NEW YORK — Esteemed basketball coaches and athletic figures are set to receive the prestigious Joe Lapchick Character Award this year. Recognizing significant contributions and upholding exemplary character, the award will honor Geno Auriemma, Phil Martelli, Gene Steratore, and Frank McLaughlin.
Geno Auriemma, renowned for his outstanding coaching career, has led UConn’s women’s basketball team to remarkable achievements, boasting 11 national championships. His tenure with the team has witnessed an impressive NCAA record of 1,239 victories over 40 years. Beyond the court, Auriemma ensures that his players succeed academically, characterized by a perfect 100% graduation rate among those who stay for four years.
A long-standing friendship with Phil Martelli traces back to when Auriemma worked as an assistant under Martelli at Bishop Kenrick High School. Martelli played a pivotal role in recommending Auriemma for a coaching position at Virginia, which paved the way for Auriemma’s storied career at UConn, starting in 1986.
Martelli himself has had an illustrious career, serving as head coach at Saint Joseph’s for 24 seasons. Under his leadership, the Hawks reached the NCAA Tournament seven times, with a notable performance in 2004 where his team advanced to the Elite Eight following an undefeated regular season. This significant achievement earned him the AP Coach of the Year title, as he amassed 444 career wins.
Gene Steratore, recognized for his role as a Division I men’s basketball official, officiated numerous games from 1997 to 2018 in top conferences such as the Big East, Big Ten, and Atlantic 10. Notably, he officiated two Sweet 16 games in the NCAA Tournament. Steratore also provides insightful rule explanations on CBS broadcasts during March Madness and has fulfilled similar duties in the NFL, where he served as an official for 15 seasons.
Frank McLaughlin, another worthy recipient, had a longstanding career at Fordham University, serving as the athletic director from 1985 until 2012. Afterward, he transitioned to associate vice president of student affairs for athletic alumni relations and external affairs, before retiring in 2023. Earlier in his career, McLaughlin was the head coach at Harvard from 1977 to 1985, leading the team to a commendable 15-9 record in his final season.
The Joe Lapchick Character Award, now in its 17th year, is a tribute to the values embodied by Lapchick, a former coach at St. John’s and with the New York Knicks. Auriemma, Martelli, Steratore, and McLaughlin will be formally acknowledged at a special luncheon in New York on September 19.
