ADA – Jay Allbaugh is the 2011 recipient of the Milam Award.

Allbaugh, a 1978 East Central University graduate, will receive the annual award on Saturday at halftime of ECU’s home football game with Arkansas-Monticello.

The kickoff is set for 4 p.m.

The Milam Award is given out each year at homecoming to a former ECU football player who has distinguished himself in his chosen career. The award is named in honor of Joe Milam, who was a former educator and coach in the states of Oklahoma and Texas.

Allbaugh was a three-year starting offensive lineman for the Tigers while earning one honorable mention All-American award. He earned all-conference honors in 1976 and 1977 and was a team captain his senior year

After receiving his degree in communications from ECU in 1974, Allbaugh obtained his master’s degree in communications from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.

He is a life-long government and public affairs professional. He began his political career in Oklahoma, serving as a legislative assistant to the late U.S. Senator Dewey Bartlett. From there, and for a number of years, he established and directed a successful cable television lobby organization in Oklahoma City.

For the past 12 years, Allbaugh has been the vice president of government and public affairs for Cox Communications in Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Idaho where he manages local, state and federal government affairs initiatives for Cox. In his role, he also oversees the public affairs and community partnerships for Cox in the Central Region.

Allbaugh currently serves as past Chair of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is also a board member of the Cable Television Associations in Arkansas, Kansas and Nebraska.

He is a native of Blackwell, Okla., and enjoys trips to Colorado to visit his daughter Lauren and son-in-law Tim.