DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU Lettermen's Association's Board of Directors and its Silver Anniversary Mustang (SAM) Award Committee will honor Therese Hession as the recipient of the 2022 SAM Award. Hession helped lead the Mustangs to the AIAW Women's Golf National Championship in 1979, earning First-Team All-America honors.  

Following her SMU career, Hession earned her LPGA Tour Card in 1980. She competed for 11 seasons on the LPGA TOUR, making over 250 event appearances, and was a Top-150 Career Money Earner at the conclusion of her career. She was the head coach at Ohio State from 1992-2021. The two-time NCAA Coach of the Year and six-time Big Ten Coach of the Year led the Buckeyes to 11 Big Ten Championships and 17 NCAA Championship appearances. A former president of the Women's Golf Coaches Association, Hession is a member of the Women's Golf Coaches Association Coaches Hall of Fame, Indiana Golf Hall of Fame and Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Throughout her LPGA and coaching career, Hession has been committed to serving her community and the sport of golf. She was recognized with the LPGA's prestigious Samaritan Award in 1989 for her service to Appalachia Habitat for Humanity. Hession has also served with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Golf Fore Africa, Folds of Honor, First Tee Clinics, Get a Girl Golfing Clinics, 2^nd & 7 Reading Program and Gigi's Animal Shelter.
Each year, the SMU Lettermen's Association Board of Directors awards the SAM Award to a former letterwinner at least 25 years removed from their time on campus. The recipient has brought honor to SMU, made contributions that have lasting and positive effects on his or her fellow citizens, and has been a model citizen in his or her community.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday, February 8, at halftime of the SMU men's basketball game against Temple. Tip is 7 p.m. at Moody Coliseum. Tickets are available at SMUMustangs.com/Tickets.