JOURNAL SPORTS
Victor Glover has come a long way since he was a standout quarterback and running back and was named “Athlete of the Year” for 1993-94 at Ontario (Cal.) High School.
All the way to the moon and back.
Glover, who was the pilot of NASA’s Artemis II mission to orbit the moon in early April, has been named recipient of the 2026 Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award and will be honored at the 50th anniversary Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl next month.
Since the 2nd Independence Bowl in 1977, the Independence Bowl Foundation has honored one of the United States’ most outstanding and decorated citizens and groups with the Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award, named after the award’s first recipient, World War II hero General Bradley.
“Victor Glover’s leadership, bravery and dedication to serving our country both in uniform and in space exemplify the true essence of the Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award,” said Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Keith Burton. “His historic accomplishments with NASA’s Artemis II mission and throughout his decorated career inspire us all, and we are deeply honored to recognize his extraordinary service at the 50th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.”
Glover recently piloted NASA’s Artemis II mission April 1-11 to and from the moon. The crew launched on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket inside the Orion spacecraft, callsign Integrity, completing a nearly 10-day journey that took them 252,756 miles from home, their farthest distance from Earth.
Glover is an emeritus NASA Astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain, selected as an astronaut in 2013 while serving as a Legislative Fellow in the U.S. Senate. He piloted the Crew-1 Dragon spacecraft, callsign Resilience, to the International Space Station, where he was a Flight Engineer for Expedition 64/65. Glover spent a total of 178 days in space, completing four spacewalks and several scientific, maintenance and outreach activities.
Glover was a Naval Aviator and was a test pilot in the F/A-18 Hornet, Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler and has flown over 45 aircraft, accumulating over 4000 hours. He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and NASA Space Exploration Medal.
A native Californian, Glover received his Bachelor of Science in General Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, his Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University, and his Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Glover has also been awarded honorary Doctor of Science degrees from California Poly and Howard University.
Glover spent a season (1996) as a defensive back for the Cal Poly football team and also wrestled at the school.
Bradley, the nation’s only living 5-star general at the time, received the Spirit of Independence Award in 1977.
Since the award’s inception, this honor has been bestowed upon outstanding American citizens and organizations. Some past recipients include John Wayne, Bob Hope, President Ronald Reagan, Vietnam and World War II Veterans, 9/11 Heroes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and more recently – Brigadier General Jeannie M. Leavitt, retired Air Force General James M. Kowalski, retired Army Lieutenant General Joseph M. Cosumano, the Veterans of Operation Senior Surprise, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, General Bryan P. Fenton and General (Ret.) Charles A. Flynn.
Glover will be honored at halftime of the 50th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, which hits the field Tuesday, December 22, in primetime at 7:30 p.m. CST on ESPN.