Oct. 27, 2011
By Jackson Thibodeau, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State "family", known for its tradition, honor and spirit, extends far beyond the confines of Beaver Stadium and Rec Hall. The same electricity that helps the defense come up with a big stop on third down also finds its way into hospital and recovery rooms, providing strength to those who really need it.
For Fritz Spence, assistant coach of jumps and multi-events for the Nittany Lion track and field team, that energy and positivity helped him in his battle with acute myelogenous leukemia.
"Penn State has been great to me and my family," said Spence. "During treatment, after my vacation time was used up, other coaches would give me some of their own vacation time. Even Athletic Director Tim Curley came out to visit me in the hospital. Things like that just really meant a lot."
Spence was diagnosed with leukemia in February of 2008 and was forced to spend months away from the team as he underwent chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and a difficult recovery.
Now, celebrating three years in remission, Coach Spence uses what he learned from his fight with cancer to help student-athletes around the track and in all aspects of life.
"I try to tell my athletes that some days they will feel down and some days they may not be at their best, but they have to believe in themselves and trust themselves in order to succeed," said Spence. "Going through cancer and chemo was a constant fight every single day, but staying positive and believing in myself helped me throughout the way."
Pre and post-treatment, Spence has proven to be a talented and successful coach for the Nittany Lions. In his brief five years in Happy Valley, he has coached 11 All-American efforts in jumping and multi events and earned three USTFCCCA (United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) Assistant Coach of the Year awards.
While Spence teaches his student-athletes about life and track and field each day, he is also gaining a lot back in return.
"My athletes help me out everyday," said Spence. "During my treatment I would go to as many events and practice as possible, because being with them and being in my environment helped me through my recovery."
Earlier this month, his student-athletes joined with him once again to help many others in need by way of a blood drive. This year marked the second consecutive year that the cross country and track teams joined together to host the drive in honor of Coach Spence's battle with leukemia. The day was a success, collecting 44 units of blood, bettering the previous year's total of 38.
"We host the drive to help teach our athletes about giving back," said Spence. "Not only are we looking to develop them as great athletes, but as people too so that when they graduate and move on from Penn State they can continue to be outstanding individuals."
Although his struggle with cancer is still on his mind, there's no hiding the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming indoor and outdoor track seasons.
"Our goal for the upcoming season is to be competitive in the Big Ten once again," said Spence. "We have a great team and an excellent coaching staff that certainly helps us year in and year out."
The Penn State women finished second in the Big Ten in outdoor track and field last year while the men earned a sixth place effort.
For Fritz Spence and the entire Penn State family, there is nothing more valuable than life, and positive energy can help lives in more ways than one.