Barbershopman
TMF Master
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2006
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On this day 30 years ago in New York City, Jim Valvano, stepped up to the microphone after being awarded the Authur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award. He delivered a speech so empassioned and eloquent that it is celebrated as a masterpiece 30 years later.
Jim Valvano led the North Carolina Wolfpack past the Hakeem Olajuwon led Houston Cougars in the finals of the 1983 NCAA College Basketball Tournament. No body gave the Wolfpack a chance against the Cougars which also included NBA hall of famer Clyde Drexler. But against all odds, North Carolina State beat the heavily favored Cougars on a putback by Lorenzo Charles of a Derek Whittenberg desperation 30 foot heave with time running out for a 52-50 victory. The indelible image of Valvano running around on the court looking for someone to hug is as classic as his ESPY speech.
At the awards show, he was so weak, he had to be helped up to the stage by Mike Krzyzewski and Dike Vitale. But as Krzyzewski stated later that "once he was on, he was on", he delivered the "Don't give up, don't ever give up" speech - https://youtu.be/HuoVM9nm42E.
He vowed to keep fighting as long as he was able. Less than two months after delivering the speech, Valvano died on April 28, 1993 at the age of 47.
Another good watch if you have more time is the ESPN 30 for 30 story of the Wolfpack's run to the title called "Survive and Advance". It culminates with his ESPY speech.
Each time I view the speech, I fight back tears, even thirty years later. Do yourself a favor and watch the speech. If you don't at least have a lump in your throat after watching, I don't know what will move you.
Barbershopman
Jim Valvano led the North Carolina Wolfpack past the Hakeem Olajuwon led Houston Cougars in the finals of the 1983 NCAA College Basketball Tournament. No body gave the Wolfpack a chance against the Cougars which also included NBA hall of famer Clyde Drexler. But against all odds, North Carolina State beat the heavily favored Cougars on a putback by Lorenzo Charles of a Derek Whittenberg desperation 30 foot heave with time running out for a 52-50 victory. The indelible image of Valvano running around on the court looking for someone to hug is as classic as his ESPY speech.
At the awards show, he was so weak, he had to be helped up to the stage by Mike Krzyzewski and Dike Vitale. But as Krzyzewski stated later that "once he was on, he was on", he delivered the "Don't give up, don't ever give up" speech - https://youtu.be/HuoVM9nm42E.
He vowed to keep fighting as long as he was able. Less than two months after delivering the speech, Valvano died on April 28, 1993 at the age of 47.
Another good watch if you have more time is the ESPN 30 for 30 story of the Wolfpack's run to the title called "Survive and Advance". It culminates with his ESPY speech.
Each time I view the speech, I fight back tears, even thirty years later. Do yourself a favor and watch the speech. If you don't at least have a lump in your throat after watching, I don't know what will move you.
Barbershopman
