Former Badger Troy Vincent recognized for outstanding public service work

Troy Vincent, a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback who played football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, was one of those chosen nationally to receive a 2012 Jefferson Award.

Known as the “Nobel Prize for public service,” the Jefferson Awards honor extraordinary individuals and companies whose profound achievements and commitment to their communities are making the world a better place to live.

Vincent’s dedication to community outreach and personal commitment to helping the underserved has always been one of his highest priorities. That dedication won him this year’s award for outstanding public service by an athlete.

Vincent and his wife Tommi founded Love Thy Neighbor, a community development corporation that has awarded close to $500,000 in college scholarships to inner-city students and provides other programs in fatherhood mentoring, educational training and support and community service. 

Vincent, who is the National Football League’s vice president of player engagement, was chosen in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft and debuted for the Miami Dolphins. He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins.

UW-Madison also had a local Jefferson Award winner this year in Darrell Bazzell, vice chancellor for administration, who was honored for his community service work.

Bazzell is on the board for the Urban League, United Way, president of Gathering Waters and president of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County Board. Bazzell was nominated for the award by Michael Johnson, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County.

For 15 years, Bazzell has volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Dane County.