2024 President’s Award Recipient
Gerry McNamara
Gerry McNamara virtually took over Central New York during his Syracuse University basketball career. By the time his four-year tenure on “The Hill” was completed, he had earned a spot among the most recognizable players in program history.
He returned to Syracuse to join the Orange coaching staff as a graduate assistant. In 2011-12, he was promoted to a full-time assistant coaching post. When Adrian Autry was named head coach, he elevated McNamara to associate head coach. McNamara works primarily with Syracuse’s guards and as a recruiter and opponent scout.
Syracuse has made NCAA Tournament appearances in nine of his 14 seasons as an assistant and reached the Final Four in 2013 and 2016. He was part of a staff which guided the Orange into the Sweet 16 in 2018 and 2021.
McNamara has tutored NBA performers Buddy Boeheim (Detroit), Michael Carter-Williams (Orlando), Tyler Ennis (LA Lakers), Elijah Hughes (Portland) and Dion Waiters (LA Lakers).
His freshman season was nothing short of spectacular as McNamara and the Orange raced all the way to the 2003 NCAA Championship. In the 2004 NCAA Tournament, McNamara tallied a career-high 43 points against BYU to help SU into the “Sweet 16.”
In 2004-05, McNamara earned first-team All-BIG EAST Conference recognition and was named to the BIG EAST Conference All-Tournament Team. He made 107 3-points during the season, a school record. McNamara led the Orange to the 2006 BIG EAST Tournament championship and was presented with the Dave Gavitt Award as most outstanding player in the event. McNamara was a first-team all-conference selection again. Syracuse earned NCAA Tournament spots in 2005 and 2006, making it four straight years for McNamara.
He remains the school record holder in season (107) and career (400) 3-point baskets at Syracuse. McNamara’s 4,799 career minutes played is another school standard.
McNamara pursued a career in the professional ranks and performed overseas and in the NBA Developmental League. He went to training camp with the NBA’s Utah Jazz in 2008 but was the last player released.
He and his wife, Katie, reside in Syracuse with their two sons, Gerry and Patrick, and two daughters, Maggie and Grace.