ACC Announces ACC Unite Award Winners

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Angel McCoughtry and Derwin Webb have been announced as University of Louisville recipients of the 2024 ACC UNITE Award, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced Wednesday.

The ACC UNITE Award was created to honor individuals affiliated with the league who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice. An initiative of the ACC's Committee for Racial and Social Justice (CORE – Champions of Racial Equity), the award was developed and approved by the ACC's members institutions.

The UNITE Award is presented annually to individuals who:

Best exemplify ACC UNITE's mission to promote and encourage racial equity and social justice through education, partnerships, engagement and advocacy.

Have helped create meaningful, lasting change by improving systems, organizational structures, policies, practices and attitudes.

Have been a pioneer and/or helped pave the way for minorities either at the institution or in the community.

Each school selects two recipients based on the above criteria and determines how best to celebrate their respective selections at campus events throughout the academic year.

"We are incredibly honored to recognize the fourth annual UNITE Award recipients and are thrilled to celebrate these deserving individuals," said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. "These amazing representatives from our 18-member schools have made significant impacts throughout their careers and continue to be dedicated to making a positive impact in the crucial areas of racial and social justice, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion."

2024 UNITE Award Recipients
Boston College: Blake Bolden & Justin Simmons
California: Marshawn Lynch & Charmin Smith
Clemson: Mary Kennerty & Marion Reeves
Duke: Troy Austin & Michelle Staggers
Florida State: Tiffani Brown & Terance Mann
Georgia Tech: Grover Hinsdale & Dr. Shaday Word-Daniels
Louisville: Angel McCoughtry & Judge Derwin L. Webb
Miami: Dr. Marvin P. Dawkins & Shirelle Jackson
North Carolina: Martina Ballen & Brianna Pinto
NC State: Chester Grant & Ronnie Laughlin
Notre Dame: Dorene Dominguez & Art Velasquez Jr.
Pitt: Leah Friedman & Darelle Porter
SMU: Pastor Richie Butler & Charlene Edwards
Stanford: Nya Harrison
Syracuse: Greg Allen & Sydnie Moore
Virginia:  Elijah Gaines & Dr. Carla Williams
Virginia Tech: Aaron Rouse & Aisha Sheppard
Wake Forest: Dianne Dailey & Bill Hayes

McCoughtry (Women's Basketball; 2005-09) is the most decorated player in Louisville women's basketball program history. She achieved many of the "firsts" in program history during her four years at Louisville, then made a name for herself in the WNBA after being drafted No. 1 overall.

McCoughtry was the first player in program history to be named a first-team All-American, a feat she achieved in each of her final three seasons. In her sophomore season, she was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year, the first player in program history to win a Conference Player of the Year Award. That season, she led the BIG EAST Conference in scoring, rebounding, and steals, while breaking school records for the most steals in a season, most points in a season, and most points in a game. In her junior season, she broke her own records for points and steals on the season and tied her own single-game scoring record. McCoughtry broke the record for career scoring by a Louisville women's basketball player during the first game of her senior year en route to the program's first trip to the Final Four and national championship game. McCoughtry ended her Louisville career as the program leader in career points, single-season points, career free throws made, single-season steals and career steals, all marks that she still owns today. While she was at Louisville, she was a member of Team USA at the 2007 Pan Am Games and came away with the gold medal. She was inducted into the Louisville Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

McCoughtry was drafted No. 1 by the Atlanta Dream in the 2009 WNBA Draft, the first player in program history to be drafted No. 1 overall. She had a stellar first season and was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 12.8 points per game. Her career in the WNBA was just as decorated as it was in college as she was a five-time WNBA All-Star, two-time All-WNBA first-team selection, and led the league in both scoring and steals twice. She was named to the WNBA 25th Anniversary Team in 2021. she earned numerous honors and awards throughout her career including being a four-time All-WNBA second-team selection, seven-time WNBA All-Defensive first-team pick (2010–2016), and a WNBA All-Defensive second-team honoree (2009). She was also a Hungarian National League champion (2011), Hungarian Cup winner (2011), two-time Turkish National League champion (2012, 2013), Turkish Cup winner (2015), four-time Turkish President Cup winner (2012–15), EuroLeague winner (2017), and Lebanese Basketball League champion (2017).

Along with being a decorated athlete, McCoughtry has been engaged in service and community building.  In 2010, McCoughtry started the Angel McCoughtry Dream Foundation, which focuses on sportsmanship and self-confidence for youth. She also helped revitalize run-down basketball courts through #McCoughtrysMission, an initiative that grows the game of basketball by providing a space for kids to play. She is also a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta nonprofit, where she serves as an outstanding champion and honorary Big.

Webb (Men's Basketball; 1989-93) saw three NCAA tournaments (1990, 1992, and 1993) under Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Denny Crum, and two regular-season conference championships in 1990 and 1993. Judge Webb served as a team captain his senior year, playing in 113 games over his career as a Cardinal. In his professional career, Judge Webb was the first African American male Family Court Judge in the history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

A first-generation attorney, Judge Webb was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, but later moved to Louisville where he has lived for more than 25 years.  As an undergraduate, he was elected as a Senator in the Student Government Association. In this role, he represented the interests of the student population and discovered the importance of public service. After receiving his B.S. in Political Science, he attended the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. Upon graduation, he began his legal career with the prestigious law firm, Stites & Harbison, where he learned all aspects of business and corporate law. Judge Webb then returned to his alma mater to work as an assistant athletic director where he supported the athletic department in areas of compliance, academics, and diversity. He was appointed by the president to serve on the University's Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality, the president's chief policy advisor on issues of diversity. He founded the Legal Eagles, a program coordinated with prosecutors and the police department to teach Jefferson County Public School elementary students the importance of following the law.

Judge Webb has served as treasurer of the Louisville Black Lawyers Association and as past chair of the criminal law section of the Louisville Bar Association. He has also volunteered as a coach for local schools and served on the boards of several nonprofit groups dedicated to improving the lives of individuals within the Kentuckiana region. This work earned Judge Webb the Business First "Forty Under Forty" Award for outstanding Louisville young professionals. He has also received the University of Louisville Department of Political Science Outstanding Alumni Award and is a member of the University of Louisville President's Council and a member of the Brandeis Advisory Board. Most recently, among other distinguished recognitions, Judge Webb was presented with the "2024 Eagle Award", which is presented by the Louisville Metro Council to one of 10 local judges for their success and contributions to the Kentucky Judicial System.

University of Louisville Athletics

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