UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State women's volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley was honored with the Jimmy V Award at the 2025 ESPYs on Wednesday night. The event was held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and aired live on ABC.
Her fight and refusal to give up inspires us all.@CoachKatiePSU is this year's Jimmy V Award For Perseverance recipient. pic.twitter.com/71bac0jiEo
— ESPN (@espn) July 17, 2025
Schumacher-Cawley received the award for her perseverence this past season while battling breast cancer. She announced the diagnosis publically in October, but didn't let the tough battle filled with appointments and chemotherapy keep her down. Penn State lost just one match following her announcement and went on to win the 2024 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship with wins over Nebraska in the semifinal and Louisville in the championship match. She became the first female to lead a team to an NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball title.
THE FIRST! 🏆@CoachKatiePSU is an icon!#WeAre pic.twitter.com/ImooYarHQg
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) December 23, 2024
Prior to presenting Schumacher-Cawley with the award on stage, ABC aired a special feature that shined a light on the coach's journey through her cancer battle and the season.
Katie Schumacher-Cawley's story inspires us all 🥹 pic.twitter.com/tXz6c3ttgn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 17, 2025
It was time for Schumacher-Cawley to take the stage following the touching video. She was presented the award by Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and then gave a beautiful and memorable speech to the crowd of some of the world's best athletes and celebrities.
Katie Schumacher-Cawley wins the 2025 Jimmy V Perseverance Award ❤️
— ESPN (@espn) July 17, 2025
A powerful story and even more powerful speech 👏 pic.twitter.com/HiV6XMC1pJ
From start to finish. Schumacher-Cawley was surrounded with support during the trip to Los Angeles. The group included her family, the three assistant coaches, and the five graduated players from the championship team.
Our favorite photo of the night 💙🤍
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) July 17, 2025
None of this was possible without the strength and support of Katie’s family. #WeAre | @CoachKatiePSU
📸: Courtesy of ESPN Images pic.twitter.com/7k4hgXK0IX
Ready for the red carpet - @ESPYS #WeAre pic.twitter.com/vKGJD4br7I
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) July 16, 2025
The National Champs are back on the red carpet at the ESPYs! 📸#WeAre | @ESPYS pic.twitter.com/F3ycmhD2O2
— Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) July 16, 2025
Best dressed staff in the country? #WeAre | @ESPYS pic.twitter.com/6qAK54h5Vi
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) July 16, 2025