NEW YORK – Distinguished Atlantic 10 figures Phil Martelli and Frank McLaughlin officially received the Joe Lapchick Character Award today at the New York Athletic Club.
 
Martelli and McLaughlin joined legendary women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma and longtime official Gene Steratore as the award's 2025 recipients. Before becoming a 12-time NCAA Champion at UConn, Auriemma got his collegiate coaching start as an assistant at Saint Joseph’s in 1978 (prior to SJU joining the A-10). Across a decorated career with several high-level organizations, Steratore officiated college basketball for 25 years, including many Atlantic 10 games.
 
The Joe Lapchick Character Award Foundation annually recognizes a group of iconic basketball figures, from all levels of men’s and women’s basketball, who have demonstrated honorable character throughout their careers.
 
In 24 seasons as the head men's basketball coach at Saint Joseph’s, Martelli built the program into a consistent winner and perennial postseason participant. He received the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year accolade four times (1997, 2001, 2004, and 2005) and was the 2004 Consensus National Coach of the Year. Winning three Atlantic 10 Championships (1997, 2014, and 2016), his record of 218-176 in A-10 play ranks second all-time in the league.
 
Boasting deep roots to the city of Philadelphia long before his coaching career, Martelli attended high school at St. Joseph’s Prep. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
 
McLaughlin served as Fordham’s athletic director from 1985 to 2012 before being promoted to the role of associate vice president of student affairs for athletic alumni relations and external affairs/athletic director emeritus. Prior to his transition to administration, he enjoyed a 16-year collegiate coaching year that included a stint as an assistant at Fordham. A 1965 Fordham Prep and 1969 Fordham graduate, McLaughlin captained the Rams as a senior before being selected by the New York Knicks in the 10^th round of the NBA Draft.
 
During his time at the helm of the department, McLaughlin saw Fordham Athletics grow exponentially, guiding the Rams through their transition to the Atlantic 10 Conference in 1995. He was inducted into the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.