Virgil Hill receives North Dakota’s highest civilian honor
KFGO
October 31, 2023
BISMARCK, N.D.–Five-time world champion Virgil Hill stepped into the Bismarck Event Center boxing ring one more time Monday to receive the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award from Gov. Doug Burgum.
Hill is the 48th recipient of the Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest commendation for its citizens.
He called the Rough Rider Award the biggest award that he ever received.
“I won five world titles; I gave all my belts away. I won a silver medal; I gave that away, too. I’m not giving this one away,” he said. “I’m very proud and very honored that you guys thought that I was worthy of this (award), and thank you.”
Hill credited the work ethic he learned in North Dakota for his success.
