TheAtlantic Coast Conference Athlete of the Year award is given to themale andfemaleathlete who show extraordinary talent throughout the entire season. The award is decided by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.
The Anthony J. McKevlin Award, which originally went to the league'sathlete of the year regardless of gender until 1990, named in honor of a former sports editor of theRaleigh News and Observer,[1] has been voted upon and handed out annually since the ACC was formed in 1953–1954.
In 1990, The Mary Garber Award, named in honor ofMary Garber, a formerWinston-Salem Journal reporter and a pioneer for women in the field ofsports journalism, was established to honor the league's top female athlete.[1] In 2005, theAssociated Press Sports Editors (APSE) distinguished Garber by honoring her with its prestigiousRed Smith Award, making her the first female recipient in the award's 25-year history.
