The winners of the second annual LG Life’s Good Coaches Award were revealed by LG Electronics USA, an official corporate partner of the NCAA. Student-athletes nominated the winners in recognition of NCAA coaches who promote mental health awareness and supportive team environments.
During halftime of the Duke-Arkansas men’s college basketball game on Thursday, November 27, the 2025 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic featured a segment honoring Luke Strand, head men’s ice hockey coach at Minnesota State University, and Samantha “Sam” Erger, head women’s volleyball coach at Southern Methodist University (SMU). The LG Life’s Good Coaches Award honors NCAA collegiate coaches who promote environments that promote mental health, empower student-athletes via personal development, and assist in dispelling the stigma associated with mental health disorders. This award honors coaches who are essential in creating a secure and supportive environment, as many student-athletes confide in them first.
“At LG, we believe in the profound ability of sports to unite people and inspire hope,” stated Jeannie Lee, director of corporate marketing at LG US. “This is an unprecedented time at the intersection of mental health and sports. The LG Life’s Good Coaches Award embodies this commitment by honoring coaches and organizations that use their platforms not only to compete but also to serve and lead with purpose. This initiative continues to be a cornerstone of our commitment to student-athlete mental health, and we are proud to celebrate coaches who provide student-athletes with supportive spaces that cultivate open dialogue around mental health challenges.”
A panel including the 2024 LG Coaches Award Recipients and representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) evaluated the nominations from NCAA student-athletes. Over 130 nominations from 18 distinct sports in all three NCAA divisions were submitted this year.
“Student-athletes do their best when they are part of a culture that supports their mental health and gives them space to grow as people,” stated Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of NAMI: The National Alliance on Mental Illness. “Coach Strand and Coach Erger model the kind of care and intention that helps young people feel understood and supported, creating teams where trust, compassion, and open conversation are part of everyday life. NAMI appreciates LG for celebrating coaches who help reduce stigma and make mental health a priority for the young people they serve.”
“Coaches play an important role in creating team environments that support student-athlete mental health and promote help-seeking behavior,” stated Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “The NCAA Sport Science Institute is grateful to LG for efforts to recognize and celebrate coaches who are doing the important work of promoting student-athlete mental health and well-being.”
Both coaches will be honored during in-game recognitions at their respective universities:
- The Minnesota State University Mavericks will host a special pregame ceremony honoring Coach Strand during the home game against Ferris State University on Friday, December 5, at 7:07 pm CT.
- SMU Mustangs will honor Coach Erger during the men’s baseball game vs. Virginia Tech Hokies on Jan. 14, 2026.
In addition to the award and recognition for Strand and Erger, LG has pledged to donate cash and products to support their on-campus initiatives at their respective universities.
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