University Honors Karpovich With Carlesimo Award

University honors Scranton golf legend.
University Honors Karpovich With Carlesimo Award

On June 14, the University honored Scranton golf legend Ed Karpovich ’76, G’86 with the 2021 Peter A. Carlesimo Award at the annual Carlesimo Golf Tournament & Award Dinner at Glenmaura National Golf Club.

The event raised more than $100,000 for Scranton Athletics. Quandel Construction Group served as the event’s title sponsor.

More than 160 alumni and friends of the University participated in the golf tournament, and an additional 50 guests attended the award dinner.

Cheers erupted from Royal and friend alike as Dave Martin, executive director of Athletics at the University, recognized Karpovich, the guest of honor, prior to the beginning of the meal.

“The University is proud to honor one of our very own tonight, University of Scranton coaching legend Eddie Karpovich, with the 2021 Peter A. Carlesimo Award,” Martin said before introducing the evening’s speakers: current softball player Lauren Cawley ’23, a secondary education and math major, basketball legend P.J. Carlesimo, the son of the University athletic director the award is named after, and, on his very first day on the job, the Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., the twenty-ninth president of The University of Scranton.

“I would like to start by saying, ‘Thank you,’” Cawley said. “Thank you … for the generous support you have all provided. Because of you, Scranton athletes are able to have a transformative experience both on and off the field as we journey through our four years.”

Father Marina spoke next, mentioning some of Karpovich’s outstanding achievements prior to providing the evening’s Invocation.

“Under Ed’s great coaching, golf at Scranton has achieved nearly 400 wins,” Marina said. “Absolutely amazing. He’s obviously touched countless lives for the better.”

After dinner, Carlesimo spoke about the parallels between Karpovich’s legacy and that of his late father.

“Karp, I’m really here representing our family, and especially my father,” he said. “To continue to have my father’s name associated with the University is really meaningful to our family.

“Karp reminds me an awful lot of my father in how much he cared about this school and the students that he worked with at this school. He’s meant so much to it, and I’m so happy that his name is on the Carlesimo Award.”

After receiving the award, Karpovich expressed his gratitude for the continued support of the event’s attendees on behalf of his fellow Scranton coaches.

“We appreciate this from the bottom of our heart,” he said, “and this tournament just helps every athletic team out in a big way, so thank you.

“I am honored and privileged to get this award.”

A remarkable career

Karpovich has been a part of the men’s golf program at the University for more than four decades. In 39 seasons as the head men’s golf coach at the University, he has compiled an overall record of 354-120-2 in dual match competition. He also led Scranton to a Middle Atlantic Conference team championship in 1988. That team, which featured All-American and MAC individual champion Will Carey III ‘88, set a school record with a 24-0 regular season mark. Thirty-four of his players have earned all-conference honors, while two – Carey and Mike Chomicz – have competed in the NCAA Division III championships.

In the fall of 2016, Karpovich was instrumental in starting the women’s golf program at the University. In five seasons as the women’s head coach, he has led the Royals to 32 dual match victories.

Karpovich has also been an ambassador for the sport, joining former King’s College head coach Tom Davis in 1999 to found the Glenmaura National Collegiate Invitational, an annual event that attracts some of the top Division III talent in the region. Glenmaura National also serves as the Royals’ home course. In addition, he served on the NCAA regional committee in 2011.

Karpovich is a 1976 graduate of the University and a member of its prestigious Wall of Fame. As a player, he led the Royals to three MAC team titles (1973, 1975, 1976) while capturing MAC individual championships in 1974 and 1976. He also competed in the 1974 and 1976 NCAA championships, finishing tied for 150th in 1974 and tied for 42nd in 1976. He currently serves as treasurer of Lackawanna County.

About the event

Named in honor of Peter A. Carlesimo, former University of Scranton coach and athletics director, the Carlesimo Golf Tournament & Award Dinner celebrates athletics at the University by honoring a person who has made special contributions to athletics and Catholic education. The Golf Tournament and Award Dinner serves as a fundraising event to support and enhance the student-athlete experience at Scranton. To see photos from this year’s event, visit this link. For more information, visit scranton.edu/carlesimoaward.

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