Tom Colwell Lifetime Achievement Award

The GKCBCA Lifetime Achievement Award was renamed the Tom Colwell Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, in honor of the longtime coach at Bishop Miege, Blue Valley North and St. Thomas Aquinas high schools, in addition to prior positions as head coach and Athletic Director at St. Benedict's College (now Benedictine College).

In his more than 40-year career, Tom taught and coached more than 7,500 students and athletes, and inspired dozens of former students and players to pursue teaching and coaching careers.

Tom Colwell passed away in 2002, but his influence can still be felt thoughout the greater Kansas City basketball, as former assistant coaches and players include (but not limited to): Mickey Masterson (SM South HS), Sean Reilly (St. Thomas Aquinas HS), Ed Fritz (Blue Valley Northwest HS), Mark Huppe (Rockhurst University), Bill O'Conner (Rockhurst University) and Doug Bruce (Rockhurst HS Athletic Director).

Previous Tom Colwell Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

2008 - Walt Shublom
2007 - Jim Draper
2006 - Lee Kariker, William Jewell College
2005 - Norb Schmidt, long-time KC area coach
2004 - Keith Lindsay, Kansas City Kansas-area basketball
2003 - Lafayette Norwood, Johnson County Community College
2002 - Jim Gurley, Shawnee Mission South