PhilaU MBB Coaching Legend Herb Magee to Receive Inaugural CACC Award of Distinction on Thursday
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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (November 29, 2016) -- The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is proud to recognize Philadelphia University head coaching legend Herb Magee with the inaugural CACC Award of Distinction. The award was created to recognize current coaches or administrators throughout the league who have represented the conference with class and dignity during their distinguished careers. Magee will be honored with a plaque commemorating the honor on Thursday prior to PhilaU's contest versus the University of the Sciences.
Magee is one of the most decorated coaches in the history of the sport (regardless of level - amateur or professional). One of just three coaches in NCAA men's basketball history to record 1,000 career wins, Magee accomplished the feat on Feb. 7, 2015, with an 80-60 victory over Post University. The 2016-17 campaign marks the 50th season of Magee serving as head coach of his alma mater. He is the fourth men's basketball coach in NCAA history to coach 50 years and the third to do it at one school.
"Herb Magee is a terrific individual to receive the inaugural CACC Award of Distinction," said CACC Commissioner Dan Mara. "Herb's impact on the sport and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference cannot be put into words. Not only is he a terrific basketball coach, but an outstanding person who demonstrates great character and sportsmanship that his student-athletes quickly identify with."
During Magee's tenure at PhilaU, the Rams have recorded 33 20-plus win seasons and 11 25-plus win seasons. Philadelphia has produced a .500 record or better in each of the previous 19 seasons. The program has won four CACC championships under his guidance. Magee has led Philadelphia to 29 NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 1969-70 season when the Rams went 29-2 and won the national championship. Overall, he has coached 12 All-Americans and 44 1,000 point scorers.
Magee's character and commitment to the game has also been highlighted, as in 2005 he was named a "Guardian of the Game" by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He was also given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philadelphia Sports Congress in 2007, and in 2012, Magee was tabbed by The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association as its "Living Legend." In November of 2016, he was honored with the Joe Lapchick Character Award for the class and dignity he has shown throughout his career. Magee's extraordinary career was best illustrated when he was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2011.
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference composed of 14 institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The member institutions are Bloomfield College, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Concordia (N.Y.) College, Dominican (N.Y.) College, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Nyack College, Philadelphia University, Post University of Waterbury, University of the Sciences, and Wilmington University.