Army West Point Athletics
McMullen Honored As Coach K Award Recipient
April 30, 2020 | Women's Track and Field, Athletics
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Senior captain Calli McMullen of the Army West Point women's track and field team has been named a recipient of the Mike Krzyzewski Award for Excellence in Teaching Character Through Sport on Thursday.
Â
"The Coach K award is the culmination of hard work that not only myself, but also the hard work that my coaches, teammates, family and mentors invested in me," McMullen said. "Winning the award has given me a renewed appreciation for leadership and mentorship."
Â
The award recognizes 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."
Â
"It goes without saying that this award is an incredible honor for Calli and, in turn, for our track and field program," Army Director of Cross Country and Track and Field and 2019 Coach K Award winner Mike Smith said. "The Coach K award is synonymous with the pursuit of excellence and I know she is humbled by the comparison."
Â
Throughout her storied career at Army, McMullen has been recognized for not only her athletic success but also for his commitment to excellence and respect for her teammates, opponents and the sport.
Â
"At an Academy built on leadership and excellence, we are incredibly proud to honor those who have exemplified the mission to make a difference on and off the field," Director of Athletics Mike Buddie said. "Calli has cemented a legacy that future cadet-athletes will aim to emulate, and we know that she will continue to inspire those around her when she takes on her next great mission as a member of the United States Army."
Â
In her four years at the Academy, McMullen established herself as one of the program's all-time greats. She broke Army West Point academy records an incredible 19 times. McMullen is a 10-time Patriot League Champion and a 13-time Army-Navy Star Meet champion. She graduates with five Service Academy records and as the Patriot League's all-time record holder in the 200-meter dash. Her 23.82 run against Navy in 2020 was the first sub-24 second run in the 200-meter dash in Service Academy history. A two-year captain and seven-time varsity letter winner, McMullen holds the Army record in eight of the nine events she competed in over the course of her career.
Â
"In the summer before she arrived at West Point, Calli said, 'I am looking forward to this experience as an opportunity to reach a new level of humility and understanding of what it means to follow before I am able to lead.' and she never strayed far from those words," Smith said. "She often ended a conversation with me by saying, 'Coach, I trust you.' and I knew she meant it. Her investment in the program was complete and she grew into our unquestioned team leader."
Â
The Haddock, Ga., native will branch Signal Corps as a member of the 35th Signal Brigade at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina.
Â
"The leadership lessons I've learned from West Point have become part of my testimony," McMullen said. "As I embark on my next journey, these lessons of leadership and mentorship will remain steadfast in my heart."
Â
Â
"The Coach K award is the culmination of hard work that not only myself, but also the hard work that my coaches, teammates, family and mentors invested in me," McMullen said. "Winning the award has given me a renewed appreciation for leadership and mentorship."
Â
The award recognizes 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."
Â
"It goes without saying that this award is an incredible honor for Calli and, in turn, for our track and field program," Army Director of Cross Country and Track and Field and 2019 Coach K Award winner Mike Smith said. "The Coach K award is synonymous with the pursuit of excellence and I know she is humbled by the comparison."
Â
Throughout her storied career at Army, McMullen has been recognized for not only her athletic success but also for his commitment to excellence and respect for her teammates, opponents and the sport.
Â
"At an Academy built on leadership and excellence, we are incredibly proud to honor those who have exemplified the mission to make a difference on and off the field," Director of Athletics Mike Buddie said. "Calli has cemented a legacy that future cadet-athletes will aim to emulate, and we know that she will continue to inspire those around her when she takes on her next great mission as a member of the United States Army."
Â
In her four years at the Academy, McMullen established herself as one of the program's all-time greats. She broke Army West Point academy records an incredible 19 times. McMullen is a 10-time Patriot League Champion and a 13-time Army-Navy Star Meet champion. She graduates with five Service Academy records and as the Patriot League's all-time record holder in the 200-meter dash. Her 23.82 run against Navy in 2020 was the first sub-24 second run in the 200-meter dash in Service Academy history. A two-year captain and seven-time varsity letter winner, McMullen holds the Army record in eight of the nine events she competed in over the course of her career.
Â
"In the summer before she arrived at West Point, Calli said, 'I am looking forward to this experience as an opportunity to reach a new level of humility and understanding of what it means to follow before I am able to lead.' and she never strayed far from those words," Smith said. "She often ended a conversation with me by saying, 'Coach, I trust you.' and I knew she meant it. Her investment in the program was complete and she grew into our unquestioned team leader."
Â
The Haddock, Ga., native will branch Signal Corps as a member of the 35th Signal Brigade at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina.
Â
"The leadership lessons I've learned from West Point have become part of my testimony," McMullen said. "As I embark on my next journey, these lessons of leadership and mentorship will remain steadfast in my heart."
Â
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Women's Track and FieldWednesday, May 27
Saturday, May 23
Monday, May 11
Thursday, April 30