DES MOINES, Iowa – A former Drake University student-athlete will be honored by Drake Athletics with the prestigious Double D Award on Friday, April 26 during a reception and ceremony. 
 
Louis Carr, a former Drake track & field athlete, will be presented the award for his athletic accomplishments at Drake and his continued success in his professional career, community engagement, and philanthropy. 
 
Louis will be honored inside Drake Stadium during the Friday day session of Drake Relays. There will be a reception and ceremony for Louis, on Friday, April 26 from 4-5 p.m. in the Schickler Club. 
 
Since his time running on a world record-breaking high school mile relay and fulfilling a four-year track scholarship at Drake, Carr has been using his 1974-78 B.A. in Broadcast Journalism to better the world around him. 
 
Carr is currently the President of Media Sales at Black Entertainment Television (BET) Networks, and one of the most influential and prominent professionals in the media and advertising industries. He also founded the Louis Carr Internship Foundation in 2003 in an effort to improve diversity through a paid summer program that has helped 270 students of color gain valuable professional experience. More than 65 of those young professionals have secured full-time jobs in the ever-growing communications industry. 

 
In addition, Carr was named a 2023 Advertising Hall of Fame Inductee and launched the brand Waymaker in 2021 to help people expand their opportunities and change their communities through inspiration, provided direction, and wisdom.  
 
He currently is serving on the board of the Video Advertising Board (VAB), the United States Track and Field Foundation (USATF), and the Drake University Board of Trustees.
 
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 257 former Drake letter winners, including Carr this year.  
 
For information about attending the 2024 Double D Award Ceremony on April 26, or joining the Drake D-Club, please email BulldogClub@drake.edu.