NEW YORK – The Georgetown University athletic department has been selected as the winner of the inaugural John Thompson Jr. Award, which was established by the BIG EAST Conference in 2020 to recognize significant efforts to fight prejudice and discrimination and advance positive societal change. Today's announcement on September 2 comes on what would have been Thompson's 80th birthday.

A selection committee made up of members of the BIG EAST Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Working Group and a representative of the Thompson family selected the winning nomination.    For the inaugural award, which considered efforts undertaken during the 2020-21 academic year, a total of ten nominations were submitted.   Other athletic departments receiving finalist consideration from the selection committee were Providence, St. John's and Xavier.

The John Thompson Jr. Award was created in October 2020 to annually recognize a BIG EAST athletic department, team or individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, perseverance and creativity in promoting an environment of inclusiveness or championing the end of discrimination, racism or bigotry.  

Thompson, who died on August 30, 2020, was the head men's basketball coach at Georgetown from 1972 to 1999.  He led the Hoyas to 24 consecutive postseason appearances in 27 seasons, six BIG EAST Tournament titles, and three NCAA Final Four berths, including the 1984 National Championship.  He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.  Beyond his basketball accomplishments, Thompson was a national leader and fierce advocate for racial equality and social justice. 

"We congratulate and commend Lee Reed and the Georgetown athletics program for their thoughtful and comprehensive efforts to promote and advance the goal of a more equitable society," said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. "The initiatives undertaken by Hoya student-athletes, in particular, represent a powerful leadership example and make it clear that the principles of equity that Coach Thompson espoused remain deeply held on the Hilltop."

"Throughout his life, Coach Thompson challenged the status quo and brought to light so many injustices happening to those without a voice," said Lee Reed, Francis X. Rienzo Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.  While he used his platform to speak his truth, he was fighting for equality long before his time on the Hilltop and never wavered as a champion for justice. Georgetown University is honored to have an award bear his name, and we are proud to be the inaugural recipients. There is still more work to be done within this space, and we will strive to live his values within our community each and every day."

During the 2020-21 academic year, the Georgetown athletic department, led by Lee Reed, conducted a wide range of programs in concert with the department's internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group and Rosemary Kilkenny, Georgetown's Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as follows:

Men's and Women's Basketball -- The men's and women's basketball teams selected and wore various social justice messages on the backs of their jerseys throughout the season to highlight causes important to each individual player.

Hiring – Georgetown hired the department's inaugural Executive Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as the first Black baseball coach and first Black track and field head coach in the University's history.

Racial Justice Dialogue and Programming – The athletic department organized gatherings and programs for individuals to share experiences and discuss topics around racial injustice, including gatherings specifically for Black student-athletes.   Hoya student-athletes created the Black Student-Athlete Coalition (BSAC) to recommend action steps for coaches to enhance the Black student-athlete experience at Georgetown.

A Climate Culture Survey was conducted to allow student-athletes to share experiences and identify areas where inclusion can be enhanced.

Dr. Richard Lapchick, noted human rights activist, writer and educator, briefed the department on steps to support racial justice.  The department also engaged RISE, a leading provider of educational programming that equips sports leaders to create positive change on matters of racism, social justice and equality, to facilitate a workshop for incoming student-athletes.

As part of the Hoya Fall Formation, incoming student-athletes were invited to attend student-led sessions hosted by the BSAC regarding their social justice experiences.  Black student-athletes also created a video using their voices as a platform to emphasize the experience of a Black student-athlete at Georgetown.

Heritage/Awareness Month Celebrations – The athletic department created programming for Black History Month that included videos highlighting Hispanic/Latinx Student-Athletes and a forum for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month with student-athletes and staff.

During Women's History Month, Georgetown continued its annual Women's Leadership Initiative.  The athletic department's sports psychologist and women's basketball student-athlete Sari Cureton led the promotion of Mental Health Awareness Month. 

LGBTQ+ Affinity Group was created to provide a safe space for those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.  The athletic department also held its first Pride Celebration in June.

Pause For A Cause – The women's basketball team devoted two weeks to educate themselves on Black culture and engage in conversations around racial injustice. 

Juneteenth – Georgetown recognized Juneteenth as a University-wide holiday for the second year.  

Other partnerships included a celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility and a collaboration with the University's Title IX office to ensure resources are being applied around sexual misconduct and the adjudication process. 

Social Media – The athletic communications department strategically increased the number of social media posts that highlighted heritage months and important DEI issues that impact the community.  The creation of a DEI website showcased all DEI efforts.

Community Development – The BSAC provided educational opportunities by speaking to Hoya athletic teams about privilege.  The BSAC also connected with Washington D.C. community organizations and partnered with its George Washington University and American University counterparts to support a holiday toy drive. 

Black Student-Athlete Summit – This three-day virtual conference, which included several student-athletes and ten staff members, sought effective ways to ensure a safe working environment for administrators, coaches and staff.