- 1974 — Jim Bolding, athletics
- 1975 — Clinton Jackson, boxing
- 1976 — John Naber, swimming
- 1977 — Eric Heiden, speedskating
- 1978 — Bruce Davidson, equestrianism
- 1979 — Eric Heiden, speedskating
- 1980 — Eric Heiden, speedskating
- 1981 — Scott Hamilton, figure skating
- 1982 — Greg Louganis, diving
- 1983 — Rick McKinney, archery
- 1984 — Edwin Moses, athletics
- 1985 — Willie Banks, athletics
- 1986 — Matt Biondi, swimming
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- 1987 — Greg Louganis, diving
- 1988 — Matt Biondi, swimming
- 1989 — Roger Kingdom, athletics
- 1990 — John T. Smith, wrestling
- 1991 — Carl Lewis, athletics
- 1992 — Pablo Morales, swimming
- 1993 — Michael Johnson, athletics
- 1994 — Dan Jansen, speedskating
- 1995 — Michael Johnson, athletics
- 1996 — Michael Johnson, athletics
- 1997 — Pete Sampras, tennis
- 1998 — Jonny Moseley, skiing
- 1999 — Lance Armstrong, cycling
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- 2000 — Rulon Gardner, wrestling
- 2001 — Lance Armstrong, cycling
- 2002 — Lance Armstrong, cycling
- 2003 — Lance Armstrong, cycling
- 2004 — Michael Phelps, swimming
- 2005 — Hunter Kemper, triathlon
- 2006 — Joey Cheek, speed skating
- 2007 — Tyson Gay, athletics
- 2008 — Michael Phelps, swimming
- 2009 — Todd Lodwick, Nordic combined skiing
- 2010 — Evan Lysacek, figure skating
- 2011-12 — Michael Phelps, swimming
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