Army West Point Athletics
Mike Krzyzewski (’69) to be Honored Ahead of Veterans Day Matchup Against Duke
October 28, 2025 | General, Men's Basketball
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Mike Krzyzewski ('69) will make his return to the United States Military Academy and Christl Arena on Tuesday, November 11, where he will be honored as the winningest head coach in NCAA Division I history.
"Coach Krzyzewski's legacy began here at West Point, and his career has embodied everything this institution stands for - leadership, discipline, and a lifelong commitment to excellence," said Tom Theodorakis, Director of Athletics. "We're incredibly proud to welcome him and the family back home to honor not just his historic achievements in basketball, but also the values he continues to represent as a graduate and former coach of the United States Military Academy."
The ceremony will take place prior to Army's Veterans Day matchup against Duke. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first tip, with the game broadcasting live on the CBS Sports Network and the Army Sports Network.
Krzyzewski played on the Black Knights men's basketball team from 1967-69, where he helped lead Army to two National Invitational Tournament (NIT) appearances (1968 and 1969), including serving as team captain on the 1969 team.
He served as Army West Point men's basketball head coach from 1975-80, posting a 73-59 record, including an appearance in the 1978 NIT.
Krzyzewski then became the head coach at Duke University, starting in 1980 through the 2021-22 season, where he led the Blue Devils to five national titles throughout his tenure.
Krzyzewski, who is the all-time winningest head coach in NCAA Division I men's basketball history, earned 1,202 wins throughout his coaching career. From his first career win at Army on Nov. 28, 1975, to his 1,202nd and final over Arkansas in the 2022 West Regional Final on March 26, 2022, Krzyzewski has set the standard for winning in Division I men's basketball.
Krzyzewski was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 and inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. Most recently, he was a member of the 2025 Class of the FIBA Hall of Fame.
The West Point alumnus has several other accomplishments, including six gold medals as head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team, nine National Players of the Year (11 honors), six National Defensive Players of the Year (nine honors), 10 consecutive top-10 AP poll finishes (1997-06) and 12 National Coach of the Year honors (eight seasons).
Krzyzewski has also made 13 Final Four appearances (most in NCAA history) and earned 36 NCAA Tournament bids (most by one coach) throughout his coaching career.
Alongside all of his accomplishments, the United States Military Academy also established the "Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award" in 2005 in his honor.
The honor recognizes West Point athletes and coaches for their outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership. The cadet recipient exemplifies the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage both on-and-off the "fields of friendly strife." This past year, the award was given to the recently retired coach Brian Riley (hockey) and CDT Taylor Brown (softball).
