PwC SMU Athletic Forum
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum was launched in 1989 as a community outreach initiative that brought individuals who have achieved extraordinary success in athletics to the Dallas community. In 2025, the forum has a reenergized vision to inspire excellence at the intersection of sports, business and leadership through a variety of events.
In 1989, the Doak Walker Award was established to honor the nation’s most outstanding collegiate running back. The award was named for Doak Walker, a three-time All-America selection at SMU and the 1948 Heisman Trophy Winner.
In 1998, with the support of PwC, the Doak Walker Legends Award was created to recognize an individual whose extraordinary collegiate football career has been bolstered by an exemplary record of leadership in the community. Candidates are nominated by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, and the recipient is selected by the Athletic Forum Board of Directors.
The forum is widely regarded as America’s preeminent sports luncheon series, producing two annual luncheons and two evening receptions, as well as the Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet. Proceeds from PwC SMU Athletic Forum events are used to support athletic scholarships and operating initiatives at SMU.
