JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University senior men's basketball standout Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) has been selected as the 2020 winner of the "Most Courageous Award" by the United States Basketball Writers Association. He is the first NCAA Division III male to ever win the award since its introduction in 1978.
The major national honor is bestowed annually to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary courage reflecting honor on the sport of amateur basketball. Toney learned he would be the 2020 winner of the award during a recent surprise team announcement [watch the video].
LINK: Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) documentary video
LINK: Once homeless, Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) wins college basketball's Most Courageous Award
LINK: Philadelphia Inquirer feature
LINK: USBWA feature: Toney's journey leads to Most Courageous Award
LINK: Past winners of the USBWA Most Courageous Award
LINK: Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) 2018-19 Highlight Video
The prestigious honor has previously been awarded to such distinguished individuals as Steve Kerr (1988), Jim Valvano (1993), Nolan Richardson (1995) and Pat Summitt (2012).
Toney's well-chronicled life story of overcoming a childhood spent in more than 50 foster homes and homeless as a young adult, to becoming a two-time NCAA Division III All-American and a two-time New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Year, inspired individuals all over the nation.
Malcolm Moran, the Executive Director of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, said: "Sam's story of resilience and persistence in overcoming his homelessness immediately became an inspiration to all of our board members. His college athletic career and his academic record would be remarkable under any circumstances, but to overcome such difficult challenges made those achievements very special."
Dr. Sue Henderson, the President of New Jersey City University stated: "I am deeply proud that Sam Toney (Plainfield, NJ/Williamstown) has been selected for this prestigious award. Sam's story of perseverance and determination to succeed in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles is an inspiration to student-athletes across the country and all sports. Sam is the epitome of transformation. He has distinguished himself on and off the court and will graduate from NJCU as a role model whom others can look to for strength when facing challenges in their own lives. I am proud to call Sam an NJCU Gothic Knight."
Toney had been slated to receive the award at the USBWA's annual luncheon during the 2020 NCAA Final Four on April 6, before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also was scheduled to be introduced to the crowd during the Division III National Championship Game at State Farm Arena on Sunday, April 5. Future plans to recognize Toney for the accomplishment will be announced in the future.
Shawn Tucker, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics added: "Sam has epitomized what it means to be a Gothic Knight. Gritty, opportunistic, tenacious, hungry, integral, and courageous. He has served as a wonderful ambassador for NJCU over the past four years and what a prestigious honor to receive as he pens the final paragraph on his collegiate chapter. Sam will always hold a special place in my heart and undoubtedly in the thousands of lives he has positively impacted over the years."
He finished his career in March as NJCU's only two-time All-American. He was the 2019 NJAC Male Athlete of the Year. Toney is just the fifth two-time NJAC Player of the Year in the NJAC since 1980. Toney is NJCU's fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,779 points and led the Gothic Knights to four postseason appearances including three consecutive NCAA Tournament berths from 2017-19.
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