The 1983 National Champions, the North Carolina State Wolfpack. were one of the great Cinderella stories in college basketball
history. They were also coached by one of the greatest leaders of all time, Jim
Valvano.
Jimmy V, as he was known, was a great basketball coach. He
won a lot of games, including that 1983 championship. One of the greatest
scenes from that title game was Jimmy running around after the game looking for
people to hug. That 1983 team was led by Jimmy's "never give up"
attitude. Without that attitude, NC State could never have slayed giants like
Ralph Sampson, one of the best college players of all time and Virginia. They
could not have beaten Phi Slamma Jamma and Houston, who were led by Hall of
Famers Clyde Drexler and Akeem (later Hakeem) Olajuwon. Jimmy V really was an
outstanding motivator and coach. But his success as a coach is not where his
story ends.
Jimmy retired from coaching and went into broadcasting. He
also did quite a bit of motivational speaking. His "never give up"
attitude and stories from the 1983 run made from great speeches. In 1992, Jimmy
V was diagnosed with bone cancer and that is where his story really begins. His
"never give up" attitude was tested with cancer, but Jimmy refused to
quit. But this was one opponent that Jimmy could not beat with his will. On
April 28, 1993 Jimmy lost his battle.
During his battle with cancer, Jimmy became an inspiration
to many. He fought through the pain, even though there were times he could not
walk. Jimmy's most famous moment (even more famous than his 1983 championship)
came just two months before he died at the 1993 ESPY Awards presented by ESPN.
It was here that Jimmy was honoured with the Author Ashe Award for Courage for
his courageous battle with cancer. It was a shock to many that Jimmy actually
made it to the ceremony because he was so ill, but after being helped up on
stage, his inspirational spirit, lovable personality and motivational words
started something special. That night Jimmy announced that he was starting TheJimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research, which since its forming has raised more
than $100 million for cancer research. The motto of the foundation is
appropriately "Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up." He said that this
research may not save his life, but it may save his children s lives. As
always, Jimmy was more concerned about others than himself.
Jimmy was a leader who made a tremendous difference in this
world. He led with passion, charisma, and humour. He made everyone around him
better. Jimmy said that every day you should laugh, cry and think. "If you
laugh, you think and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do
that seven days a week, you're going to have something special."
Jimmy's life and death continue to inspire others to this
day. Even in a documentary about his 1983 championship team, his personal fight
stole the show. If you have never seen Jimmy's ESPY speech, we encourage you to
watch it today. Remember that no matter what happens in your life, "Don't
Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up!"
