Jerica Williams to receive Spirit of Detroit Award at Nov. 21 home opener

November 17, 2023

Jerica Williams coachingJerica Williams is a trailblazer and is now being honored prior to the first men's basketball home game of the season.

At the beginning of òòò½ÎÑÊÓƵ's men's basketball home opener Tuesday, Nov. 21, City Council Member Angela Calloway will present the prestigious Spirit of Detroit Award to Williams for her outstanding achievement in becoming the program's first-ever female men's assistant coach. The game at Calihan Hall starts at 7 p.m.

The Spirit of Detroit Award is issued by the Detroit City Council to a person, event, or organization deemed to have performed an outstanding achievement or service to the citizens of Detroit.

Williams made history by becoming the first and only female assistant coach in NCAA Division I men's basketball, and she has maintained a standard of excellence as a coach and player throughout her basketball career. She's worked with top NBA talent such as four-time NBA Championship winner Steph Curry. Prior to her role at UDM, she was the girls basketball head coach at Detroit Country Day from 2020-22, where she was named Coach of the Year in her first two seasons after leading her team to back-to-back MHSAA Final Fours.

"Coach Jerica Williams is a history maker. Becoming the first women ever to be a men's basketball assistant coach in the NCAA Division I is no small feat and we are so proud of her," said Calloway. "I'm overjoyed that the University of òòò½ÎÑÊÓƵ chose her for this role, and I know she will be an inspiration to young women everywhere."

Calloway and the entire Detroit City Council commend coach Williams for her hard work and her amazing accomplishments.