Oakland University women’s head basketball coach Beckie Francis has won the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award for her efforts to raise awareness for child sexual abuse victims.

“I am very honored and humbled to receive this award,” Francis wrote in a press release. “It wasn’t easy to speak out after years of silence but to receive support and encouragement like this, reinforces just how important it is not to remain silent on the topic of sexual abuse. I am grateful to the USBWA for their support.”

In its 25th year, the Most Courageous Award is the USBWA’s third-oldest award, following the male and female player of the year awards. It is presented annually to honor athletes, coaches, officials or administrators in college athletics who have demonstrated courage while facing adversity.

The award is presented to one male and one female each year. Previous winners include Jim Valavano, Steve Kerr and Pat Summitt. This year’s male recipient is Dick Kelly, the sports information director for Boston College. Kelly was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2011 and has continued his work with the team.

Francis said her initial reaction to the honor was shock and appreciation for her colleagues in the athletic department who nominated her. She said the award was especially humbling because Summitt is one of her personal idols.

“When I was told it was the Pat Summitt award, it meant even more to me because I look up to her so much. She’s an idol in this profession. She’s just a trailblazer,” Francis said.

Summitt is the head coach emeritus of the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team. She is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history for either a men’s or women’s team in any division.

She coached the Lady Vols from 1974 to 2012, when she stepped down after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In 2012, Summitt was recognized by President Barack Obama with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2012 ESPY Awards.

Francis’ own act of courage took place when she broke her silence on a national level in October, telling the Associated Press about her experience as a victim of sexual abuse.

She then began working with advocate and fellow survivor, Erin Merryn, to pass legislation requiring age-appropriate education for students about sexual abuse.

The legislation, called Erin’s Law, was passed in both the house and senate and was signed into law in January.

Francis provided personal testimony and spent 18 hours lobbying at the capitol with a group of supporters, including Senators John Proos, Rebekah Warren and Judy Emmons and Tori Rexford, Governor Snyder’s Deputy Director of Scheduling.

OU hosted its first Awareness Without Fear game Jan.12. At the game, the legislators were recognized and more than $1,000 was raised for HAVEN and CARE House, local organizations that support victims of abuse and assault.

For Francis, the award means even more awareness for her cause. It will be presented to Francis at the NCAA Women’s Final Four in New Orleans.

“I thought to myself, ‘Yes! Erin’s Law and this silent epidemic are going to get even more exposure from the national media,'” she said. “They (USWBA) just get it. For me to look at where I was even 10 years ago in my growth and healing, I would have never been able to talk so openly about it. For them to recognize that it took courage to do so was relieving and healing.”

Francis has led OU to 227 wins, ranking second in the program’s history, and is a two-time Summit League coach of the year. She has taken the team to the NCAA Tournament twice and has led them to four postseason appearances at the Division I level. Francis is ranked third in overall and league wins by a Summit League coach.