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Legendary Irish coach Muffet McGraw earns prestigious 2023 Pat Summitt Award

One of Notre Dame’s finest has earned a top college basketball lifetime achievement honor. 

On Tuesday, the NCAA announced Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw has received the 2023 Pat Summitt Award, which spotlights an individual who has greatly contributed to the development of collegiate athletes, making a positive impact on their lives. She was chosen by NCAA President Mark Emmert and will formally receive the award at the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio. 

“Congratulations to Muffet McGraw for this incredible honor and special recognition,” Karen & Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach Niele Ivey said. “The impact that Coach has made on our university and women’s college basketball is both immense and inspiring.

“Pat Summitt was a pioneer and trailblazer with her stamp on all of athletics, and she will always be the standard for coaches to follow!”

In addition to McGraw’s award, Emmert has chosen Jim Nantz, the legendary voice of March Madness, for the Gerald R. Ford Award. The honor recognizes a figure who has proven to be an advocate for college athletics over the course of their career. 

“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.”

McGraw, who retired from Notre Dame in 2020, posted an 848-252 record over 33 seasons in South Bend. She led the Irish to nine Final Fours, seven national championship appearances and two national titles in 2001 and 2018. She is one of just six Division I women’s basketball coaches to win multiple national titles and one of five coaches — male or female — with more than 930 wins, nine Final Fours and multiple championships. 

Further, McGraw’s teams made 26 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including 24 consecutive trips, which was the fifth longest streak in NCAA women’s basketball tournament history. Her 67 tournament victories rank fourth all-time. 

“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.”

The award was established in 2017, and previous winners include Herb Magee, Nancy Stevens, David Williams II, Percy Bates, Julie Soriero and Joan Cronan. The winner receives a $10,000 honorarium to donate to an organization that combats or researches neurological diseases.

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.