ATLANTA ? Twenty of the country?s top collegiate men?s basketball coaches were named as finalists for the Naismith Award presented by Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced. The Naismith Award is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men?s and women?s college basketball coaches of the year.
The top 20 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club?s Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its criteria on coaching performance this season.
?The Naismith Award is the preeminent honor in college basketball,? said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. ?Each of these coaches has left a lasting impact on the lives and careers of his players and is beyond worthy of taking home the Trophy in April.?
These coaches will go to the final ballot in March, when the Board will select the coach who has distinguished himself as the best collegiate coach in the nation. The coach of the year will be recognized at the Naismith Awards Banquet on April 8 in Atlanta.
?College coaches play such an important role in fueling the excitement of NCAA basketball,? said Valerie Manis, senior manager, Coca-Cola North America. ?As an official NCAA Corporate Champion, Coca-Cola congratulates each of these deserving men for their outstanding work.?
The candidates for the Naismith Award presented by Coca-Cola, listed in alphabetical order, are as follows:
Rick Barnes – Texas
Jim Boeheim – Syracuse
Mark Few – Gonzaga
Ray Giacoletti – Utah
Billy Gillispie – Texas A&M
Frank Haith – Miami (FL)
Mike Krzyzewski – Duke
Lute Olson – Arizona
Rick Pitino – Louisville
Skip Prosser – Wake Forest
Lorenzo Romar – Washington
Bo Ryan – Wisconsin
Kelvin Sampson – Oklahoma
Bill Self – Kansas
Al Skinner – Boston College
Tubby Smith – Kentucky
Eddie Sutton – Oklahoma State
John Thompson III – Georgetown
Bruce Weber – Illinois
Roy Williams – North Carolina
Last year?s Naismith Award recipient was Saint Joseph University?s Phil Martelli. Other notable winners include Tubby Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams and Bob Knight.
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ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
The Atlanta Tipoff Club, an Atlanta Sports Council property, is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club has presented the Naismith Trophy since UCLA?s Lew Alcindor first won the award in 1969. In 1987, Indiana?s Bob Knight became the first men?s college coach to win the Award.
The Naismith Awards program has become an emblem of excellence for the game, recognizing the men?s and women?s college players, coaches and officials of the year, and the male and female high school players of the year.
ABOUT THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
The Coca-Cola Company is an NCAA Corporate Champion and partner with CBS Sports and the NCAA in an 11-year marketing and media program which includes beverage marketing and media rights to 88 NCAA championships.
