MBWA Distinguished Service Award

In 2025, the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association announced the MBWA’s Distinguished Service Award,   which previously did not carry a name, will be jointly called the Carlesimo/Powers Distinguished Service Award. Former collegiate administrators Peter Carlesimo and Jack Powers were the first and only two fulltime executive directors of the National Invitation Tournament, which was established by the Met Writers in 1938.   

A longtime coach and athletic administrator, Peter Carlesimo was a particularly dear friend of the Met Basketball Writers. For years, he served as a coach and administrator at Scranton University before moving to his alma mater, Fordham, as athletic director (1968-78).
 
After considerable accomplishments at both those schools, he became the first fulltime executive director (1978-88) of the National Invitation Tournament. He was instrumental in launching the preseason NIT, which has added so much vitality along with an exciting event to the world of college basketball. For years, Carlesimo attended the annual MBWA postseason awards dinners, often serving as the keynote speaker. A native of Newark, NJ, he died in 2003 at the age of 87.
 
John J. “Jack” Powers, who was raised in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, passed away this past Feb. 27 at the age of 89. A longtime Eastchester, NY, resident, he attended Manhattan Prep before embarking on a stellar two-sport career at Manhattan College in baseball and basketball. A 1958 graduate, he led the Jaspers basketball team to two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT berth, solidifying his playing legacy with a 29-point, 15-rebound performance in an 89-84 NIT upset over Jerry West’s West Virginia team.
 
After a brief stint coaching at Mamaroneck (NY) High School, Powers returned to Manhattan in 1968. Over 10 seasons, he led the Jaspers to four NIT appearances, a 1973 ECAC Holiday Festival title and a 142-114 record. As Director of Athletics following his coaching career, he oversaw major growth in both men’s and women’s programs at Manhattan while advocating tirelessly for student-athletes.
 
Powers succeeded Carlesimo as executive director of the NIT in 1988 and served in that role until 2005, when the NCAA purchased control of the event and subsequently moved the tournament’s Final Four out of New York following the 2022 season. For nearly 20 years under Powers’ administration, the NIT was the title sponsor of the MBWA’s All-Met Haggerty Awards dinner, enabling the prestigious postseason program to continue and thrive.
 

2025	Val Ackerman, Gerald Holmes
2024	Joe Clinton, Noreen Morris
2023	Irma Garcia
2022	Mark Corino, Russell Rogers
2021	not awarded
2020	not awarded
2019	Dan Gavitt
2018	Kathy Meehan, Joe Nesci
2017	Jim Sheehan, Terry Wansart
2016	Ed Corbett, Gerald Oswald
2015	Linda Bruno, Jon Halpert
2014	Joel Fisher, Frank McLaughlin, Dennis O'Donnell
2013	Bob Adams, John Paquette, Joe Quinlan
2012	Bob Byrnes, Walt Hameline, Ray Rankis
2011	Joel Blumberg, Tim Higgins, Bob Wolff
2010	Gene Doris, Jim Haney
2009	Mike Granelli, Steve Smith
2008	not awarded
2007	Tom Lopes, Chris Monasch, Larry Schiner
2006	Nick Macarchuk, Dianne Nolan
2005	Ray Amalbert, Cal Ramsey
2004	Bill Stein
2003	Edgar Cartotto, Mickey Crowley, Brad Tracy
2002	Jim Lennon, Richie Regan
2001	Burt Beagle, Carol Blazejowski
2000	J.B. Buono, John “Doc” Johnson, Lou Rossini
1999	Rich Ensor, Bill Steinman
1998	Mike Tranghese
1997	Bernie Beglane, Bob Mulcahy
1996	Pete Carril, Paul Munick, Jack Powers
1995	Bob Gesslein, Jack Kaiser, Paul Lizzo, Dan Quilty
1994	Ralph Arietta, Butch van Breda Kolff