The Fellowship of Christian Athletes on Monday named Virginia males's basketball head coach Tony Bennett the 2020 winner of the John Lotz “Barnabas” Award.
The award is introduced yearly to the basketball coach who finest demonstrates devotion to Christ, integrity and encouragement to others and lives a balanced life.
“All through his teaching profession, Tony Bennett has exemplified humble servant management on and off the court docket, and all of us on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes are honored to acknowledge him,” mentioned Shane Williamson, FCA President and CEO.
The award, named for former North Carolina assistant and Florida head coach John Lotz, has been in place since 2003. Different notable winners embrace John Wood and former UVa assistant Ritchie McKay. Baylor's Scott Drew gained the award a season in the past.
Bennett led the Cavaliers to a 23–7 file in 2019–20 earlier than the season was minimize brief as a result of COVID-19. The Cavaliers gained their final eight video games to complete 15-5 in ACC play. The all-star recreation got here a season after UVa gained the nationwide championship.
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After struggling in the course of the center a part of the season, Bennett helped the Wahoos regain their footing and end the yr enjoying their finest basketball of the season. Virginia has excelled in shut video games, particularly in the previous few weeks of the season.
The UVa head coach guides his workforce by means of the 5 pillars of his program – humility, ardour, unity, service and gratitude. Bennett makes use of them to assist information his teaching.
“Throughout this uniquely difficult basketball season, this excellent chief has guided his gamers in issues way more everlasting than the sport of basketball,” Williamson mentioned. “Tony led himself, his household and his groups by means of the hardest of defeats and the top of a nationwide championship with an incredible grace and consistency that may solely come from the Holy Spirit guiding his life.”
