Hall of Fame
JAY ADAMS (Distinguished Member • ERAU Board of Trustee Emeritus)
John Carter "Jay" Adams is the second honoree to be inducted into the Distinguished Member category, following in the footsteps of former University President Dr. Steve Sliwa.
Adams played an integral role in moving the Embry-Riddle campus from Miami to its current home in Daytona Beach in 1965. He became a member of Embry-Riddle's Board of Trustees in 1968 and during his time, he served as the Board Chairman and chaired numerous board committees. Adams has also held leadership roles in all of the University's capital campaigns, including the construction of the ICI Center, University Sports Complex and the Crotty Tennis Complex
Adams spent 50 years in the insurance industry and recently retired from Brown and Brown Insurance where he was an Executive Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee. He became involved with the Eagles' Athletic program when it first began in 1988 and his membership in the Eagle Athletic Association booster club later grew into a position on the booster club board.
When he joined the board of Brown & Brown in 1999, he immediately saw the value of both Embry-Riddle and Brown & Brown working together. That vision ultimately led to the Champions of Character Scholarship program and the growth of a relationship that has led to the hiring of numerous Embry-Riddle student-athletes in full time and internship positions with one of the largest and most respected independent insurance intermediaries in the nation.
A 1958 graduate of the University of Florida, Adams was conferred with an honorary Doctorate degree from Embry-Riddle in May 2008. He continues to be actively involved with the ERAU Board of Trustees as an Emeritus Board member.
The Hall of Fame Induction is one of many honors bestowed on Adams who has received the Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce "Man of the Year" Award, the Herbert M. Davidson Community Service Award from the United Way Foundation and the Annual Community Champion Award presented by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Volusia and Flagler Counties. He was also honored at ERAU's Charting Our Course event in 2006, which celebrated his legacy of leadership and service to the University.
"Jay's fondness and love for the Eagle Athletic program has been evident since the intercollegiate athletics program began in 1988-89. He has served on the Eagle Athletic Association booster club board, helped in supporting and casting the vision and growth over the last two decades, assisted in numerous fund-raising efforts, and can be seen sitting in the crowd and cheering on the Eagles at most home basketball games."
Dr. John P. Johnson
President, Embry-Riddle University
"Jay's mentorship has been invaluable as he has stood by our side guiding our leadership team, and the athletic program, to the success it has become today. His dedication to the University and the athletic program extends directly to our student-athletes through his many donations to scholarships, campaigns, projects, and especially his time.
The University and the athletic program, along with our student-athletes, have benefitted from his experience, professionalism, counsel, leadership and integrity."
Steve Ridder
Head Men's Basketball Coach, Embry-Riddle University
"I can personally attest to his passion and dedication to the Embry-Riddle athletic program. Jay was instrumental in getting me involved with the program over the years and through that involvement, I too became a fan and supporter. Brown & Brown is proud to have hired many former student-athletes who embody the integrity, values and work ethic that we value so highly as a company.
Brown & Brown is a proud supporter of the Champions of Character scholarship program at Embry-Riddle. It was through Jay's efforts that our company became supportive and involved with creating this scholarship that supports the best and brightest student-athletes at Embry-Riddle."
Linda Downs
Chief Operating Office, Brown & Brown Insurance
"Jay's commitment to Embry-Riddle is well known, as there are endowed scholarships and a building on campus bearing his name. Certainly it is hard to imagine a basketball game on campus without Jay and Leila Adams in attendance.
During my tenure on campus Jay was one of the top donors and fundraisers for the university. We certainly valued the funds that he either personally contributed and/or helped to raise to support our students and athletics activities. But where Jay excelled beyond compare was in his "friend-raising" – especially for Athletics. He was continually reaching out to community leaders and personally inviting them to our games or special events. He took great pride in introducing them to our coaches, athletes and students. I can attest that the community support we experience for our Athletics program today can be traced back, in no small part, to Jay's efforts over decades of personal one-on-one friend-raising."
Dr. Steven M. Sliwa
Embry-Riddle President – 1991-98
ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2013
