The “Robert J. Sinnott ’81 Award” was created in 2021 to honor the legacy of Dr. Robert J. Sinnott through gifts from family and friends. The award was created in conjunction with the “Robert J. Sinnott ’81 Endowed Fund” (the Fund). Both the Award and the Fund were established to recognize and perpetuate the characteristics, in Lycoming’s student-athletes, that Dr. Sinnott has exemplified at Lycoming, during his career, and throughout his life.
At Lycoming, Dr. Sinnott majored in biology, joined Sigma Pi fraternity, and was a four-year member of the football team winning MAC Championships in 1978 and 1979. He was elected co-captain of the 1980 team his senior year and was named All-ECAC and All-MAC at the linebacker position. Dr. Sinnott was Lycoming’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1980 and was recognized academically with the Byron C. Brunstetter Science Award at graduation. Dr. Sinnott was elected to the Lycoming Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.
Dr. Sinnott continued his education at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in 1985 with a doctorate in osteopathic medicine (DO). He became the Chief of Colon-Rectal Surgery at the Lehigh Valley Health Network and the program director of the network’s residency in colon-rectal surgery. Dr. Sinnott and his wife, Patricia, have four grown children: Matthew, Patrick, Steve, and Kathleen.
In 2018, Dr. Sinnott was diagnosed with ALS. Throughout his battle to fight the disease, Dr. Sinnott has exemplified: courage, character, integrity, determination, love, leadership, and an unwavering work ethic. These traits and attributes are the embodiment of a Lycoming Warrior.
The Robert J. Sinnott ’81 Award was established to recognize a student-athlete who has excelled at Lycoming in the areas of athletics and academics and has exemplified the qualities of character, courage, and determination.
Criteria:
• A student-athlete who has made significant contributions to the success of his or her team will be a primary factor for consideration.
• A student-athlete who has excelled in the area of academics, being in good standing with the institution, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher will be a primary factor for consideration.
• A student-athlete who has demonstrated personal character traits of the highest caliber as a part of their team, through their involvement on campus, or through personal experiences.
