WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Department of Physical Education (DPE) hosted the 18th annual Coach Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award May 9 at the Thayer Awards Room. The award recognizes West Point cadet-athletes, coaches, officers in charge (OIC) and sport educators for their outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership.

Krzyzewski, a 1969 U.S. Military Academy graduate, was not present for the ceremony but participated in a leadership round table virtually with the winners and runners-up of the award.

Prior to the recipients receiving their awards, Col. Nicholas Gist, head of the DPE, and Women’s Lacrosse Assistant Coach Katie Erbe spoke to the awardees and gathered guests about the meaning of the award and how special Krzyzewski is as a person. Erbe went into length on how Coach K is well thought of at Duke University, and as a collegiate player at Duke before a big game against North Carolina, he took time to give a pep talk to the women’s lacrosse team to get them motivated – and they won.

During the ceremony, six winners and six runners-up from three categories of athletics – Company Athletics (CA), Competitive Club Athletics (CCA) and Corps Squad Athletics (CSA) – were acknowledged with a certificate and the winners were also given a medal. One cadet athlete and one coach, sport educator or OIC were chosen in each category of athletics as a winner and runner-up.

The attributes of an athlete of character are an exceptional cadet who exemplifies the Army values of integrity, respect, selfless service, duty, honor, loyalty and personal courage both on and off “the fields of friendly strife.” The athlete of character is a team player who combines athletic skill with exemplary sportsmanship and fair play.

The Coach K Award cadet winners were Class of 2024 Cadets Shari-Lee Bennett (CA/team handball), Alyssa Hershey (CCA/women’s team handball) and Isabella Sullivan (CSA/volleyball). The runners-up were Class of 2024 Cadets Kevin Yucetepe (CA/orienteering), Jorden Corpuz (CCA/water polo) and Reagan Warren (CSA/women’s basketball).

The attributes of a coach or OIC are an exceptional leader who exemplifies the Army values of integrity, respect, selfless service, duty, honor, loyalty and personal courage. A sport educator of character has an extraordinary ability to guide, mentor, motivate and inspire cadets through their character, commitment and competency.

This year’s Coach K Award winners were Capt. Breona Moses (CA/team handball), Maj. Craig Champlin (CCA/men’s team handball) and Coach Brian Plotkin (CSA/men’s soccer). The runners-up were Maj. Kristina Fauser-Martin (CA/orienteering), Lt. Col. Nicolas Ouimet (CCA/functional fitness) and Coach Brandt Nigro (CSA/men’s and women’s swimming and diving).

Krzyzewski is the winningest men’s collegiate basketball coach in history with 1,202 wins, a winner of five national championships and 13 Final Four appearances, three Olympic gold medals and two World Cup gold medals as USA Basketball’s head coach, two more Olympic gold medals as the national team’s assistant, and named to several halls of fame, including an inductee in the West Point Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. 

Even with all those accolades, the 77-year-old former Army officer and Army men’s basketball coach from 1975-80 gave an hour of his time to talk to the awardees and answer questions from the group.

After the ceremony and leadership roundtable, the awardees had a chance to reflect on the experience of not only the day but the commitment to character and their positive actions as leaders that led them on the path to the award.

Class of 2024 Cadet Shari-Lee Bennett

For Bennett, being recognized as a Coach Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sports Award recipient is an “immense honor.”

“It signifies acknowledgment for embodying and promoting values such as leadership, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship in the context of coaching, mentoring and working with cadet-athletes,” Bennett said. “This award is truly about the character development aspect of sports, which is crucial for athletes’ personal and professional growth and success both on and off the field/court.”

She went into more depth that being committed to a high standard of character and values in sport is critical to forming the foundation of not just athletic excellence but also personal growth.

“Upholding values like integrity, respect and teamwork fosters a positive environment where fair play, ethical behavior and mutual respect are prioritized,” Bennett explained. “This commitment extends beyond individual performance to include team dynamics and interactions with opponents and officials. It promotes a culture where winning is valued alongside integrity and respect for the game and players.”

Bennett credits former cadet and current 1st Lt. Evan Walker as having the biggest impact on her doing the right thing and inspiring others, which in turn she said she is fortunate to have a group of cadets and officers in her corner who “consistently support me, hold me accountable and encourage me to pursue excellence in everything I do.”

