In September 2014, King's College instituted the presentation of the Father Patrick J. Sullivan Award. The award honors Father Sullivan, C.S.C., a Holy Cross Priest; a community leader for the working family, a professor of sociology; and the former King's College Sociology Department Chairman during the 1960's.  Father Sullivan was an essential leader in the development and growth of the greater King's College Community.                        

King's College was founded to educate the sons of miners who worked in the coalfields of Pennsylvania.  Father Patrick Sullivan truly personified the King's mission.  He championed the cause of hard-working men and women and fought for fair treatment of working families.

Known affectionately as "Sully" by those he mentored and supervised at Hafey-Marian Hall, Father Sullivan also combined fairness and compassion with discipline when dealing with those in his charge.  This award was established through the efforts of former King's football players, many of whom lived at Hafey-Marian Hall during Father Sullivan's tenure.

The award is presented to a junior or senior member of the football team who has a strong moral compass, demonstrates hard work, discipline, and leadership as a member of the King's College football team, and who reflects the stated values of the greater King's College and Holy Cross communities.

The choice of a junior or senior is done with the intention that the recipient has been and will continue to be an example to those who follow, and that the award-winner may assist in developing a worthy recipient for the successive year.  The input of teammates, football coaches, Holy Cross Religious, and the athletic department will be considered, and the head football coach will make the final selection.        

The award is presented annually before the King's College Homecoming football game.            

The first winner of the Sullivan Award in 2014 was senior defensive back Kris Matthews. Matthews was a three-year starter and team captain as a senior.  

Yearly Winners
2014 - Kris Matthews, DB
2015 - Chad Curtice, LB
2016 - Tyler Mejasic, DB
2017 - Jacoby Foresman, DL
2018 - Ben Bakanas, OL
2019 - Joe Damiano, OL
2021 - Mike Karycinski, DL
2022 - Gabe Fattizzi, OL
2023 - Nate McGlone, OL