March 12, 2007

PRESS RELEASE BELOW IS FROM THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH AND ESPN

Link to V Foundation Release.

Comeback Award Finalists Announced Award presented by The V Foundation for Cancer Research and ESPN

Cary, N.C. -- The V Foundation for Cancer Research has announced the finalists for the seventh annual V Foundation Comeback Award. The award is presented in conjunction with ESPN and the recipient will be announced during ESPN's basketball Final Four/NIT weekend coverage.

The finalists are: Warren Carter, University of Illinois; Kaitlyn McCormick, Bethany College; Ashley McMillen, Syracuse University; Lauren Mueller, Converse College; Michael Neal, University of Oklahoma; Ralphanee' Peyton, Wayne State University; Ann-Marie Torp, Metro State College; Whitney Tyriver, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh; and the United States Military Academy Women's Basketball Team.

The annual 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 has been created.

"Once again I am amazed at the strength and resilience of the student-athletes who are nominated for The V Foundation Comeback Award," said V Foundation CEO Nick Valvano. "These young people are outstanding student-athletes who have faced adversity and challenges with incredible determination and strength.

"These finalists truly capture the `Never Give Up' spirit of The V Foundation," Valvano continued. "I would be honored to have my brother's name be remembered with each and every one of them."

The 2007 recipient will be selected by an eight-member sub-committee of The V Foundation Board of Directors. 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), and Western Washington's Grant Dykstra (2006).

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary NC State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993 The Foundation has raised more than $60 million used to fund cancer research grants nationwide. The Foundation awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Review Committee of top doctor/scientists nationwide. The Foundation operates with a small staff, a nationwide volunteer network and an all-volunteer Board of Directors and Scientific Review Committee. The V Foundation takes great pride in its fiscal responsibility and is proud to announce that it gives 100 percent of all new direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Recognized for its prudent fiscal management, The V Foundation has earned a top rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator, for four consecutive ratings. Receiving a top rating from Charity Navigator indicates that The V Foundation has outperformed most of its peers in its efforts to manage and grow its finances. Passion, friendship and commitment. These themes run deep in The V Foundation. We ask you to join us. Call (919)380-9505 or log on to www.jimmyv.org to join the cause.

Warren Carter, Senior, University of Illinois
In a story that has been featured nationally, Warren has excelled both in high school and on the collegiate level. In the face of adversity and life challenges, he has persevered and grown into an exceptional person, student and basketball player. While a sophomore in high school, his mother was sent to prison and his father moved away from Warren and his two brothers. The brothers lived on their own, depending on each other for survival, money, food and shelter. He excelled as a high school player and earned a scholarship to the University of Illinois. He played very little his first three years, but through drive and determination has come into his own and is one of the most improved players in the Big 10. He has started all 30 games this season and leads Illinois in scoring (13.4ppg) and is second in rebounding ,

Kaitlyn McCormick, Sophomore, Bethany College
Despite numerous surgeries, Kaitlyn came out of "sideline" duty and back onto the court when her team came up short on players this season. Following three ankle surgeries in high school and a fourth her freshman year in college, she remained active with the Bethany team behind the scenes and helping the coaches. During holiday break of this year, the squad lost two players and Kaitlyn and her coach determined that she'd try playing. Because of the ankle injury, she is unable to participate in many drills in practice, but keeps up her conditioning several hours after practice in the fitness center and in the training room receiving treatment on her ankle. Following expected inconsistencies one might expect from someone who has not played in more than a year and a half, Kaitlyn is averaging 7.7 ppg in her last seven games, is hitting 54.9 percent from the floor and 45.4 percent from the free-throw line. She started her last eight games and Bethany has earned a berth in the PAC tournament semi-finals for the first time since 2004.

Ashley McMillen, Senior, Syracuse University
Four knee surgeries, overcoming the cancer death of her mother, transferring schools and being diagnosed with painful Crohn's Disease is Ashley's abbreviated story. A torn ACL led to surgery her junior year in high school; another surgery followed her senior year on the same knee. At Monroe CC she helped lead her team to a national championship her freshman year and another knee surgery followed. After a successful sophomore year, she signed with Syracuse following her mother's death after a nine-month battle with breast cancer. Her junior year at SU was hampered with yet another knee injury and surgery. The summer before her junior year she was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease which requires a great deal of medication, has debilitating side effects including abdominal pain, exhaustion and nausea. Her string of bad luck continued with another knee injury during preseason workouts. Still, Ashley never gave up, played in 23 regular season games, averaged 4 ppg and provided leadership on and off the court.

Lauren Mueller, Senior, Converse College
A two-sport (basketball and volleyball) athlete for four years, Lauren tore her ACL in the final game of the 2006 season. She rehabbed all summer and put herself back in position to compete with the rest of her volleyball teammates, leading the 2006 squad to a 21-10 record. She has been the basketball team MVP for three consecutive years going into her senior season. She is the school's all-time leader in rebounds and blocks and averages 11.1 ppg. Although she has been through numerous coaching changes in her career (two volleyball/three basketball) she has maintained her focus both on the court and in the classroom, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and being an active participant in on-campus programs.

