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Mike Young Named 2022 E&H Alumni Award Honoree

Posted by Monica Hoel
Michael K. Young, E&H Class of 1986, has been chosen by the Emory & Henry Alumni Association as the 2022 Distinguished Achievement honoree.

A native of Radford, Virginia, Mike Young first made a name as an outstanding college basketball coach while serving at Wofford College. He began his college coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, working as assistant coach to E&H’s legendary Bob Johnson.

After a short stint at Radford University, he moved to Wofford as an assistant coach in 1989, and became Wofford head coach in 2001. Mike spent 30 years at Wofford, during which time the school transitioned from Division II to Division I and finally to the Southern Conference where they still play today. As head coach he delivered Wofford’s first winning SoCon record and their first win over a top-25 team, beating #5 North Carolina in 2017. He led the Terriers to their first Southern Conference Championship in 2010 and won again in 2011, 2015, and 2019.

He became head coach at Virginia Tech in 2019. Right out of the box, he delivered a new school record with a 100-64 win over Delaware State and an ACC record with 21 3-pointers.

He is a 4x Southern Conference Coach of the Year and also Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year in 2010. And at the conclusion of the 2021 season, he was named ACC Coach of the Year.

He has remained in close touch with his alma mater in a variety of capacities. He did an inspiring video of encouragement for E&H students during the pandemic, and he has frequently participated as a gracious host for alumni gatherings connected to his games.

The Distinguished Achievement Award is given annually to recognize remarkable accomplishment in a volunteer or professional capacity. See other honorees here.

Watch for a video presentation about this year’s honorees to be launched on YouTube on March 24, 2022.

The full list of 2022 Outstanding Alumni Award honorees includes:
Carl and Ruth Looney Humanitarian Award:
Charlie Phillips, E&H Class of 1960
Retired attorney, proponent of pro bono assistance for his community

Distinguished Achievement:
Mike Young, E&H Class of 1986
Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Virginia Tech

A.L. Mitchell Young Alumni of the Year:
Stephen and Jessica Curtis Callahan, E&H Class of 2011
Owners and proprietors of Tennessee Hills Distillery

Fred Selfe Service to Emory & Henry:
Cyndi Jennings, E&H Class of 1991

James A. Davis Faculty Award:
Dr. Eric Coley, E&H Class of 2004
Emory & Henry School of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy Department Chair

Please consider making an alumni award nomination!
 Read more about the awards.
Use this form to make a nomination by Jan. 31 in any given year.

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Mike Young E&H Class of 1986 2022 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Mike Young
E&H Class of 1986
2022 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year

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