JMU'S EVANS RECEIVES V FOUNDATION COMEBACK AWARD
CARY, N.C., March 29, 2011 - The V Foundation for
Cancer Research, one of the nation's leading cancer research fundraising
organizations, announced today that James Madison University basketball senior
guard Dawn Evans (Clarksville, Tenn./Northeast) has been named the
recipient of the 11th annual V Foundation Comeback Award. This
award is given annually by The V Foundation for Cancer Research in
collaboration with ESPN. The award will be announced tonight
during ESPN's basketball coverage (approximately 9 p.m. on ESPN2) and presented
to Evans on the James Madison campus at a later date.
Evans, one of the leading scorers in the NCAA the last three seasons and who
has virtually re-written the JMU record books with more than 40 school records,
was diagnosed in December 2009 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS),
a disease that attacks the kidneys‟ filtering system. Since
her diagnosis, she has missed only three of 60 games due to FSGS symptoms. Her
grace, grit and determination in continuing to play Division I basketball while
dealing with the effects of FSGS have earned her the respect of her teammates,
coaches and team medical personnel, who see her facing challenges on a daily
basis.
To help raise public awareness for FSGS, Evans accepted an invitation by The
NephCure Foundation to serve as an ambassador for that organization, which
raises funds to support research seeking a cause and cure for FSGS and
Nephrotic syndrome. In this role, Evans meets with families who have someone
suffering from FSGS and responds to telephone calls, emails and other
communications from people suffering from kidney disease.
Evans' honors in 2010 included watch lists for three national player of the
year awards (Naismith Trophy, Wade Trophy and Wooden Award), AP All-America
honorable mention, WBCA State Farm All-America Team finalist, WBCA State Farm
All-Region 2, CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and runner-up for CAA
Player of the Year. She also received the CAA's Randolph Inspiration
Award and was a finalist for the Honda Inspiration Award. This season's
honors include Lowe's Senior CLASS Award finalist, Lieberman Award finalist,
Naismith, Wade and Wood watch lists and CAA Player of the Year.
"Dawn Evans exemplifies the 'don‟t give up' spirit that is the cornerstone of The V
Foundation," said The V Foundation CEO,
Nick Valvano.
"We are proud to welcome Dawn as the recipient of the 2011 V Foundation
Comeback Award. She will join an inspirational group of young people who have
received this award before her."
The V Foundation Comeback Award is open to men and women collegiate basketball
student-athletes in all NCAA divisions. It is awarded to an individual or a
team who has accomplished a personal triumph in the face of true adversity, be
it in health, life or moral dilemma. The award is presented in memory of
Jim
Valvano, the late basketball coach and ESPN commentator, whose personal
battle with cancer inspired the creation of The V Foundation. In his
memorable speech at ESPN‟s inaugural ESPY Awards announcing the creation of The
V Foundation, Valvano‟s
"Don't Give Up . . . Don't Ever Give
Up!"® motto created a legacy from which the Comeback Award is based.
"This past year has been the most difficult time of my life, and with my
support system I've been able to overcome most of it," said Evans.
"This award is dedicated to those who have been able to continue after
facing adversity, and I graciously thank the people who have been in my corner
to help me to deal with it all."
"I am extremely proud of Dawn for this accomplishment," said JMU Head
Coach
Kenny Brooks. "The V Foundation Comeback Award is a
prestigious honor and I believe that Dawn exemplifies what it stands for.
Faced with adversity, Dawn showed courage as she took on responsibility to
inspire others through her trials and tribulations. In her time of despair,
when she needed her team the most, it was Dawn who inspired her teammates and
coaches with her courage, determination and grace. In my opinion, there
is no one more deserving of this honor than Dawn Raven Evans."
Past recipients of the award are Purdue‟s Katie Douglas (2001), Western Michigan‟s Kristin
Koetsier (2002), Arizona State‟s Justin Allen (2003), Texas‟ Jamie
Carey (2004), Washington‟s Kayla Burt (2005), Western Washington‟s Grant
Dykstra (2006), the United States Military Academy Women's Basketball
Team (2007),
Drexel‟s Nicole Hester (2008), Farmingdale State‟s Tiffara
Steward (2009) and Youngstown State‟s Dallas Blocker (2010).
Evans was selected from a group of 11 finalists who were nominated by their
athletic department and was chosen by a committee of The V Foundation Board of
Directors. The 2011 finalists were: Jessica Breland,
North
Carolina; Jacki Gemelos,
USC; Angel Goodrich,
Kansas;
Levi Knutson,
Colorado; Andrea "Drey" Mingo,
Purdue;
Cory Pflieger,
Rice; Thomas Robinson,
Kansas; Kim
Rodgers,
Maryland; Krystal Thomas,
Duke; and Whitney
Hand,
Oklahoma.
For additional information about The V Foundation Comeback Award, visit
www.jimmyv.org.
About The V Foundation
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late
Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN
commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $100 million to
fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct
cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and
related programs. Administrative and fundraising expenses are paid by the
Foundation's endowment. The Foundation awards grants through a competitive
awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more
information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit
www.jimmyv.org
ESPN, Inc.
ESPN, Inc., is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports
entertainment company featuring a portfolio of more than 50 multimedia sports
assets. The company is comprised of seven 24-hour domestic television networks
(ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes and ESPN 3D). ESPN,
ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPNEWS HD are simulcast services. Other businesses include
ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (46 networks, syndication, radio,
websites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN3.com (broadband sports network) ESPN
Mobile,
ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN PPV and other growing
new businesses, including ESPN on Demand and ESPN Interactive. Based in
Bristol, Conn., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect
subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20
percent interest in ESPN