The University of South Florida community gathered at the Yuengling Center on Feb. 6 to honor the late Amir Abdur-Rahim’s legacy.
Coach Abdur-Rahim was named the honorary 2024-2025 AAC men’s basketball coach of the year during USF’s game against Temple University.
The award was given to coach Abdur-Rahim’s family at the event.
American Athletic Conference’s Commissioner Tim Pernetti said Abdur-Rahim’s impact on the league is “permanent.”
“He was not in the conference for a long time, but the more people I’ve spoken to and the more I’ve understood what his impact has been,” Pernetti said. “It was deep and permanent.”
The conference will name a postseason honor after Abdur-Rahim.
The Amir Abdur-Rahim Sportsmanship Award will be presented annually to a men’s basketball student athlete.
Additionally, the AAC will donate $15,000 to the Future Foundation, a nonprofit close to Abdur-Rahim and his family.
Pernetti described the renaming of the Sportsmanship Award as a “perfect marriage” when it comes to Abdur-Rahim.
“When we look at the words that describe who will qualify for this type of thing, you hear things like, kindness, passion, integrity,” Pernetti said. “These are a lot of the words that I think people would describe coach Amir to be.”
Around 3,700 people were present at the game, some of whom were the same fans who constantly honor coach Abdur-Rahim at the “Amir Abdur-Rahim” student section.
USF beat Temple University with a score of 64-57.
Pernetti said the American Athletic Conference wanted to ensure Abdur-Rahim’s family was “ok” receiving the award and with the Sportsmanship Award renaming on his honor.
“I don’t think this, this situation, could be any harder on anyone other than his family,” Pernetti said. “He’s had a short-term permanent impact on the American [American Athletic Conference], and he deserves to be honored in this way forever.”
Credits:
Reporter- Luana Schneider Martins
Web Editor- Clara Rokita Garcia