Louisville Trailblazers Freeman, Combs to Receive ACC UNITE Award

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Two trailblazers for the University of Louisville Athletics, Jim Freeman and Valerie (Owens) Combs, have been named among the recipients of the second annual ACC UNITE Award, as announced Thursday by the Atlantic Coast Conference.
 
The award was created to honor individuals affiliated with the league who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice. The UNITE Award is an initiative of the ACC’s Committee for Racial and Social Justice (CORE – Champions of Racial Equity) and was developed and approved by its 15 member institutions. 
 
The UNITE Award is presented annually to individuals who:
 
• Best exemplify ACC CORE’s mission to promote and encourage racial equity and social justice through education, partnerships, engagement and advocacy
 
• Have helped create meaningful, lasting change by improving systems, organizational structures, policies, practices and attitudes
 
• Have been a pioneer and/or helped pave the way for minorities either at the institution or in the community
 
Freeman was named Louisville’s head track and field coach from 1972-74, becoming the university’s first Black head coach. The Neptune, N.J., native was a standout sprinter, world record-holder and All-American who competed for Murray State from 1965-67 and was inducted into the Racer Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977.
 
Combs, a pioneer for the Louisville women’s basketball program in its beginning years, was the first woman to sign a letter of intent to attend UofL on a full-ride athletic scholarship for basketball in 1976. She played four seasons for the Cardinals and became the program’s first 1,000-point scorer. She was also a part of the 1980 team that won the Metro Conference Tournament Championship, the program’s first ever conference championship. Owens currently ranks 26th in program history with 1,085 career points and is tied for third for most rebounds in a single game with 22. She was inducted to the Louisville Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.
 
“We are proud to honor the ACC UNITE Award winners who have made significant contributions in the areas of racial and social justice,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “These 30 individuals are true pioneers who inspire us with their contributions to a more diverse and equal society. As a conference we will remain steadfast…