Three coaches presented with inaugural award

Posted: Thursday November 20, 2008 4:38PM; Updated: Thursday November 20, 2008 4:38PM Joe Lapchick award presented to three coaches NEW YORK (AP) -- The room at Madison Square Garden was overflowing with people honoring three award recipients. It wasn't long before another name dominated the proceedings, someone who passed away 38 years ago but whose impact was overpowering. Pat Summitt, Dean Smith and Lou Carnesecca, all Hall of Fame coaches, were presented the inaugural Joe Lapchick Character Awards on Thursday. He never thought he was too big for anybody," said Carnesecca, who was an assistant to Lapchick at St. John's for nine years before succeeding him in 1965. `Character' is right on the money as well." The awards, presented by a committee started by Gus Alfieri, who played under Lapchick at St. John's and then became a successful high coach on Long Island, are to honor those in college sports who have conducted themselves in a way Lapchick did throughout his playing career as one of the sport's first big men, and then as a coach in two stints at St.

. It wasn't long before another name dominated the proceedings, someone who passed away 38 years ago but whose impact was overpowering. See Full Story »

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