Villanova Wins John Thompson Jr. Award

NEW YORK – (September 6, 2023) Villanova University has been chosen as the winner of the third annual John Thompson Jr. Award, which recognizes significant efforts within the BIG EAST Conference to fight prejudice and discrimination and advance positive societal change.  Today’s announcement comes four days after what would have been Thompson’s 82nd 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. The award considered efforts undertaken during the 2022-23 academic year.  Villanova’s work was built around the theme of UNITAS, which emphasizes the school’s Augustinian values and the social justice demands of society.
 
The John Thompson Jr. Award was created in 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 and bigotry.  Providence College athletic director Bob Driscoll, who retired last year, was the 2022 winner. Georgetown University was the first honoree in 2021.
 
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. He was a 1964 graduate of Providence College.
 
“We congratulate Father Peter Donohue, Mark Jackson, Leashia Lewis and the entire Villanova athletics program for the thoughtful and comprehensive way they are advancing the principles of racial, gender and social equity that Coach Thompson so deeply espoused,” said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman.  “Villanova has established a model framework for athletics DEI through its formula of education, the creation of ‘safe spaces’ for engagement by various affinity groups, and integration with the broader campus community and the school’s distinctive Augustinian mission and values.”
 
“On behalf of the entire Villanova community, we are honored to be recognized with this year’s John Thompson Jr. Award,” said University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. “The award is a testament to the incredible work of our Athletics staff to ensure that our Augustinian Catholic values of Veritas, UNITAS and Caritas (Truth, Unity and Love) are woven into the fabric of every aspect of the student-athlete experience. These values are the foundation for Villanova’s commitment to building a just and inclusive community on our campus and beyond, where the inherent worth of all people is recognized and celebrated. Congratulations to all involved in bringing this honor to Villanova.”
 
“At Villanova, we are fortunate to share a university-wide commitment to DEI and to building an inclusive community for all,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson. “I would like to thank our UNITAS leadership team, led by Assistant Athletic Director Leashia Lewis, for guiding this important work on a daily basis and ensuring buy-in from Villanova student-athletes, coaches and staff. I am beyond grateful for all their efforts to bring our Augustinian mission and values to life in Villanova Athletics.”

During the 2022-23 academic year, Villanova student-athletes, coaches and staff were dedicated to promoting a community of belonging, inclusivity and equity in concert with campus partners and the university’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.   Assistant Athletic Director of DEI Leashia Lewis, who serves on the BIG EAST Conference DEI Working Group, has led the internal effort, which focuses on hiring, education and awareness and engages RISE, the league’s racial equity educational partner, for programming support. An internal “Meeting of the Minds” group of external advisors (MOMS Group) also meets bi-weekly with the UNITAS team to lend support with DEI leadership structures and a strategic plan.  

Villanova has established a wide range of student-athlete affinity/ally groups which create additional forums for on-campus engagement: 

• The 13 Percent strives to create a safe, educational, judgment-free space for Black student-athletes to speak out and be heard on current issues.
• The Women’s Empowerment group supports women’s athletics and has emphasized a continued commitment to create and enhance opportunities for female student-athletes.
• The UNITAS BIPOC group is committed to furthering equity, multiculturalism, anti-racism and inclusivity within the athletics community.
• Athlete Ally provides the athletics community with allyship training to stress the importance of equality and offers LGBTQIA+ athletes visibility and support.
• Every Mind Matters aims to improve mental health services, awareness and advocacy within athletics.
• The International Students group provides support, resources and a safe space for students whose citizenship is outside of the U.S.
• StriVe provides a safe space for individuals to discuss and understand the experience of people who have disabilities.

A UNITAS social media campaign conducted throughout the year amplified the school’s DEI efforts and recognized various observances, including Black History Month, Native American Heritage Month, Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month and Juneteenth.  The campaign also built on  the NCAA’s Diversity & Inclusion Social Media Campaign.

Villanova is creating a UNITAS Ambassadors group for 2023-24 that will include DEI Ambassadors from each sports team to create a grapevine effect for communications. 

The BIG EAST:

The BIG EAST Conference is an association of 11 nationally prominent colleges and universities that foster healthy athletic competition, community service and the pursuit of excellence in academic environments.  The BIG EAST-sponsored athletic programs of our institutions provide national-caliber participation opportunities for more than 3,800 student-athletes on over 200 men’s and women’s teams in 22 sports.  Established in 1979 and headquartered in New York City, the BIG EAST’s members are located in eight of the country’s top 36 largest media markets and include Butler University, University of Connecticut, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University.  For more information, visit www.bigeast.com.