Katie Schumacher-Cawley delivers powerful speech at 'ESPYS'

At the 2025 ESPYS, Penn State women's volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley was honored as The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance recipient after battling with stage 2 breast cancer while coaching the Nittany Lions to Big Ten and NCAA championship titles. She became the first female coach to win a women's volleyball national title along the way as well.

Upon receiving the award, she Schumacher-Cawley was met with a standing ovation.

"Let's give it up for the Penn State girls in the back there," Schumacher-Cawley said when first taking the stage to accept the award on Wednesday. ". . . I'm beyond humbled and truly grateful for this moment. This past year has been one I could have never imagined. It's been filled with challenges, with grit, with tears, but also with perspective, purpose, and unbelievable love. Cancer changed my life, but it didn't take it. It didn't take my belief, it didn't take my spirit, and it didn't take my team."

"You've been my rock, my strength, you gave me mine. You showed up in every moment, even the hard ones, with love, humor, and unwavering support," she said of her family. "Thanks to my doctors at UPenn and Mount Nittany Medical. A person does not fight cancer alone . . . The medical professionals who help so many of us are such heroes.

"Thanks to everyone at Penn State, especially my staff. They made this whole season possible . . . thank you to my team and former players. You inspired me every day to keep fighting. You reminded what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. That jersey we wear means everything and the bond we share is unbreakable. Sports are amazing and these women and the women that came before have set the stage to where we are now.

"Lastly, I'd like to thank coach [Jim] Valvano and the [V] Foundation. To be a part of this mission that says don't every give up is a privilege. This is bigger than me and bigger than this stage. Because this is about hope, it's about every person sitting in a chemo chair right now wondering if they can keep going . . . I will keep fighting for you. I share this with every who's ever faced this disease: [with] the survivors, with those still fighting, and with the ones that we've lost. Especially my dad, this is for you. Keep showing up, keep believing, and please never ever give up. Thank you so much."

Schumacher-Cawley was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer on Oct. 17, but did not miss one practice or game throughout the 2024 season. On Feb. 10, she rang the bell to celebrate being officially cancer free.