ATLANTA (February 20, 2019) – Today, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced the selections for the 2019 Naismith Outstanding Contributors to Women’s and Men’s Basketball as Carol Callan and Verne Lundquist, respectively.
First presented in 1982 to Curt Gowdy, the Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Basketball Award is presented annually to individuals whose extraordinary efforts have made outstanding contributions and created a long‐lasting positive impact on the game of basketball. The recipients display character, integrity and dignity, and have contributed to the growth, success and viability of the sport. Chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Directors, Callan and Lundquist will be honored later this year and presented with a Naismith-themed plaque.
“To be associated with the Naismith name and the list of previous contributors is an unbelievable honor,” said Callan. “Growing up around basketball with a father who was a long-time coach, it’s been so satisfying to be able to be a part of the growth of the women’s game and its successes.”
“I am extremely honored to receive the Naismith Award,” said Verne Lundquist. “To be included in the list of all the outstanding past recipients of this prestigious award is extraordinary. I am truly thankful for my 54 years covering college basketball and working with all the men and women who have contributed and made a lasting impact on the game.”
“Each year, we select recipients who have truly impacted the lives of so many players and fans and brought the spirit of basketball to life,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “Carol has elevated the women’s game around the world, and Verne has helped our game reach millions of television viewers. It’s an honor for us to include them in the Naismith Awards family.”
About Carol Callan:
- Callan currently serves as the Women’s National Team director, acting as a liaison to women’s competition committees and responsible for all USA Basketball women’s team programs, including competitions, trials and training camps.
- She was the National Team director for the 1995-96 USA Basketball Women’s National Team that posted a perfect 52-0 record, culminating with an 8-0 record and the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games. Beginning in 1996, the National Team has a record of 100-1 in World Cup and Olympic Games competition, winning gold medals at the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, and the 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups
- She is the chair of both the National Team Steering Committee and the National Team Player Selection Committee and the non-voting chair of the Developmental National Team Committee for USA Basketball.
- Callan also serves on the FIBA Competition Commission, the WBCA Board of Directors and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
About Verne Lundquist:
- Lundquist served as a broadcaster for more than 20 different sports for CBS and been a part of the broadcasting community for 54 years and continues to serve as an announcer for the Masters and the PGA Championship on CBS.
- In May 2014, he received the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Broadcasting, and he was honored with the Sports Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2016.
- For 33 consecutive years, Lundquist announced the NCAA Tournament, and he gained international experience by covering the Winter Olympics in 1992, 1994 and 1998.
- He worked at ABC Sports from 1974-81 and spent three years as a play-by-play announcer for TNT’s NFL, NBA, golf and figure skating.
- Lundquist was the first on-air person to be named a Champion in Sports Business by the Sports Business Journal.
Past winners of the Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Basketball award:
| Year | Men's Outstanding Contributor | Women's Outstanding Contributor |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Jim Nantz | Beth Bass |
| 2019 | Verne Lundquist | Carol Callan |
| 2018 | Lou Carnesecca | Mimi Griffin |
| 2017 | Gary Williams | Ann Meyers Drysdale |
| 2016 | Denny Crum | Andy Landers |
| 2015 | Bill Raftery | Lynette Woodard |
| 2014 | Bobby Cremins | Nancy Lieberman |
| 2013 | Lute Olson | Pat Summitt |
| 2012 | Don Meyer | Teresa Edwards |
| 2011 | Dick Enberg | Cheryl Miller |
| 2010 | John Thompson Jr. | Marsha Sharp |
| 2009 | Billy Packer | Anne Donovan |
| 2008 | Dick Vitale | Jody Conradt |
| 2007 | Bob Knight | Kay Yow |
| 2006 | Jerry Colangelo | Val Ackerman |
| 2005 | Everett Case | Leon Barmore |
| 2004 | George Killian | Sonja Hogg |
| 2003 | Charles “Lefty” Driesell | Betty Jaynes |
| 2002 | Don Haskins | Billie Moore |
| 2001 | Tex Winter | Cathy Rush |
| 2000 | Bill Wall | Harley Redin |
| 1999 | C.M. Newton | |
| 1998 | Dean Smith | |
| 1997 | Dr. Forrest "Phog" Allen (in memory) | |
| 1996 | Boris Stankovic | |
| 1995 | Victor Bubas | |
| 1994 | Claire F. Bee (in memory) | |
| 1993 | Dave Gavitt | Margaret Wade |
| 1992 | John McLendon | |
| 1991 | Clarence “Big House” Gaines | |
| 1990 | Frank McGuire | |
| 1989 | Nat Holman | |
| 1988 | Red Auerbach | |
| 1987 | Pete Newell | |
| 1986 | Adolph Rupp (in memory) | |
| 1985 | Hank Iba | |
| 1984 | Ray Meyer | |
| 1983 | John Wooden | |
| 1982 | Curt Gowdy |
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club 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 administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Citizen Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include the Bona, Citizen Watch Company, Jersey Mike’s and Werner Ladder.
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