Richard Lapchick

Internationally recognized human rights activist, pioneer for racial equality, scholar, and author Richard Lapchick is often described as "the racial conscience of sport." He brought his commitment to equality and his belief that sport can be an effective instrument of positive social change to the University of Central Florida, where he accepted an endowed chair in August 2001 to lead the DeVos Sports Business Management Program. Under his leadership, this program was named the nation's top MBA program for service in 2009 and the #2 graduate sport business management program in the world by SportBusiness International in 2015.

Lapchick is a columnist for ESPN.com and the Sports Business Journal. He has authored 17 books and delivered more than 2,800 public speeches. His extensive contributions to civil rights and humanitarian efforts have been widely recognized with numerous awards: - Lifetime Achievement Award for Work in Civil Rights from the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow/Push Coalition - Arthur Ashe Institute Leadership Award and the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award, both in 2021 - John Carlos and Tommie Smith Social Justice Champion Award - 2023 Stuart Scott Enspire ESPY Award

Lapchick has also been honored by induction into several halls of fame including the Sports Hall of Fame of the Commonwealth Nations, the NY City Basketball Hall of Fame, the National Basketball Retired Players Association, and the Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame. He has received ten honorary degrees and was named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Sports. Lapchick continues to extend his influence through board memberships at the George Floyd Memorial Center, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, United Abolitionists, and the onePULSE Foundation, as well as founding initiatives like the Hope for Stanley Alliance and Shut Out Trafficking, which underline his ongoing commitment to social justice and community advocacy.