Dixon Rams high school and youth football players receive Black Lion Leadership Awards at Dixon VFW Post 8151-District 16. Photo by Troy Fry, Head Peewee Football Coach

DIXON, CA (MPG) – On Dec.18, one Dixon Rams High School football player and five Dixon Rams youth football players were recognized as leaders and an example for others to follow on and off the field. Their character, leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and concern for their teams ahead of themselves has exemplified the character of Major Don Holleder, former West Point All-American football player who died in combat in Vietnam on Oct.17, 1967 and the men of the Black Lions, the 28th Infantry Regiment, who died with him that day.

Each year, all across America, the Black Lion Award is presented by high school and youth football coaches to the players on their teams who best exemplifies the character of Major Don Holleder: leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and above all, an unselfish concern for the team ahead of him or herself. 

In what was described as "Blaik's Folly," Don Holleder, a first team All-American end on the 1954 West Point football team, was converted to quarterback prior to his senior year. Holleder had never played in the backfield in high school or college. This decision meant that all chances of Holleder becoming a two-time All American were lost. Coach Blaik's faith in Holleder's leadership was confirmed when he led his Army team to victory over a heavily favored Navy squad. 

Although drafted by the New York Giants, Holleder chose to follow the Army career for which West Point had prepared him. In Vietnam he carried the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Purple Heart and two awards for valor, the Soldier's medal and America's second highest award for combat heroism, the Distinguished Service Cross. 

On Oct. 17, 1967, Major Don Holleder sacrificed his life for others when he was cut down by enemy fire while racing onto an active battlefield in an attempt to evacuate wounded soldiers. 

In 1985, Major Don Holleder was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In 1988, in his honor, West Point renamed its winter sports facility the Holleder Center. In 2011, Terry Tibbetts published “A Spartan Game,” a biography of Major Don Holleder.  

Major Don Holleder's name lives on in the Black Lion Award, established in memory of him and the men of the Black Lions that made the ultimate sacrifice for our great country. Major Don Holleder's family graciously approved the Black Lion nominations submitted by Dixon Rams High School and Youth Football coaches. Dixon High School Football player Max Graef, Dixon Mighty Mite Football player Chase Scott, Peewee Players Mason James and Carli Besseghini, Junior Midget player Josh Besseghini, and Midget player Selemaia Katoa all received Black Lion Award honors, which included a certificate, and the same Black Lion squadron patch wore by our past American heroes. The West Point football team also awards one football player with this honor annually and they receive the same depicted Black Lion patch for their game jersey. 

The Dixon Rams High School football and youth football and cheer organization are proud of the award recipients and honored to participate in the Black Lion Award program. Dixon football and cheer would like to thank the Holleder family, Black Lion Program Administer/ Coach Hugh Wyatt, Dixon Mayor Steve Bird, Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams, Army National Guardsmen Sterling Koliba and Dixon VFW Post 8151, District 16 Commander Cecil Dennings for their assistance in honoring our outstanding young men and women.