The Jim Tatum Memorial Award was established in 1959 in honor of former UNC football coach James M. Tatum.
This award is presented annually under the auspices of the North Carolina Collegiate Athletic Association to an intercollegiate athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic performance and contributed to the university community through constructive participation in extracurricular activities.
This week, Alyssa Usby, star of the UNC women's basketball team and member of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, was announced as this year's recipient of the award.
We've seen what Usby is capable of on the basketball court. She is an All-ACC level player and is considered one of the best players at her position nationally. Courtney does a little bit of everything for her Bangert team, as her energy and high athleticism are two of her traits that immediately stand out when you watch her games.
Off the court, Usby has been just as valuable to the university, serving as a tremendous resource as well as a leader for the entire school community. She has used her ability to leverage her name, image, and likeness (NIL) to her advantage, but also her social media presence. Her videos highlight other teams and student-athletes that North Carolina has to offer throughout her series. She tries to participate in various sporting events.
When we think of the ideal “student-athlete,” Alyssa Usby epitomizes what a fellow student-athlete should aspire to be. Because her impact at the University of North Carolina is measured by more than just what. She accomplished it on the basketball court.