Colorado University Athletics
Lappe A V Foundation Comeback Finalist
March 12, 2003
Cary, N.C. - The V Foundation for Cancer Research announced Wednesday that senior women's basketball player Linda Lappe is one of 10 finalists for the third annual V Foundation Comeback Award. The award is given in conjunction with ESPN and will be announced during ESPN's basketball Final Four weekend coverage.
The finalists are: Justin Allen, Arizona State University; Bryan Anderson, Malloy College; Kassidi Bishop, University of Louisville; Sherri Brown, St. John's University; Tiffanie Hager, Kent State University; Mike King, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; Linda Lappe, University of Colorado; Tomas Ress, Texas A&M University; Beth Roederer, Miami University (OH); and Derrick Tarver, The University of Akron.
"Once again we are so impressed and heartened by the incredible strength and resilience of these young people," said Foundation CEO Nick Valvano. "This award is very special to us not only because it honors an outstanding young student-athlete who has faced adversity, but also because that young person truly captured the spirit of what embodies our Foundation - the Never Give Up attitude which symbolized their comebacks."
The award is given annually to a collegiate level basketball student-athlete, male or female, who has accomplished a personal triumph in the face of true adversity, be it in health, life, or moral dilemma.
Past recipients of the award are Purdue's Katie Douglas (currently playing with the Connecticut WNBA team) and Western Michigan junior Kristin Koetsier.
"The ten 2003 finalists again represent the finest in collegiate student-athletes, on the court, in the classroom and in life," Nick Valvano concluded. "My brother would be honored to be remembered with all of them."
Lappe has overcome four major surgeries to her left leg and has come back to lead the Buffaloes for her senior year. In her sophomore year, she sustained a "career-ending" injury, which snapped her kneecap in half. Four major surgeries and 12 months of rehabilitation followed, but as she returned to her squad, she was diagnosed with OCD (osteochondritis dissecans), a degenerative bone condition in her left ankle, with a lesion more than three times the size that is typical. More surgery and rehabilitation followed and against all odds, Lappe has rejoined her team while maintaining a 3.62 GPA in business.
The award is presented in memory of Jim Valvano, late basketball coach and ESPN announcer, 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 has been created.