Bennett concluded by saying the most memorable part of the roundtable with Krzyzewski is when he spoke about how he set standards, not rules.

“People can choose to disobey or obey rules,” she stated. “But a standard is something you can own.”

Class of 2024 Cadet Alyssa Hershey

Earning the Coach K Award as a competitive club athlete means a great deal to Hershey as she felt incredibly humbled and honored to be nominated by her teammates and given the opportunity to represent all the club teams with this prestigious award.

“My character has not been perfect throughout my time here and in the Army, but I believe that through the help of my teammates and mentors, I’ve had the chance to learn and grow from mistakes,” Hershey explained. “It means the world to me that I have the opportunity to be an example to others for such an award.”

Hershey described that having good character is a constant work in progress and that it is not always easy to achieve while competing in a sport you’re passionate about.

“Having the ability to maintain good character and a high value of standards while doing so (in competition) is the ultimate test,” Hershey stated. “It is one that requires a good amount of discipline.”

The most satisfying part of competing in athletics at West Point for Hershey has been being able to represent West Point, the Army, her teammates and all of the people who have come and gone before them.

“Every time I put on the uniform, I think about Lt. Laura Walker, women’s team handball player in the Class of 2003 and KIA in 2005,” Hershey articulated. “I think of how what matters most at the end of the day is not whether we won or lost, its about the relationships we’ve built along the way.”

As a prior enlisted Soldier, Hershey said the person who was her biggest inspiration was her brigade commander, then colonel, but now Lt. Gen. Mary Krueger Izaguirre.

“Lt. Gen. Izaguirre taught me from the very beginning of my career to be genuine, to always give your best effort, and to be grateful for the people and things around you,” Hershey said. “She taught me things without even trying – she simply just led by example. She is an incredible leader and an even more incredible person.

“She showed me how to take the time to critically think before acting, and I believe that has helped me immensely in sport and at West Point,” she added. “She also showed me the importance of gratitude and how showing others you are grateful for them can have significant impacts.”

When reflecting on the roundtable with Coach K, the thing that stuck with her was how he mentioned that it is OK to fail.

“I’ve heard this a lot but hearing it from someone who has had immense success in his profession, it stuck with me,” Hershey commented. “For me, this meant that while we strive to be perfect, we have to allow ourselves the space to make mistakes and learn from them. To me, it means that having good character does not mean we are perfect all the time, but rather that we learn from our mistakes and failures to continue growing into a better person not only for our Soldiers but also for ourselves.”

Coach Brian Plotkin, Maj. Craig Champlin and Capt. Breona Moses

Coach Brian Plotkin, Maj. Champlin and Capt. Breona Moses represent Corps Squad, Competitive Club and Company Athletics as mentors to the cadets they are leading or teaching. Earning recognition in being a positive influence on the cadets’ lives is special to all three of them.

“It’s an honor to be recognized and it’s a credit to the hard work of all the people who surround the men’s soccer program at USMA,” Plotkin said. “Everyone around our program has positively influenced our cadet-athletes and continued to establish the culture and character of our program that has a lot of overlap with the culture and character development of USMA.”

Champlin mentioned that the men’s handball team has had a profound impact on his life, first as a player and team captain as a member of the Class of 2013.

“To have the opportunity to return to USMA and receive this award is a culmination of 15 years of living and leading my peers, my Soldiers and now my players to live the Army values and our team values of Teamwork-Honor-Brotherhood,” Champlin explained. “As much as I have poured into my cadets over the last three years, this award is truly a testament to what they have also taught me along the way. They made me a better officer, a better coach and a better husband. Leading them has been the most rewarding experience of my life.”

Moses grew up in North Carolina and said Coach K is not only a legend around the world but known as the greatest collegiate coach of all-time, whether you proclaim yourself a Tarheel or Blue Devil fan.

“Being recognized as a recipient of the Coach Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award is truly humbling. I still can’t believe it,” Moses said. “It is truly a reflection of the phenomenal people in my life and the values and lessons they imparted on me and entrusted me with developing the next generation of leaders.”

Moses talked about how winning matters, but at what cost? And as a leader it is important to build young leaders with a high standard of character. She said the most satisfying part of her job is watching cadets transition from a lack of awareness and confidence to eventually that awakening period of self-awareness and confidence.

