WASHINGTON – Howard coach Nic Askew has been named recipient of the 2023 Drake Hero Award for his tenacious effort in college athletes in proving that Black athletes can excel in sports like swimming, diving, and tennis. Askew is one of only 32 Black head coaches in men’s tennis.   

Askew is director of Tennis, Swimming, and Diving at Howard University. Earlier this month, he was honored with the award at the Sack Symposium at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., by the Drake Group Education Fund.  

"To say I am honored is an understatement,” Askew said. “I could never express my gratitude enough to have received the 2023 Drake Hero Award. The recognition that my body of work is in alignment with their mission is something I hold in high regard.”  

In recognizing Askew, the Drake Group Education Fund said that his contributions as a role model are uniquely important. Askew is a Division I head coach for both tennis and swimming – two collegiate sports in need of more coaches of color. There are just four Black head coaches in men’s swimming and five in women’s swimming across all three NCAA competitive divisions. 

Askew said the organization stands at the forefront of making collegiate athletics a better place and ensuring the academic and ethical integrity of college sports.  

Kery Davis, director of athletics at Howard University, said he was beyond proud of Coach Askew’s achievements. “I am proud of everything he has accomplished, and I am excited to see what else he has in store to push our teams to greater heights,” he said.