Since 1948, the Sugar Bowl has honored the most outstanding player in each game, using votes of the sportswriters and sportscasters covering the game. The award was established initially as a memorial to Warren V. Miller, the first president of the Bowl. In 1959, the name of the trophy was changed to the Miller-Digby Memorial Trophy, following the death of Fred J. Digby, one of the founders and the first general manager of the Bowl.