BRONX, N.Y. – After leading the Rams to their most successful season in more than three decades, Head Coach Keith Urgo has been named the winner of the Joe B. Hall Award, presented annually to the top first-time coach in Division I.
 
The accolade is presented by CollegeInsider.com and named after Joe B. Hall, a longtime Kentucky assistant who took over for the legendary Adolph Rupp and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals in his first year. 
 
In his debut season as a head coach, Urgo enjoyed success not seen at Rose Hill in more than a generation.  He guided the Rams to an overall record of 25-8, including a 12-6 mark in conference play.  The Rams' 12 wins and .667 winning percentage both set high-water marks for the school's Atlantic 10 tenure, which began in 1995-96.  The Rams tied for second in the final Atlantic 10 standings and reached the semifinals of the A-10 Championship for just the second time in program history.
 
For his efforts, Urgo was named the 2023 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and signed a contract extension that will keep him in the Bronx through the 2027-28 season.  He became just the second Fordham coach to ever win the award, joining Nick Macarchuk in 1999.
 
In addition to the team's on-court success, Urgo played a key role in reshaping the Rams' image on campus and across the city.  Matching his relentless energy, Fordham fans sold out the final six games of the season at the Rose Hill Gym.  Urgo took to calling the Rams' 98-year-old home "Rose Thrill," a moniker that has stuck throughout the campus community.  Fordham won more home games this season (18) than any other team in the nation.
 
Season tickets for the 2023-24 basketball season are being accepted now.  Fans can secure their seat for all the action at the Rose Hill Gym next season with a deposit of just $50.