Katie Schumacher-Cawley to be honored at 2025 ESPYS

Just as Penn State volleyball begins to gear up to defend its most recent national title, Nittany Lions head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley will be recognized for her tenacity and endurance at the end of last season.

On Monday, ESPN announced its honorees for the upcoming ESPYS award show. The network revealed that Schumacher-Cawley will receive the 2025 Jimmy V Award for Perseverance after leading the Nittany Lions to the program’s eighth national championship during her battle with breast cancer.

“Diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in September 2024, she continued to coach her team without missing a single practice,” ESPN said in a statement. “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.”

Named after the late NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance recognizes individuals in the sports world who exemplify hope while overcoming personal or professional challenges. Past recipients include Jim Kelly, Dick Vitale, and Dawn Staley. The 2025 ESPYS will air live from Los Angeles on July 16 at 8 p.m.

The Nittany Lions went 35-2 in 2024, making Schumacher-Cawley the first female head coach to win an NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. She was announced as cancer-free in February, the same month the third-year coach signed a contract extension keeping her in Happy Valley through 2030.

Penn State volleyball returns to action on August 23 with a matchup against Creighton at the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Lincoln, Nebraska. The reigning national champions return to Rec Hall on September 5 against Kentucky.

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