The Tradition of Excellence Award recognizes Heisman winners who have distinguished themselves in their chosen career and brought honor and distinction to the Heisman Trophy program.  Winners are nominated by the Heisman Trophy Trust and presented with the award by the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.  Ward is the 11th recipient of the award and the second recipient from the State of Florida.

“Charlie Ward is one of America’s great all-around athletes and a true gentleman.  We are honored to present him with the Tradition of Excellence Award,” said Larry Maneely, President of the Board of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.  “Throughout his career as an athlete, coach and community leader, Charlie has been a role-model to thousands, and quietly championed the values embodied in the Heisman.”

“Charlie Ward characterizes the competitive spirit, sportsmanship and integrity that are found among athletes from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Western Athletic Conference," said Kevin McDonald, Executive Director of the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl. "We are honored to join the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in welcoming Charlie to Boise, Idaho."

A model student-athlete at Florida State University, Ward won the 1993 Heisman as a quarterback on the way to leading the Seminoles to their first National Championship. In basketball, Ward was a leader on the floor leading FSU to the 1991-92 NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16.  He is a member of the Florida State University Football Hall of Fame and one of seven FSU football players to have their numbers retired.

Upon graduation, Ward was drafted by teams in the NFL and NBA and was selected as a pitcher in both the 1993 and 1994 Major League Baseball drafts.  He chose basketball after being selected by the New York Knicks in the first round (26^th pick overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft. He spent 10 of his 11-year NBA career as a point guard in New York, helping the Knicks reach the 1999 NBA finals.  Ward also played briefly with the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. 

He is currently an assistant coach for the varsity boy's basketball team at Westbury Christian High School in Houston, Texas.

Ward’s community service is extensive and includes dedication to youth advocacy, community outreach programs, and charitable volunteerism.  Throughout his career, the Thomasville, Ga. native has maintained involvement with many foundations and charities including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, HOPE worldwide, the Fannie Mae Foundation and the Giving Back Fund, which assists his aWard Foundation. He has also been a long-standing participant in the Starlight Foundation and the Garden's Cheering for Children Foundation.   

Others include the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Muscle Team Benefit, the First Choice Group (a grass roots organization that recruits and trains black and Latino professionals to be mentors) and the Services for the Undeserved benefit dinner, Children’s Miracle Network, Epilepsy Foundation, United Way, Say No to Drugs, American Heart Association and Police Athletic League.  An avid tennis player, Ward participated in the Arthur Ashe AIDS Tennis Challenge prior to the 1994 U.S. Open.  In 1998 he published the book "Winning By His Grace”.  

His awards are numerous and include 2006 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the 1993 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Maxwell Award, James E. Sullivan Award, Walter Camp Award and Davey O’Brien Award.  In 1999 he was named as one of The Sporting News' "Good Guys In Sports”.