Theta Chi’s Director of Housing, William Toothaker (Chi/Auburn 2011) recently traveled to Louisville, KY to present the 2013 Ralph “Shug” Jordan Award to Luke Hancock (Eta Chi/George Mason 2011).
Why is the 2013 award being presented in 2015 you ask? Here’s the scoop.
Hancock was initiated at Theta Chi’s Eta Chi/George Mason Chapter and later transferred to the University of Louisville. He played basketball at George Mason and Louisville, and was MVP of the 2013 Final Four when Louisville won the national championship. Hancock went on to play for Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets summer league teams in 2014, and was later signed to the 2014 Memphis Grizzlies twenty-man training camp roster. Not making the Grizzlies roster, Hancock was signed with a professional team in Greece. Hancock’s season was cut short when he tore his Achilles tendon, ending his basketball career.
Hancock returned to Louisville in early 2015 to work as a financial planner, and plans were made to deliver the long overdue award in October.
The Shug Jordan Award is named in honor and memory of Brother James Ralph “Shug” Jordan, of Chi Chapter at Auburn University, who served as Auburn’s head football coach from 1951 to 1975. Brother Jordan’s team went undefeated in the 1957 season and won that year’s National Championship.
The Grand Chapter created the Shug Jordan Award in 1996 to honor the scholar-athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership, citizenship, academics, brotherhood, loyalty to alma mater, and commitment to excellence in intercollegiate athletics.