Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: FCA-Tom Rogeberg
Kennedy Receives FCA Honor At NCAA Final Four Weekend
4/4/2011 11:13:07 AM | Men's Basketball
Murray State men's basketball coach Billy Kennedy was honored over the weekend by receiving the Fellowship of Christian Athletes 2011 John Lotz “Barnabas” Award in Houston, Texas.
The award presentation was made at the NCAA Final Four weekend at the Hilton's Ballroom of the Americas.
An estimated 500 coaches were in attendance to see Coach Kennedy receive the award from Gary Lydic, vice president of development for America's Family Coaches. The FCA award was also sponsored by Athletes in Action, the National Center for Fathering and Nations of Coaches.
Kennedy, who just finished his fifth season at Murray State, spoke to the gathering and traced his life's journey with God and thanked those who helped him along the way.
“I am very humbled and honored to be the recipient of this special award,” Kennedy said. “I am thankful to be at a university that allows me the platform to invest in the character of our players.”
Kennedy is the ninth winner of the annual award, named after former University of Florida Head Coach John Lotz and presented by FCA to honor a basketball coach who best exhibits a commitment to Christ, integrity, encouragement to others and lives a balanced life. Prior award recipients include: Homer Drew (2003), John Wooden (2004), Dale Clayton (2005), Steve Alford (2006), Dale Layer (2007), Willis Wilson (2008), Ritchie McKay (2009) and Gary Waters (2010).
Fellowship of Christian Athletes President and CEO Les Steckel said of Billy Kennedy, “Coach Kennedy embodies this award by encouraging his players all the time – on and off the court. The basketball world needs more like Coach Kennedy.”
Kennedy and the Racers were 23-9 in the 2010-11 season and claimed their second straight Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship with Kennedy earning the OVC's Coach of the Year award for a second consecutive season.
In the last two seasons, Coach Kennedy and the Racers are 54-14 with trips to the NCAA Tournament (advancing to the second round in 2010) and National Invitation Tournament in 2011.
Other awards Kennedy has received in his career that spans 26 seasons overall and 13 as a head coach include: NABC District-19 Coach of the Year in 2010 when he was also a finalist for the Skip Prosser Award and Hugh Durham Award. He was named Coach of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Association and NABC District 8 in back-to-back years (2004-05) while at his alma mater Southeastern Louisiana.
Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest Christian sports ministry in the world and focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.
Friday, May 22
Saturday, February 28
Friday, February 27
Friday, February 27
