The Yale Athletic Department's presentation of the George H.W. Bush Lifetime of Leadership Award honors alumni athletes who, in their lives after Yale, have made significant leadership contributions in their worlds of governance, commerce, science and technology, education, public service, and the arts and media. The Award has been named in recognition of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States of America, as the living epitome of one who has successfully and selflessly committed a lifetime to address the diverse global leadership demands of his generation. Each honoree is chosen by a broadly representative alumni Honors Committee, based upon the candidates' individual lifetime leadership contributions in their respective fields. All have been graduated for more than 20 years and exemplify Yale's rich athletic heritage as an important component of the undergraduate educational experience. The awards have been presented at the biennial Blue Leadership Ball the night before the Yale/Harvard football game, an event that brings together over 700 alumni and friends of Yale Athletics.