Tamika Catchings, a household name in basketball and a beacon of community leadership and entrepreneurialism in Indianapolis, is being honored with the inaugural Kevin R. Armstrong Ethical Leadership Award. The accolade recognizes Catchings for her stellar performance on the basketball court and her profound impact off the court through her work with the Catch the Stars Foundation.
The award ceremony, scheduled for April 2 at 4 p.m., is occurring at the Schwitzer Student Center on the University of Indianapolis campus. The University of Indianapolis, founded in 1902, is committed to providing quality education while instilling a sense of service among its students.
Catchings, known for her illustrious career in the WNBA and helping the Indiana Fever secure a championship in 2012, has made an indelible mark through her foundation, which focuses on empowering youth with fitness, literacy and mentoring programs.
“Tamika Catchings embodies both the character and the spirit of what this award is all about,” Kevin R. Armstrong, the trustee who the award is named after, said in a statement. “Through Catchings’ story, our community can identify lessons for how to transform success in one arena of life into a movement that changes the lives of others for the better.”
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The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate a sustained commitment to enhancing the community through ethical leadership.
Catchings is the first-ever recipient of the Armstrong Award, underscoring her nearly two decades of dedicated service through the Catch the Stars Foundation that has positively impacted thousands of children and teenagers.
“I am incredibly grateful to be recognized as the inaugural recipient of this award,” Catchings said in a statement. “Because of hearing loss and other challenges, I’ve had to overcome many obstacles both as a child and as an adult. Everyone must forge their own path, but I hope others see how I persevered and understand they, too, can achieve greatness and make their dreams come true with passion, determination, and integrity.”
The Kevin R. Armstrong Ethical Leadership Award, which serves as a reminder of an individual’s profound impact on their communities through integrity, determination and commitment to service, celebrates Catchings’ extensive achievements both on and off the court.
Contact senior sports writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral.
