NCAA President Mark Emmert has named legendary college basketball coach Muffet McGraw and the iconic voice of March Madness Jim Nantz as the recipients of the 2023 Pat Summitt and Gerald R. Ford awards, respectively. The awards will be presented to McGraw and Nantz during the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio.
"It is such a privilege to recognize Muffet and Jim for their tremendous contributions to college sports over the course of their careers," Emmert said. "When you think about the impact they have made and the lives they have touched, from the student-athletes to coaches to fans, it's hard to think of two people more deserving. Their commitment to their professions is truly unmatched."
Since 2017, the NCAA's Pat Summitt Award annually has recognized an individual in the Association's membership who has demonstrated devotion to the development of college athletes and has made a positive impact on their lives. The winner receives a $10,000 honorarium to donate to an organization that combats or researches neurological diseases.
"I am humbled to receive an award with Pat Summitt's name on it," McGraw said. "She was the voice of women's basketball and a role model for coaches of all sports. I am glad that we are keeping her legendary career in our hearts and minds through this prestigious award."
Muffet McGraw coached Notre Dame to a second NCAA women's basketball title in 2018. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer will receive the Pat Summitt Award at the NCAA Convention in January. (NCAA Photos archive)
McGraw is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, only the 32nd woman to earn the recognition. She was head coach of the Notre Dame women's basketball program from 1987-2020, compiling an 848–252 record over 33 seasons. She led her teams to nine Final Fours, seven championship game appearances, and national championships in 2001 and 2018.
McGraw resigned as the sixth Division I coach to win multiple NCAA women's basketball titles, joining Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Linda Sharp, Tara VanDerveer and Kim Mulkey. She is one of five coaches in NCAA Division I history (men's or women's basketball) with over 930 wins, nine Final Fours and multiple NCAA championships, ranking with Summitt, Auriemma, VanDerveer and Mike Krzyzewski.
McGraw's teams made 26 NCAA tournament appearances, including 24 consecutive berths, the fifth-longest streak in NCAA women's basketball tournament history. Her 67 NCAA tournament wins rank fourth all-time.
The Gerald R. Ford Award honors an individual who has provided significant leadership as an advocate for intercollegiate athletics on a continuous basis over the course of a career. It was established in 2004 by then-NCAA President Myles Brand, with the recipient chosen by the NCAA president.
"I was fortunate to be a student-athlete at the University of Houston back in the late '70s," Nantz said. "It opened the door to pursue my childhood dream of working for CBS Sports. I have treasured every moment of covering college athletics. The Ford Award is one of the greatest honors of my career, and I'm grateful to President Emmert and all involved for feeling as though I'm meritorious of such a prestigious recognition."
CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz recently announced the 2023 Final Four will be his last after covering the event for more than three decades. He will receive the NCAA President's Gerald R. Ford Award in January. (Photo courtesy of CBS Photo)
Nantz is synonymous with CBS Sports, leading play-by-play coverage of the NCAA Men's Final Four since 1991, along with CBS Sports coverage of golf and the NFL. His voice has been a mainstay in fans' homes for the past 30-plus years, typically beginning with his trademark "Hello Friends," which signals the start of some of sports' most significant broadcasts.
Nantz began at CBS Sports in 1985, initially working as a studio host for college football and basketball games. With a front row seat on CBS Sports' Men's Final Four broadcast, he's been the voice of some of the most memorable moments in March Madness history. He recently announced the 2023 NCAA Men's Final Four will be his last as lead play-by-play voice.
In addition to working 36 Final Fours, Nantz has called six Super Bowls and 37 Masters tournaments. He also received the 2002 Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the 2011 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the 2020 Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Basketball Award.
The 2023 NCAA Convention is scheduled for Jan. 11-14 in San Antonio. McGraw and Nantz will be presented their awards during the NCAA Saluting Excellence Luncheon at 11:30 Central time Friday, Jan. 13. The Convention also includes the presentation of NCAA Honors Celebration awards on Wednesday, Jan. 11, and, for the first time, the NCAA Woman of the Year on Thursday, Jan. 12.