“The growth in 19 lessons (in DPE courses) or growth in a nine-week company athletic season, not including the preparation time, is immeasurable and exciting to watch,” Moses said.

Champlin said witnessing the maturation and growth over time of the cadets as a coach and mentor is the most satisfying part of his job.

“To put it simply – the best part is seeing them grow up. Often in the Army, we are unable to bear the fruits of our labor and the time invested in our Soldiers and our units as we change jobs and duty stations,” Champlin explained. “At West Point, the level of continuity you have with your teams and players is unmatched. Over the course of three years, I will have worked with 43 cadets while seeing 26 graduate and commission and go on to serve, go to school, get married and start families. That has been the most satisfying part to me.”

Plotkin remarked that the cadet-athletes thoughtfulness and quality of communication is a great part being a mentor to them.

“They ask great questions and want to understand,” Plotkin stated. “You can see them processing and trying to connect the information to their experience to better themselves. It’s such a special thing to be a part of and watch their growth into future officers and leaders of character.”

For each one of these mentors, what was memorable from the roundtable session that they will take with them going forward.

Plotkin said Coach K was asked a question about leading groups within the Army and in sport and he enjoyed how he talked about using humor as a connector and not being afraid to make mistakes.

“Don’t worry about being perfect, worry about learning something new but also knowing when to put on the competitive hat and be the coach and character that your team needs.”

Champlin appreciated how Krzyzewski spoke about the difference between rules and standards.

“He said he hates rules because you can’t own them – just obey or disobey them,” Champlin said. “Standards though give you something to strive for. It provides ownership and accountability for a team. It gives your players something to live up to. That perspective was incredible.”

Moses viewed two things that Coach K said were noteworthy from her perspective, the first was talented players with character versus talented characters.

“To me, that means a team can do a lot more and have a lot more success with a talented group of people who have impeccable character in comparison to a bunch of talented people with poor character,” she said.

Then, it was hearing him say that at age 77, “I am still learning about leadership.”

“To me, that means that no matter how old I am or how successful I am, there is still something new that I can learn about leadership.”

When it was all said and done, Moses expressed her gratitude toward DPE and USMA for giving her the opportunity to serve on an impeccable team and the Competitive Sports team within DPE who planned, coordinated and executed the ceremony and roundtable discussion.

“Lastly, thank you to Coach K for taking the time out of his busy day to share his decades of experience and knowledge with us aiding in not only our development but the continuous development of future leaders,” Moses concluded.

To see more photos from the event, visit Coach K Awards | Flickr.

(Editor’s note: Cadet Sullivan responded to questions after the story was complete, however, below is a Q&A with her answers on receiving the Coach K Award.)

Q: What does it mean to you to be recognized as a Coach Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award recipient?

A: "I’m honored to be recognized as a Coach K Award recipient. In the months since I finished collegiate volleyball and serving as a team captain, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on that experience and how much it meant to me to develop and lead my team the past two seasons. The selection process, award ceremony and roundtable discussion with Coach K reminded me how amazing of an opportunity it is to lead, develop and inspire your peers and those younger than you, and how transferrable the skills we learn in the gym and on the court are to our upcoming Army careers."

Q: Character, the heart of the award … what is the importance of being committed to a high standard of character and values in sport when it comes to everything it encompasses from playing and sportsmanship?

A: "The biggest lesson I’ve learned from being a collegiate athlete at Army West Point is the character should always be the priority over talent. An individual with immense talent cannot outperform a team that is committed to each other and committed to excellence."

Q: What has been the most satisfying part of competing in athletics at West Point over the years?

A: "My favorite part of competing in athletics at West Point is being surrounded by women who make me a better women, friend, teammate, competitor and leader. This process isn’t seamless or perfectly smooth, but I have loved being surrounded by strong women who in turn make me a better version of myself."

Q: Who is your inspiration that has led you on the path of doing what is right and inspiring others through your words and actions that leads to a positive impact on the other cadets you compete with?

A: "My mother, Jana Sullivan, along with Col. Darcy Schnack, who has been my mom away from home. They are two of my biggest sources of inspiration."

Q: What is something Coach K said at the roundtable that was most noteworthy to you?

A: "Be worthy of winning." 

Q: In the end, what was the most memorable part of the day and this experience for you?

A: "The most memorable part of the day was getting to hear from Coach K surrounded by people who I have known for years and whom I sincerely respect."