DES MOINES, Iowa -- Two notable former Drake University student-athletes will be honored by Drake Athletics with the Double D Award on Friday, April 28 during the 2023 Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom.

Sam Powell, a former Drake men's basketball player, and Amy (Thompson) Ohde, a former Bulldog softball player, will be presented the award for their athletic accomplishments at Drake and their continued success in their careers and communities.

The Double D award is presented to former Drake athletes for achievements in their professions and or community service since earning their degrees from Drake. Since its inception in 1968, the Double D honor has now been presented to 256 former Drake letter winners, including Powell and Ohde.

Both recipients will be honored at a reception and ceremony held on Friday, April 28 from 4 – 5 p.m. at the Courtside Club in the Shivers Basketball Practice Facility.










Sam Powell '91
For over 25 years, Sam Powell has been a well-recognized leader in the Greater Des Moines Community. Powell grew up on the west side of Chicago and chose to continue his basketball career at Drake over 20 other NCAA Division-I offers. Powell graduated from Drake in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and criminology.
 
He has been passionate about helping at-risk youth improve their lives, and his work has led him to many leadership roles within the community at places such as Orchard Place Child Guidance/Pace, Oakridge Neighborhood Services, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa. Powell's current role is the Intake Supervisor at Juvenile Court Services.
 
In 2015, Powell was awarded the MLK Making a Difference Award for his outstanding contributions to the community. In addition to that honor, he was recognized in February of 2023 at the Iowa State Capitol by the Iowa Chapter of the Black & African American Connection Employee Resource Network for his contribution and excellence in advancing equity and inclusion within the community.
 
Most know Powell for his outstanding contributions to girls basketball in the state of Iowa.
 
Powell spent 12 years as the head girls basketball coach at Des Moines East High School. In November of 2022, the Des Moines School Board voted unanimously to rename the East High School Gymnasium to "Sam L. Powell Court" in a ceremony scheduled for May 6, 2023.
 
He will be the first African American in the history of the Des Moines Public Schools to have an athletic facility named in their honor. Powell is the only African American Coach to win a state title in Iowa girls basketball history.
 

Amy (Thompson) Ohde '98
Amy Ohde is currently the Executive Director of Launch Support at Chick-fil-A. Her department is responsible for Chick-fil-A's Leadership Development Program, leading Company Operated Restaurants, launching domestic & international Chick-fil-A Restaurants, as well as leading Chick-fil-A's Field Talent Staff (comprised of 3-4,000 trainers across the country).
 
She was a catcher on the Drake softball team from 1995-98. Ohde received her bachelor's degree from Drake University in 1998 and currently serves on the Drake University Board of Trustees.  
 
During her time at Chick-fil-A, she has worked directly with Chick-fil-A Operators consulting them on their leadership, people, sales & brand growth, financial stewardship and quality & customer experience. Ohde became the first female consultant at Chick-fil-A to start as a consultant and work her way up to director.  She was one of six Regional Directors of Field Operations for Chick-fil-A, Inc.
 
Ohde has over 20 years of experience in business management, where she has influenced processes, development and vision.  
 
Prior to Chick-fil-A, Ohde was a partner in starting a medical staffing company based in Chicago. She worked as the Staffing Operations Manager where she oversaw employee payroll and client invoicing, created an employee benefit package, and developed the company's operational strategic plan.
 
She has been married to her husband Mark for 22 years and is a mom to Allison (18) and Ryan (16).

For information about attending the 2023 Double D Award Ceremony on April 28, or joining the Drake D-Club, please email BulldogClub@drake.edu.