DES MOINES, IOWA - CHARACTER COUNTS! In Iowa will recognize former Drake men's head basketball coach Tom Davis with the Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award this Friday (April 11) The award will be presented at An All Star Evening to benefit CHARACTER COUNTS! In Iowa, at the Hy-Vee Conference Center, 5820 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.

"Dr. Tom Davis exemplifies the type of person that this award seeks to honor. Throughout his career, Dr. Davis has always exuded fairness, respect and responsibility," said former Gov. Robert Ray. "He has touched the lives of not only the players he so diligently coached, but also their families, communities and, ultimately, the entire state of Iowa. Collegiate basketball has been forever touched by his guiding hand, keen insight and pursuit of excellence."

The evening will also feature a variety of athletes and coaches who will help celebrate Davis' achievements. Attendees will include Drake's Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb, Director of Community Outreach and Development Dolph Pulliam and Men's Head Basketball Coach Keno Davis, son of Tom Davis.

McAninch Corp., Iowa Health System and Wells Fargo are sponsoring the All Star Evening. The event will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by a silent and live auction at 6 p.m., and dinner and the awards program at 7 p.m.

Live and silent auction items include autographed footballs, basketballs, baseballs and jerseys, vacation packages, restaurant gift certificates, electronic equipment, Drake basketball items and event tickets.

Dr. Davis earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and doctorate from the University of Maryland. Dr. Davis was the head coach at Lafayette College, Boston College, Stanford University, the University of Iowa and Drake University.

During a 32-year coaching career, Davis cemented his place among college basketball coaching giants by accumulating 598 victories while enjoying 16, 20-game victory seasons with 11 teams advance to the NCAA Tournament. He was named the Associated Press National Coach of the year in 1987.

While at Iowa, he led the Hawkeyes to nine NCAA Tournaments, including a pair of Sweet Sixteen appearances as well as an Elite Eight. He is the winningest coach in the University of Iowa history.

He was named Drake University's 23rd head basketball coach in 2003. In four short seasons, Dr. Davis energized the Bulldog program and led Drake to a 17-15 record; including winning the Big Four Series, Drake Regency Challenge and Sun Bowl Tournament.

In March 2007, Dr. Davis announced his retirement from college coaching. His son, Keno, took over as head basketball coach at Drake University guiding the team to a school-record 28-5 mark this past season including an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.