Michael Neal, Senior, University of Oklahoma
Michael began his collegiate career at Seminole State College where he developed sinus problems and received medical treatment. While the treatments appeared to clear the sinus problems, he continued having horrible headaches. During a conditioning session, he was sent home because the gym lights were making his head hurt worse and within two days a large bump developed over his eye. He was airlifted to Oklahoma Medical Center for emergency surgery. The seemingly cured sinus infection had spread under his skull into his brain requiring surgery. His mother was told to gather the family as Michael had only a 50-50 chance at survival. The surgery required an incision across his head from ear to ear. Work was done to replace bone that had been destroyed by the infection and his head was closed with staples. A long rehab included relearning to walk and regain other motor skills. He was released from the hospital after two months, returned to school in December and served as a basketball team manager. With a coaching change, his scholarship was revoked the following season and he ended up at Lon Morris Junior College where he worked hard to rehabilitate his basketball skills resulting in earning two-time JUCO All-American honors. Michael was offered a scholarship to OU and was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and earned second team All-Big 12 honors. Going into his senior season, he faced another coaching change (his fourth in five years) but has excelled his senior season as a team captain starting every game and averaging 10 ppg.

Ralphanee Peyton, Senior, Wayne State University
Over her five years at Wayne State, Ralphanee' has dealt with many obstacles. A beloved aunt became terminally ill, she sustained a serious knee injury, and was diagnosed with a learning disability that threatened her athletic and academic careers. Halfway through last season, she sustained what appeared to be a minor knee injury. Following the initial scope, it was diagnosed as serious and possible career ending, requiring a second, more extensive procedure. Due to the surgery, she fell behind in her academic work and during this time, her favorite professor/mentor died. He did not have all of her work recorded and she was devastated, having to face an uphill battle to come back both academically and athletically. She worked extremely hard to regain her eligibility, posting the highest GPA of her career in the fall, cleared to play mid-season starting nine of 11 games and averaging 5.5 ppg.

Ann-Marie Torp, Junior, Metro State College
Following her freshman season at Utah State, she suffered a stroke. During surgery the doctors discovered a hole in her heart. Soon after the catheter procedure, a second hole was discovered and a problem occurred with the device used to plug the hole during the first surgery. She was put on blood thinners and had open heart surgery in May 2005 at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. The following month she suffered a collapsed lung. After a medical redshirt season in 2005-06 she managed to get back on the court for 14 games, wearing a protective vest. Following that season, she transferred to Metro State to be closer to home and returned to the court, working through the physical demands of the game. She started all 30 games this season and averaged 8.3 ppg, helping to lead her team to a 24-6 regular season record.

Whitney Tyriver, Junior, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Whitney has been through many ups and downs in her career. She was diagnosed with a rare cerebral condition called Pseudo Tumor Cerebri--a narrowing of the blood vessels at the base of the skull, causing excruciating headaches and seizures. She was not accurately diagnosed until the spring of her senior year in high school - and prior to that she went through many surgeries for different diagnosed ailments that doctors believed to be the cause of her discomfort. Despite being bedridden for a month of basketball season and losing 20 pounds, she was able to comeback and lead her team to the state championship. She now competes in both basketball and softball on the collegiate levels receiving all-conference honors in both. In basketball she started all 24 games and led the team in scoring and assists.

Women's Basketball Team, United States Military Academy
Just 17 days after the completion a Cinderella season which featured Army's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament, the Black Knights suffered a devastating loss when 28-year-old Head Coach Maggie Dixon collapsed and died. The team faced an emotional challenge not only to follow in Coach Dixon's footsteps, but to keep her memory alive and still move forward. The team, under Coach Dave Magarity engaged in opportunities to keep Coach Dixon's legacy going and memory strong. Returning 14 letter winners who played under Coach Dixon, the team compiled a 24-6 season record eventually losing in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League quarterfinals, compiling a new record for wins by the team at the Division I level.

Contact information for individual nominees below.

For additional information on individual finalists contact:

Warren Carter, University of Illinois: Derrick Burson (217-333-0933) burson@uiuc.edu
Kaitlyn McCormick, Bethany College: Brian Rose (304-829-7292) brose@bethanywv.edu
Ashley McMillen, Syracuse University: Josh Waldman (315-443-2608) jmwaldma@syr.edu
Lauren Mueller, Converse College: Brian Diaz (864-577-2062) sid@converse.edu
Michael Neal, University of Oklahoma: Debbie Copp (405-325-8367) dcopp@ou.edu
Ralphanee' Peyton, Wayne State University: Jeff Weiss (313-577-7542) jeff.weiss@wayne.edu
Anne-Marie Torp, Metro State College: Michelle Zents (303-556-3431) mzents@mscd.edu
Whitney Tyriver, UW Oshkosh: Kennan Timm (920-424-0365) timmk@uwosh.edu
Women's Basketball Team, United States Military Academy: Danah Allen (845-938-6929) danah.allen@usma.edu

Program Media Contacts:
The V Foundation for Cancer Research: Melanie McCullough (919-380-9505) mmccullough@jimmyv.org
ESPN: Josh Krulewitz (860-766-2319) josh.krulewitz@espn.com

2007 V Foundation Comeback Award Finalists

Program Coordinator: Joyce Aschenbrenner, Vice President Special Projects, The V Foundation for Cancer Research
(919-380-9505) jaschenbrenner@jimmyv.org