USBWA Most Courageous Award
| USBWA Most Courageous Award | |
|---|---|
| Award details | |
| Given for | Individuals associated with men's and women's college basketball who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in life |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | United States Basketball Writers Association |
| History | |
| First award | 1978 |
| Most recent | Men's: Bronson Koenig, Wisconsin Women's: Angel Elderkin, Appalachian State & Holly Rowe, ESPN |
| Website | Official site |
The USBWA Most Courageous Awards are two annual basketball awards given by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) to figures associated with college basketball who, according to the organization, have "demonstrated extraordinary courage reflecting honor on the sport of amateur basketball." Since 2012, the women's version of the award has been named the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award in honor of the legendary Tennessee women's coach who received the award that year.
The award was first presented in 1978, and was not initially restricted exclusively to college basketball, although every winner since 1980 has been associated with the college game in some manner. Through 2009, a single award was presented; starting in 2010, separate awards have been given for men's and women's college basketball. More than one individual can receive an award, with the most recent example being in 2017, when the women's award was presented to Appalachian State coach Angel Elderkin and ESPN broadcaster Holly Rowe. Traditionally, the winners receive their awards at the men's or women's Final Four (as applicable), although the awards can be presented earlier as circumstances dictate. The most notable exception was when the 2015 Summitt Award was presented to Lauren Hill at halftime of her first college game in November 2014, presumably so she would receive the award while alive (at the time, she was not expected to survive until the 2015 Final Four).
Most honorees have been cited for courage as current or former college players. However, the list of recipients also includes coaches, two broadcasters, a referee, an athletic program staffer, the widow of a former player (recognized alongside her late husband), and two college basketball programs.
All affiliations listed were current at the time the award was presented. The "Notes" column indicates the situation that led the USBWA to present the award.
All winners during this period were associated with men's basketball unless noted otherwise.
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