Geno Auriemma and Phil Martelli are among the distinguished recipients of this year's Joe Lapchick Character Award. Joining them are Gene Steratore, a seasoned men's basketball official, and Frank McLaughlin, former Fordham athletic director.
Auriemma, renowned as the winningest coach in women's basketball history, has led the UConn Huskies to an impressive 11 national championships. With a remarkable 1,239 wins over his 40-year tenure at the school, Auriemma has set an NCAA record. Notably, his players boast a perfect 100% graduation rate, reflecting his commitment to both on and off-court success.
Martelli, with a coaching legacy spanning 24 seasons at Saint Joseph's, steered the Hawks to seven NCAA Tournament appearances. His 2004 team achieved an undefeated regular season, advancing to the Elite Eight before falling short in the East Regional Final. Martelli, honored as the AP Coach of the Year that season, accumulated 444 wins in his career.
Steratore, a respected Division I men's basketball official from 1997 to 2018, officiated in prestigious conferences such as the Big East, Big Ten, and Atlantic 10. His expertise extended to the NCAA Tournament, where he officiated two Sweet 16 games. Steratore's proficiency also shone in the NFL, where he officiated for 15 seasons and provided rule explanations on CBS broadcasts during March Madness.
McLaughlin, who served as Fordham's athletic director from 1985 to 2012, later assumed the role of associate vice president of student affairs for athletic alumni relations and external affairs/athletic director emeritus until his retirement in 2023. Prior to his administrative roles, McLaughlin coached the Harvard men's basketball team from 1977 to 1985.
The Joe Lapchick Character Award, now in its 17th year, recognizes individuals who embody Lapchick's esteemed character traits. Lapchick, known for his coaching stints at St. John’s and with the New York Knicks, left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire. The honorees will be celebrated at a luncheon on Sept. 19 in New York.
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