PHOENIX (USBWA) – Rhet Wierzba, who has played a prominent role in the success of Teri Moren’s teams at Indiana University for the past 12 seasons, the last five as associate head coach, received the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association here Friday morning.
Wierzba has contributed to the Indiana program during the past two seasons despite a diagnosis of brain cancer in June, 2024. He was joined at the breakfast by his wife Tiffany and members of his extended family.
Wierzba has contributed to the Indiana program during the past two seasons despite a diagnosis of brain cancer in June 2024. He was joined at the breakfast by his wife Tiffany and members of his extended family.
“It’s very humbling to be even mentioned in the same sentence as Coach Summitt,” Wierzba said. “She is one of the most courageous, successful, impactful coaches of all time, regardless of gender, regardless of sport.”
“He is a great example of what courage looks like, and commitment,” said Moren. “Even on his hardest days, it’s about showing up.”
Under Wierzba’s guidance as Associate Head Coach, Indiana’s post players have been named All-Big Ten 11 times. Mackenzie Holmes became the first member of the Indiana women’s program to be named first-team All-American by the USBWA, WBCA and Associated Press. Indiana has won 20 or more games in 10 of his 12 seasons, with seven NCAA tournament appearances.
“He’s been incredible, and his wife, Tiff,” Moren said. “Just perspective every day that they’ve both given us. His fingerprints are on everything that we’ve been able to do in our program.
“Every day he’s an inspiration,” Moren continued. “Every day he comes with the same passion and commitment, and continues to make an impact on our student-athletes. He has so many different gifts. The thing that he has continued to do every day – one, he’s never complained. And two, he walks in every day with the big smile that we’re used to and the energy that we’re used to, and just continues to try to impact in some way.”
Wierzba said his connection with the program has provided motivation during the most challenging moments. “The first couple of days when I was back after having surgery, it gave me something to look forward to every day,” he said. “Getting to practice, and being around the team, being around the coaches. Having basketball as something to look forward to, especially on the tough days when you really don’t feel like doing much – OK, we’ve got this coming up, and I’ve got to be positive for them.”
Wierzba is the second person from the Indiana University basketball community to be recognized with a Most Courageous Award from the USBWA. Landon Turner, a member of the 1981 Indiana men’s NCAA championship team who was injured in an automobile accident during the following summer, was honored in 1989 for his involvement in a wheelchair basketball league.
The USBWA has presented a Most Courageous Award since 1978. The 2025-26 season marks the 15th that the USBWA has presented an award recognizing courage in women’s basketball named for Summitt, the Hall-of-Fame coach at the University of Tennessee and the 1984 U.S. Olympic team. Previous winners include the girls basketball team at Palisades Charter High School, the late Joye-Lee McNelis of Southern Mississippi, Kendall Currence of Northeastern University and Lauren Hill of Mount St. Joseph University.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With more than 700 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. The USBWA has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at (814) 574-1485.
ALL-TIME PAT SUMMITT MOST COURAGEOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS
2012: Pat Summitt, Tennessee
2013: Beckie Francis, Oakland
2014: Kirsten Moore, Westmont College
2015: Lauren Hill, Mount St. Joseph University
2016: Danielle O’Banion
2017: Holly Rowe, ESPN and Angel Elderkin, Appalachian State
2018: Avery Marz, Saint Joseph’s
2019: David Six, Hampton
2020: Lauren Cox, Baylor and Whitney Cox, Lubbock Christian
2021: Tiana Mangakahia, Syracuse
2022: Kendall Currence, Northeastern
2023: Angelique Francis, Little Rock
2024: Joye-Lee McNelis, Southern Miss
2025: Palisades (Calif.) Charter H.S.
2026: Rhet Wierzba, Indiana