The Patterson Medal holds great significance in the history of North Carolina. This year, four outstanding individuals were honored with this prestigious award.
If you’re a follower of North Carolina’s sports scene, you’re likely familiar with the revered Patterson Medal.
For those who may not know, the Patterson Award stands as the highest accolade in athletics at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Joseph Patterson established the medal in 1924 to commemorate his brother, John Durand Patterson, and it is primarily granted based on a recipient’s athletic achievements throughout their career.
Eligibility for the award necessitates a minimum of three seasons of competition for North Carolina teams and the conclusion of collegiate eligibility. Furthermore, sportsmanship and leadership play pivotal roles in the selection of student-athletes for this honor.
The 101st cohort of this esteemed award celebrates four individuals who have left an indelible mark on the University of North Carolina in various impactful ways.
Armando Bacot (men’s basketball), Fiona Crawley (women’s tennis), Austin Greaser (men’s golf), and Vance Honeycutt (baseball) have been named as the recipients of the Patterson Medal for the 2023-2024 academic year. These four student-athletes have collectively participated in an impressive 17 seasons representing the University of North Carolina.
Bacot has become the 33rd UNC basketball player to receive the Patterson Award, following in the footsteps of Luke Maye. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Bacot has made history as a Tar Heel, becoming the school’s all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles during his remarkable career at Chapel Hill.
Crawley is widely regarded as a champion, having secured 141 victories as a member of the UNC women’s tennis team. A four-time All-ACC and All-American selection, Crawley played an instrumental role in guiding the Tar Heels to their first National Championship in 2023, etching her name in Chapel Hill’s history books.
Greaser steered North Carolina to top-five finishes in all four NCAA Championships over the past few years, a remarkable achievement unrivaled by any other program in the nation during that period. His stellar performance led to a second-team All-America recognition in 2024, making him one of only two Tar Heels to earn All-ACC honors on four separate occasions alongside Dustin Bray.
Honeycutt, a highly touted prospect for the upcoming 2024 MLB Draft, leaves his mark as the home run leader for the Diamond Heels. Renowned as one of the top five-tool players in the country, Honeycutt showcased his speed, power, athleticism, and outstanding defensive skills throughout his three seasons as a Tar Heel. His exceptional contributions included leading the Tar Heels to the College World Series, earning him the distinction of being the first Diamond Heel ever to receive first-team All-America honors as a player and top academic recognition. He also captured two ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and was awarded a Rawlings Gold Glove for his remarkable defensive prowess.
This exceptional group of Tar Heels, chosen as the Patterson Medal recipients for the 2023-2024 academic year, comprises student-athletes whose legacy is sure to endure for years to come.
Congratulations to our 2024 Patterson Medal winners! ๐
๐ ๐๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ผ๐, @UNC_Basketball
๐ ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐น๐ฒ๐, @UNC_wtennis
๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ, @UNCmensGolf
๐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐, @DiamondHeels pic.twitter.com/lbSalH5GiI— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) July 10, 2024
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