The UT Development Council established this award in 2007 to recognize exceptional service in the advancement of excellence at UT. Charlie Brinkley, a UT Knoxville business administration graduate, was the first (2007) recipient.
Brinkley was a member of the Development Council, had served on the Alumni Association Board of Governors, the UT Athletics Board, and the UT Foundation. He and his wife, Sherry, established a charitable remainder trust to benefit athletics and the College of Business. Brinkley was a banker who started a number of community banks throughout Florida.