NEW YORK -- St. John's University and Villanova University have been chosen as the co-winners of the fourth 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 two days after what would have been Thompson's 83rd 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 nominations. The award considered efforts undertaken during the 2023-24 academic year.  St. John's' portfolio of work centered on its "Accept No Hate" mantra and its commitment to an anti-racist environment within the athletic department and the University community.  Villanova's efforts were built around the UNITAS umbrella and included comprehensive cross-campus initiatives promoting belonging, multiculturalism, inclusivity and equity.  Villanova also received the Thompson Award in 2023.
 
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.  Prior recipients have included Providence College athletic director Bob Driscoll in 2022 and the Georgetown University athletic department 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 commend St. John's and Villanova for their comprehensive and sustained efforts to orient their student-athletes, coaches and other administrators to the principles that Coach Thompson so deeply espoused," said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman.  "Both schools have created impressive frameworks for athletics DEI through a medley of education, awareness, professional development and inclusive hiring practices, and their templates offer a model approach to campuses striving to promote tolerance and a welcoming environment for all.   We want to offer our special thanks to Nancy Kaplan at St. John's and Leashia Lewis at Villanova for their long-standing service on our working group and their outstanding leadership in facilitating DEI effectiveness on their campuses."
 
"St. John's University is proud to be recognized with this year's John Thompson Jr. Award," said University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P, PhD. "This award is a testament to the transformative work of our Athletics staff to actualize the Catholic and Vincentian mission of St. John's and to answer the Vincentian question of 'What must be done?'
 
"A dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the heart of our mission. St. John's is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community. Congratulations to all involved and the co-award winner, Villanova University."
 
"We are honored as a university to receive the highest honor from the conference in our ongoing efforts to fight prejudice and discrimination while progressing positive change in our community." Interim Director of Athletics John Diffley said. "Coach Thompson was a strong advocate for change and challenged societal norms to bring to light many of the injustices around those without a voice. His impact has remained steadfast and continues to resonate within the conference, its schools and its student-athletes. St. John's, Georgetown and Villanova have always been fierce rivals in competition since the very beginning of the BIG EAST, however, in this space, we are united as one to be at the forefront of change."
 
"Villanova is honored to be once again recognized by the BIG EAST for our commitment to igniting positive change on our campus and in the community," said University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. "I would like to thank Leashia Lewis for her leadership in bringing our Augustinian values to life for our student-athletes and express my gratitude to everyone in Villanova Athletics for their efforts to enhance the experience for all who compete for Villanova."
 
St. John's -- The university's athletics Council on Culture, Community and Social Justice (CCCSJ), in its fourth year of existence, meets monthly to discuss and implement educational programs and social justice initiatives. The group provides tools to foster a culture of racial equality and teaches student-athletes, coaches, and administrators how to leverage the power of sports to bring about social change.   The school's long-standing "Accept No Hate" campaign includes social media and other virtual activities and a branded merchandise collection.
 
St. John's conducted its fourth annual Solidarity Week in November, which focused on building unity and community.  Each day included a call to action for all student-athletes, coaches and staff.  Other university efforts included a commitment to diverse candidate pools for open staff positions and celebratory/awareness events at selected home sports contests.
 
Villanova -- Throughout the academic year, student-athletes, coaches and staff continued their all-encompassing approach to DEI under the UNITAS umbrella, which serves to integrate the school's distinctive Augustinian mission and values throughout the broader campus community.  The department's strategic theme for 2023-24 focused on social justice activism.
 
Initiatives included the creation of "safe spaces" for engagement by seven student-athlete affinity groups, reaching the Black, women's, BPIOC, LGBTQAI+, international and disabled communities.  A separate affinity group promotes mental health awareness. Other initiatives include a student-athlete ambassador program, educational programs and UNITAS awareness events throughout the year. 
 
Other Thompson Award nominations included:
 
Creighton Women's X-C:  Partnered with SAVE, a youth-serving nonprofit located in Omaha dedicated to connecting underserved youth to college student mentors and other resources to allow them to be successful students and active citizens.
 
Georgetown – Continued comprehensive cross-campus programming focused on education, culture and outreach, including inaugural Intersectionality Series; a book club centered around The 272 (the slaves who built the university); and a Gratitude Week partnership with HSC Pediatric Center and Martha's Table.
 
Marquette -- Conducted a civil rights pilgrimage to historic sites in the South in partnership with the Center for Peacemaking.  The trip encompassed seven states and 10 cities over six days and included stops at the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, AL, the Sixteenth St. Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY.
 
Providence – Created a month-long athletics/art/community exhibit that included artwork, posters and a video installation featuring past and current athletes and notable individuals of color.
 
Connecticut - Expanded student-athlete participation in the annual Black Student-Athlete Summit and NCAA Inclusion conference and conducted a series of Pride games.
 
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.