Penn State women’s volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley to receive Jimmy V award

Penn State women’s volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley is the recipient of the 2025 Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, ESPN and the Jimmy V Foundation announced Monday.

Schumacher-Cawley revealed in October that she had breast cancer, but the diagnosis did not stop her from reaching the pinnacle of college sports.

She became the first female head coach to lead a women’s volleyball team to an NCAA Division I title.

“Schumacher-Cawley approached the challenge with strength, determination and an unwavering sense of hope,” an ESPN release said. “…Her journey has been an inspiration, exemplifying the power of perseverance and hope in overcoming personal and professional challenges.”

Penn State went 35-2, adding a Big Ten title on its way to winning the NCAA championship over Louisville. Schumacher-Cawley was named the Big Ten coach of the year.

The Nittany Lions’ were a perfect 20-0 at home for the 2024 season, which included four NCAA Tournament wins en route to the program’s eighth national title.

Schumacher-Cawley played on the Nittany Lions’ first national championship team in 1999, eventually taking over the program as head coach in 2022.

The award, named after former N.C. State basketball coach and ESPN broadcaster Jim Valvano, will be presented at the ESPYS on July 16 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event starts at 8 p.m.

The ESPYS helps raise awareness and funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Past recipients of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, awarded to “a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through physical perseverance and determination,” include Jim Kelly (2018), Rob Mendez (2019), Taquarius Wair (2020), Chris Nikic (2021), Dick Vitale (2022), Liam Hendriks (2023) and Dawn Staley (2024).

In addition, former NBA player Oscar Robertson will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, and Greater Los Angeles first responders and former athletes David Walters and Erin Regan will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service.

“It’s a true privilege to recognize these inspiring individuals — a courageous NBA legend, an NCAA national champion while battling cancer and two elite athletes representing the service of Los Angeles first responders,” said Craig Lazarus, ESPN vice president and The ESPYS executive producer. “Oscar Robertson, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, David Walters and Erin Regan have shown incredible resilience, determination and perseverance in their personal and professional lives. We are thrilled to honor and celebrate them at The 2025 ESPYS.”