2019 Honorees

​2019 Hall of Fame Inductee

Kathy Behrens

As President, Social Responsibility & Player Programs for the National Basketball Association, Kathy Behrens oversees all NBA programs that coordinate league and player social responsibility efforts, promote youth basketball development, support player growth and education, and enhance the marketing opportunities for current and former players.
 
Behrens joined the NBA in September 2000 as Vice President, Community Relations, overseeing all of the NBA’s public service initiatives, community outreach and employee volunteer programs. She later worked as Senior Vice President of Community & Player Programs, and Executive Vice President of Social Responsibility & Player Programs.​
Prior to joining the NBA, Behrens served as Executive Director of New York Cares, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes volunteers to help New York City’s neediest residents. Before joining New York Cares in 1995, Behrens served in the administration of former New York Governor Mario M. Cuomo, and was the Executive Director of the Friends of Cuomo Campaign Committee during the 1994 governor’s race.
 
Behrens serves on the Board of Directors for New York Cares and the Ad Council. She is also a trustee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
 
A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Behrens graduated from the University of Hartford and serves as a member of the university’s Board of Regents. She currently lives with her husband and twins Matthew and Maureen in Westchester County, N.Y.
The 2019 National STUDENT-Athlete Day Giant Steps Award Winners
                    Madeline "Maddy" Banic, Courageous Student-Athlete
                                     Chris Norton, A Hero Among Us
                             Kyle Richard, Courageous Student Athlete
                                             Robert Mendez, Coach