Army West Point Athletics
McKelvie, Kovaci Earn "Coach K" Awards
May 04, 2009 | General
WEST POINT, N.Y. Army senior hockey player Zach McKelvie and volleyball head coach Alma Kovaci have been honored with the Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award.
This marks the fourth time that the U.S. Military Academy has presented the award but the first time NCAA athletes and coaches were eligible to win. The first three awards honored cadets who compete in company athletics.
McKelvie and Kovaci were presented with their awards during a special ceremony in the Mess Hall with Krzyzewski, a 1969 USMA graduate and now Duke head basketball coach, Superintendent Lt. Gen. Franklin Hagenbeck and Master of the Sword Col. Greg Daniels as well as Athletics Director Kevin Anderson.
The awards recognize West Point athletes and coaches for their outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership. The cadet recipient exemplifies the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage both on-and-off the “fields of friendly strife.”
The coach recipient is an exceptional leader who exemplifies the Army Values of integrity, respect, selfless service, duty, honor, loyalty, and personal courage. This individual does much more than win games he or she earns the respect and trust of athletes and makes a profound impact on their lives both as athletes and officers.
Dubbed the “Coach K” awards, McKelvie and Kovaci were recognized for not only their playing and coaching accolades but for their commitment to excellence and respect for their teammates, opponents and sport.
Citing his motivation and inspiration to teammates, as well as his leadership of both the Army hockey team and as a member of the Corps of Cadets Chain of Command, McKelvie is the first collegiate varsity athlete to receive the award.
A senior from New Brighton, Minn., McKelvie serves as the Brigade Athletics Officer, was team captain, played in 33 games, scored five goals and handed out 12 assists, was a key contributor on both the power play and penalty kill units and won the fastest skater competition at the NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge. A two-time Atlantic Hockey Association first team all-star and a three-time member of the AHA Academic All-Star Team, McKelvie is a Management/Systems Engineering major.
Kovaci, who recently completed her second season as the head volleyball coach, is the first coach of an NCAA sport to win the prestigious award. She was praised for earning the respect and trust of her athletes and making a profound impact on their lives both as an athlete and future office. In her two seasons as a head coach, Kovaci has led the Black Knights to a 50-9 mark and into the Patriot League semifinals both seasons. In her second campaign, Kovaci guided Army to a share of the Patriot League title with American, Army’s first conference championship.
Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award Winners
2009
Intercollegiate: Coach Alma Kovaci (volleyball) and Zach McKelvie (hockey)
Competitive Club: Coach Ray Barone (boxing) and Courtney Miller (crew)
Company Athletics: Maj. Brad Fenske (cycling ) and Charles Harris (football)
2008
John Harmeling, team handball; Coach John McVan (company athletics basketball)
2007
Cory Kastl (boxing) and Joe Imbriaco (triathlon); Coach Marie Johnson (women’s lacrosse)
This marks the fourth time that the U.S. Military Academy has presented the award but the first time NCAA athletes and coaches were eligible to win. The first three awards honored cadets who compete in company athletics.
McKelvie and Kovaci were presented with their awards during a special ceremony in the Mess Hall with Krzyzewski, a 1969 USMA graduate and now Duke head basketball coach, Superintendent Lt. Gen. Franklin Hagenbeck and Master of the Sword Col. Greg Daniels as well as Athletics Director Kevin Anderson.
The awards recognize West Point athletes and coaches for their outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership. The cadet recipient exemplifies the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage both on-and-off the “fields of friendly strife.”
The coach recipient is an exceptional leader who exemplifies the Army Values of integrity, respect, selfless service, duty, honor, loyalty, and personal courage. This individual does much more than win games he or she earns the respect and trust of athletes and makes a profound impact on their lives both as athletes and officers.
Dubbed the “Coach K” awards, McKelvie and Kovaci were recognized for not only their playing and coaching accolades but for their commitment to excellence and respect for their teammates, opponents and sport.
Citing his motivation and inspiration to teammates, as well as his leadership of both the Army hockey team and as a member of the Corps of Cadets Chain of Command, McKelvie is the first collegiate varsity athlete to receive the award.
A senior from New Brighton, Minn., McKelvie serves as the Brigade Athletics Officer, was team captain, played in 33 games, scored five goals and handed out 12 assists, was a key contributor on both the power play and penalty kill units and won the fastest skater competition at the NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge. A two-time Atlantic Hockey Association first team all-star and a three-time member of the AHA Academic All-Star Team, McKelvie is a Management/Systems Engineering major.
Kovaci, who recently completed her second season as the head volleyball coach, is the first coach of an NCAA sport to win the prestigious award. She was praised for earning the respect and trust of her athletes and making a profound impact on their lives both as an athlete and future office. In her two seasons as a head coach, Kovaci has led the Black Knights to a 50-9 mark and into the Patriot League semifinals both seasons. In her second campaign, Kovaci guided Army to a share of the Patriot League title with American, Army’s first conference championship.
Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award Winners
2009
Intercollegiate: Coach Alma Kovaci (volleyball) and Zach McKelvie (hockey)
Competitive Club: Coach Ray Barone (boxing) and Courtney Miller (crew)
Company Athletics: Maj. Brad Fenske (cycling ) and Charles Harris (football)
2008
John Harmeling, team handball; Coach John McVan (company athletics basketball)
2007
Cory Kastl (boxing) and Joe Imbriaco (triathlon); Coach Marie Johnson (women’s lacrosse)
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