CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel basketball head coach Ed Conroy served as the keynote speaker at the 2026 Coaches for Character CHAMP Awards on Thursday, May 7, helping honor Charleston County students recognized for character, academic effort, community service and overcoming adversity.

The CHAMP Awards recognize "Unsung Heroes" selected from every eighth- and 12th-grade class in Charleston County School District. The annual event celebrates students who lead with integrity, serve others and continue to push forward through personal challenges.

For Conroy, the evening provided an opportunity to speak directly to students whose stories reflect many of the same values he has emphasized throughout his coaching career and within The Citadel basketball program.

"Character is not something you only show when things are going well," Conroy said. "I have seen teams and young people go through difficult stretches, stay together, encourage one another and come out stronger because of it. That is what makes the CHAMP Awards so special. These students have already shown the ability to overcome, lead and impact the people around them."

Hosted by Coaches for Character, the CHAMP Awards have become a signature event for recognizing students whose effort and leadership may not always receive the same attention as athletic or academic accomplishments. The program was founded by longtime basketball coach Greg Blatt, who created Coaches for Character to help young people understand the importance of education, character and positive decision-making. 

"At our 20 Year Anniversary CHAMP Awards Program, we were pleased to have Coach Conroy as our guest speaker," Blatt said. "He did a terrific job honoring our Charleston County School District 2026 CHAMPS, all either eighth or 12th graders, and inspired them to never forget their motto: 'Once a CHAMP, always a CHAMP.'"

Conroy joined a distinguished list of past Coaches for Character speakers that includes Cade Klubnik, LaNorris Sellers, Shane Beamer, A'ja Wilson, Tim Scott, Christian Wilkins, Darien Rencher, Brent Venables, Kirk Herbstreit, Brad Brownell, Dabo Swinney, Deebo Samuel, Rick Barnes, Frank Martin, Dawn Staley, Jay Bilas, Roy Williams, Tom Izzo, Steve Spurrier and several other nationally recognized coaches, athletes and leaders. 

During his remarks, Conroy spoke about the importance of encouragement, belief and the way character can help create opportunities. He shared stories from his time in coaching and reminded the students that success is not only about talent, but also about how they carry themselves through adversity.

"Talent can open doors, but character is what keeps those doors open," Conroy said. "That is something I have believed for a long time as a coach. When young people combine hard work, humility and character, there is no limit to what they can accomplish."

The event brought together students, families, educators, community members and local leaders to celebrate young people who have earned recognition through their actions. For many of the recipients, the honor served as a reminder that their perseverance, service and character have not gone unnoticed.

"To be selected from thousands of students across Charleston County is an incredible honor," Conroy said. "Each one of these students should be proud, not just because they received an award, but because of what the award represents. It represents perseverance, service, academic effort and the kind of character that can impact everyone around them."

The CHAMP Awards continue to recognize students who have overcome obstacles while remaining committed to their classrooms, families and communities. For The Citadel basketball program, Conroy's role as keynote speaker provided another opportunity to remain connected to the Charleston community while supporting a program centered on young people and character development.

"As coaches, we talk a lot about wins and losses, but the real impact comes when you help young people believe in who they can become," Conroy said. "That is what Coaches for Character is doing. It is reminding students that their effort matters, their story matters and their character matters."