Penn State women's volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley will be honored at the ESPYS on July 16 with The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. While bringing the Nittany Lions to an NCAA championship title, Schumacher-Cawley was simultaneously undergoing breast cancer treatment.
On her way to the program's eighth national championship, she and her Nittany Lions managed to bounce back from a 0-2 start against Nebraska in the semifinals. Penn State forced the Cornhuskers into a fifth set and ultimately came out on top. After beating Louisville, Schumacher-Cawley became the first female coach to win a women's volleyball championship title.
Throughout the season, all the way back on Oct. 17, she announced that she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Despite this news, Schumacher-Cawley emphasized how dedicated she was to the Nittany Lions and that she wouldn't let that change. In her Instagram post, she wrote:
"I’m approaching this with strength, determination, and an unwavering sense of hope. We will draw inspiration from the many people in our lives that have battled cancer and have emerged victorious . I am incredibly fortunate to have an amazing support system in my family, team, friends, my Penn State family, and an incredible medical team. Their encouragement and love give me the courage to face the road ahead with a positive outlook . . . We want the focus of the next several weeks and months to be on the team, their season and the incredible things they do as inspiring women in the classroom and on the court."
Schumacher-Cawley was an inspiration to all those around her, having never missed one practice or match while simultaneously undergoing chemotherapy for a majority of the regular season and the entire postseason. On Feb. 10, she rang the bell to symbolize that she was officially cancer free.
Now Schumacher-Cawley will be honored with The Jimmy V Award at the ESPYS. The award is given to a member of the sports world that's overcome great obstacles, according to the V Foundation, in honor of men's basketball coach Jim Valvano who passed in 1993.
"I'm speechless," Schumacher-Cawley said in a video. ". . . What an honor it is to be a part of this organization and to be a part of that is just really special. Thank you."
She partnered with the V Foundation in 2025 in hopes of giving back to cancer and medicine research any way possible. Schumacher-Cawley said, according to the foundation, that she hopes things continue to advance to help others' cancer journeys after her become easier.
In announcing Schumacher-Cawley as the recipient of The Jimmy V Award, ESPN said:
"Schumacher-Cawley approached the challenge with 'strength, determination, and an unwavering sense of hope' and throughout her treatment, Schumacher-Cawley maintained her commitment to the team, inspiring both players and fans. Her perseverance was a source of motivation for the Nittany Lions, who rallied behind their coach during this challenging time. Her journey has been an inspiration, exemplifying the power of perseverance and hope in overcoming personal and professional challenges."
The 2025 ESPYS will take place in The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and will start at 8 p.m. EST on July 16.