Photo by: Sullivan Lawrence
American Cancer Society Awards McDermott Prestigious St. George National Award
4/23/2026 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. – Greg McDermott was honored with the St. George National Award on Wednesday night during Creighton Men's Basketball's season-ending banquet. The St. George National Award is the American Cancer Society's highest honor for volunteers and is presented annually to a select group of individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to advancing the organization's mission.
Established in 1949, the award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, and service across cancer research, patient support, and community engagement. With more than one million ACS volunteers nationwide, this distinction is highly selective and reflects exceptional, measurable impact sustained over multiple years.
Recipients of the St. George National Award exemplify service to ACS through multiple areas of focus, demonstrate continuous leadership, and serve as ambassadors for the mission in ways that broaden community awareness and inspire others to engage. McDermott's decades-long commitment to Coaches vs. Cancer, and his leadership both on and off the court, make this recognition especially meaningful.
For more than 20 years, McDermott has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the American Cancer Society, serving as one of ACS's most visible and influential volunteer partners in the North Region. He has played a pivotal role in advancing the Society's mission through his work with Coaches vs. Cancer, his long-standing support of the Omaha Hope Lodge, and his ability to mobilize the broader Creighton and Omaha communities in the fight against cancer.
McDermott helped create and develop the Coaches vs. Cancer Tip-Off Breakfast in Omaha, which brings the three area Division I Men's Basketball coaches together each fall to raise funds for the Hope Lodge.
In addition to his local impact, he serves on the National Coaches vs. Cancer Council, lending his voice, experience, and credibility to national strategy discussions and helping shape the direction of the organization's signature collegiate initiative.
Among his most significant contributions is his leadership of the Creighton Men's Basketball Pink Out Game, which has become one of the most recognizable cancer-awareness events in college athletics. Under McDermott's guidance, the annual Pink Out Game has grown into a powerful community tradition that unites players, fans, survivors, and families in a shared commitment to ending cancer. The event consistently fills CHI Health Center Omaha with thousands of fans dressed in pink, creates widespread regional awareness, and generates critical funds for ACS each year. McDermott's personal advocacy and enthusiasm have elevated this event into a model that other collegiate programs seek to emulate. His leadership has contributed to raising more than $1 million to date for ACS programs and services.
Beyond fundraising and awareness, McDermott has been a steadfast supporter of the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Omaha, promoting the facility's mission of providing free lodging to patients and caregivers traveling for treatment and personally providing financial support each year.
Across all his efforts—local, regional, and national—McDermott consistently uses his platform, influence, and time to advance ACS's mission in Development, Patient Support, and community awareness.
McDermott embodies the qualities recognized by the St. George National Award. His sustained leadership, measurable impact, and unwavering dedication have produced meaningful, lasting benefits for cancer patients and their families. Through fundraising innovation, community mobilization, and national leadership, he has significantly advanced the American Cancer Society's strategic goals and his work continues to inspire others and stand as an exceptional example of volunteer leadership at the highest level.
Recipients are selected from various regions, reflecting diverse contributions to ACS programs and community engagement. Nationally, examples of notable honorees include Norm Stewart, Phil Martelli, and Fran Dunphy.
McDermott retired earlier this month after 16 years leading the Bluejays. He is the winningest coach in program history with 366 victories.
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Established in 1949, the award recognizes outstanding leadership, dedication, and service across cancer research, patient support, and community engagement. With more than one million ACS volunteers nationwide, this distinction is highly selective and reflects exceptional, measurable impact sustained over multiple years.
Recipients of the St. George National Award exemplify service to ACS through multiple areas of focus, demonstrate continuous leadership, and serve as ambassadors for the mission in ways that broaden community awareness and inspire others to engage. McDermott's decades-long commitment to Coaches vs. Cancer, and his leadership both on and off the court, make this recognition especially meaningful.
For more than 20 years, McDermott has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the American Cancer Society, serving as one of ACS's most visible and influential volunteer partners in the North Region. He has played a pivotal role in advancing the Society's mission through his work with Coaches vs. Cancer, his long-standing support of the Omaha Hope Lodge, and his ability to mobilize the broader Creighton and Omaha communities in the fight against cancer.
McDermott helped create and develop the Coaches vs. Cancer Tip-Off Breakfast in Omaha, which brings the three area Division I Men's Basketball coaches together each fall to raise funds for the Hope Lodge.
In addition to his local impact, he serves on the National Coaches vs. Cancer Council, lending his voice, experience, and credibility to national strategy discussions and helping shape the direction of the organization's signature collegiate initiative.
Among his most significant contributions is his leadership of the Creighton Men's Basketball Pink Out Game, which has become one of the most recognizable cancer-awareness events in college athletics. Under McDermott's guidance, the annual Pink Out Game has grown into a powerful community tradition that unites players, fans, survivors, and families in a shared commitment to ending cancer. The event consistently fills CHI Health Center Omaha with thousands of fans dressed in pink, creates widespread regional awareness, and generates critical funds for ACS each year. McDermott's personal advocacy and enthusiasm have elevated this event into a model that other collegiate programs seek to emulate. His leadership has contributed to raising more than $1 million to date for ACS programs and services.
Beyond fundraising and awareness, McDermott has been a steadfast supporter of the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Omaha, promoting the facility's mission of providing free lodging to patients and caregivers traveling for treatment and personally providing financial support each year.
Across all his efforts—local, regional, and national—McDermott consistently uses his platform, influence, and time to advance ACS's mission in Development, Patient Support, and community awareness.
McDermott embodies the qualities recognized by the St. George National Award. His sustained leadership, measurable impact, and unwavering dedication have produced meaningful, lasting benefits for cancer patients and their families. Through fundraising innovation, community mobilization, and national leadership, he has significantly advanced the American Cancer Society's strategic goals and his work continues to inspire others and stand as an exceptional example of volunteer leadership at the highest level.
Recipients are selected from various regions, reflecting diverse contributions to ACS programs and community engagement. Nationally, examples of notable honorees include Norm Stewart, Phil Martelli, and Fran Dunphy.
McDermott retired earlier this month after 16 years leading the Bluejays. He is the winningest coach in program history with 366 victories.
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