The University of Scranton will present the 2026 Peter A. Carlesimo Award to Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. H'98 at the annual Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Award Dinner on Monday, June 15 at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J.

Quandel Construction Group is the title sponsor for the event, which supports and enhances the student-athlete experience at Scranton.

Since 2011, the Carlesimo Award, named for the late University of Scranton head coach and director of athletics, has been presented to someone who has made special contributions to athletics and Catholic education.

Fr. McIlhenny arrived in Scranton in 1958 to serve as the fourth headmaster of Scranton Preparatory School, which at the time was owned by The University of Scranton. While at Prep, he oversaw the school's relocation to its present site. Fr. McIlhenny was later appointed Dean of Admissions at the University in 1966. Known to many as "Father Mac," his tenure as dean of admissions spanned 31 years during which time he is credited with admitting more than two-thirds of the University's living alumni. He remains Dean of Admissions Emeritus to this day.

In 1966, the University was all male and mainly comprised of commuting students with a small number of residential students. In his approach to promoting the University to prospective students, Father Mac highlighted the close community and family atmosphere where students could get personal attention and make friends for life, a fact the University takes pride in still to this day. 

Fr. McIlhenny's work expanded the University's reach regionally and paved the way for Scranton to attract students from around the nation today. That influence opened the door to allow the University's athletics programs to draw student-athletes from recruiting hotbeds outside the greater Scranton area, a key factor in helping Scranton become one of the top NCAA Division III schools in the country. During the 2025-26 academic year alone, Scranton's athletics teams boasted student-athletes from 14 different states and the Dominican Republic.

He retired from admissions in 1997 and continues to serve the University as minister of the Scranton Jesuit Community. He remains a loyal fan of Scranton Athletics and is still a regular at basketball games in the Long Center.