rosandich will travel to New York Harbor for the awards ceremony with his wife, Sally, and Nicky, his youngest of six children.

“I’m obviously honored by the award and I’m happy for my mother and father who landed in Ellis Island from Croatia,” he said. “This is still the land of opportunity. They worked hard, they raised a family and we (siblings) were all successful in our ways. “It shows the opportunity everyone has in this country.”