Coach K wins Heisman Humanitarian Award for his work with Durham’s Emily K Center
Retired from coaching having won nearly every award given for that profession, Mike Krzyzewski picked up an honor for his impact on Durham Tuesday night.
The Heisman Trophy Trust named Krzyzewski this year’s winner of the Heisman Humanitarian Award, recognizing his positive community contributions through the Emily K Center and other charitable efforts.
The award brings a $75,000 prize that will go to the Emily K Center, the program founded in 2006 that works to eliminate disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes for Durham students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
The 75-year-old Krzyzewski retired as Duke’s basketball coach after 42 seasons last April, having amassed an NCAA Division I record 1,202 wins, leading the Blue Devils to 13 Final Fours and winning five NCAA championships. That work, along with leading the U.S. team to three Olympic gold medals, earned him induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Named after Krzyzewski’s mother, the Emily K Center works with 2,000 K-12 students annually through programs including Game Plan: College, which offers free advice and support to any Durham-area high school student looking to further their academic and career goals.
“I’d like to thank the Heisman Trust for this tremendous honor, their commitment to our work and their important role in supporting amateur athletics,” Krzyzewski in a statement. “I’m humbled to see the impact that the Emily K Center has had on thousands of young scholars, and I know that my mother would be proud of how her legacy has touched the lives of so many talented individuals.”
Krzyzewski is the 16th Heisman Humanitarian Award winner, joining fellow Basketball Hall of Famer David Robinson, Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi, former baseball player and manager Joe Torre and soccer legend Mia Hamm on the list of winners.
He will be presented the award on Dec. 11 at the Heisman Memorial Trophy dinner gala in New York.
“Best known for his accolades on the court, coach Krzyzewski has dedicated his time and energy off the court to bettering the lives of young students through the Emily K Center,” Mike Comerford, Heisman Trophy Trust president said in a statement. “We look forward to honoring Coach Krzyzewski in December as a Heisman Humanitarian and are excited to see what’s next as he transitions to his next stage off the hardwood.”
