Each year, the Dedman College of Hospitality confers the Cecil B. Day Ethics Award upon a highly successful hospitality industry leader, who is recognized for ethical leadership.
Cecil B. Day was known for his unshakeable commitment to faith-based values. To him, that meant treating everyone - from the modest employee to the shrewdest banker - with dignity and respect. In 1970, Day opened the first Days Inn with the goal of providing travelers with clean, comfortable, moderately priced rooms and restaurants. By the time he passed away eight years later, he owned more than 300 Days Inns in the U.S. and Canada. His family sold the company for $639 million.
In 2007, Clint Day, Cecil’s son and a 1982 Florida State graduate, established the Cecil B. Day Ethics Award in partnership with the Cecil B. Day family and Florida State University in cooperation with the National Restaurant Association.
2025 Cecil B. Day Ethics Award Recipient
Brian A. Ford Jr.
Chief Operating Officer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brian A. Ford Jr., chief operating officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a graduate of the Dedman College of Hospitality, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Cecil B. Day Ethics Award.
A respected figure in sports hospitality, Ford has spent nearly two decades shaping one of the NFL’s top fan experiences. Since joining the Buccaneers in 2006, he has led the team’s day-to-day business operations and helped maintain their long-standing No. 1 ranking in NFL customer service. Under his leadership, the Buccaneers have earned top honors in the league’s annual Voice of the Fan report four times in the past five seasons.
Ford’s leadership philosophy is grounded in humility, service, and a deep commitment to his community. For 18 seasons, he has dedicated himself to honoring military members—organizing game-day experiences for service members and their families, and supporting veterans transitioning to civilian careers. In 2024, he was nominated for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award in recognition of these efforts.
A Miramar native, Ford serves on advisory boards for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay, and Special Olympics Florida. As a long-time supporter of the Cut for a Cure campaign, he has helped raise more than $110,000 for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
Ford earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration from Florida State University in 1989. He was inducted into the Dedman College Hall of Fame in 2018 and currently serves on the college’s Dean’s Council.
Ford’s dedication to ethical leadership and his commitment to excellence reflect the core values of Dedman College. He will be honored during a ceremony on Aug. 28, 2025.
Past Recipients
| Year | Recipient | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | John Rivers | 4 Rivers Smokehouse |
| 2023 | Frank J. Del Rio | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings |
| 2022 | Ralph Brennan | Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group |
| 2021 | José Andrés | ThinkFoodGroup / World Central Kitchen |
| 2020 | Charles 'Chuck' Drury, Jr. | Drury Hotels |
| 2019 | Christopher Nassetta | Hilton |
| 2018 | Sheila C. Johnson | Salamander Hotels & Resorts |
| 2017 | Dan T. Cathy | Chick-fil-A |
| 2016 | Cheryl Bachelder | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen |
| 2015 | Robert B. Rowling | TRT Holdings, Inc. |
| 2014 | Joel Manby | Herschend Family Entertainment |
| 2013 | Eric Affeldt | ClubCorp |
| 2012 | J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr. | Marriott International Inc. |
| 2011 | Richard Rivera | Real Mex Restaurants Inc. |
| 2010 | Michael Kaufman | National Restaurant Association |
| 2009 | Horst Schulze | Capella Hotel Group |
| 2008 | Craig Miller | Sonic Drive-In |
| 2007 | Truett Cathy | Chick-fil-A |