March 28, 2007
CARY, N.C. - The Army women's basketball team was named the recipient of the seventh annual V Foundation Comeback Award, presented annually by the V Foundation for Cancer Research in collaboration with ESPN. ESPN will make the official announcement Tuesday evening between the semifinal games of the men's National Invitational Tournament.
The annual award is open to men and women collegiate basketball student-athletes in all NCAA divisions. It is awarded to an individual or a team who has accomplished a personal triumph in the face of true adversity, be it in health, life or moral dilemma.
Just 17 days after Army's Cinderella run to its first Division I NCAA Tournament appearance, the Army women's basketball team suffered a devastating loss when 28-year-old head coach Maggie Dixon died suddenly last April. The 2006-07 squad faced a daunting emotional challenge not only to follow in Dixon's footsteps, but to keep her memory alive while still moving forward.
Army head coach Dave Magarity, who served as the associate head coach to Dixon on the 2005-06 Army team, took over the reins of the program this past season and led the Black Knights to a 24-6 season record, setting a school record for wins at the Division I level.
"I am truly honored that our team was chosen as the 2007 recipient of the V Foundation Comeback Award," said Magarity. "I am so proud of how our team handled the tragic passing of Maggie with such class, grace and dignity. They honored Maggie's memory by playing outstanding basketball throughout the season. It was truly an honor to coach such a fine group of women.
"I had the privilege of coaching against Jim Valvano, and I considered him a friend," said Magarity. "To be associated with winning this award means a great deal to me on a personal level as well."
In addition to setting the school record for Division I wins, Army also established the longest win streak in program history, reeling off 12 consecutive victories from Nov. 30 to Jan. 16. Additionally, Army tallied a school-record seven-game road winning streak, en route to securing an Academy-record 11 road victories.
"It is an honor for Army athletics to be associated with Jim Valvano and the V Foundation Comeback Award," said Army Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson. "Our women's basketball team showed a great deal of strength and resiliency battling through the adversity thrown at them following Maggie's tragic and untimely death. I am proud of the way these young women responded positively to this terrible tragedy and competed in the manner in which Maggie would have expected. They are worthy recipients of this prestigious honor because they `never gave up.'"
The Black Knights led the Patriot League in seven statistical categories in 2006-07, including scoring average, scoring defense, scoring margin, field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage, rebounding and rebounding margin.
Army was paced this season by junior guard Cara Enright, who was a first team All-Patriot League selection. The Norco, Calif., native led the club and listed second in the conference in scoring, averaging 14.9 ppg. Enright became the 13th player in Army history to register 1,000 career points. Enright will enter her senior campaign ranked fourth on the Black Knights' all-time scoring list with 1,329 career points.
"Although I never met Maggie, after speaking with her brother Jamie and Dave Magarity, it seems she and Jim shared many characteristics that just drew people to them," V Foundation CEO Nick Valvano said. "What the Army team has done in her memory is an amazing tribute. It is a lasting tribute to their respect and regard for Maggie. The team displayed incredible perseverance and spirit, and it is with great admiration that we honor them with the Comeback Award."
Valvano will present Magarity and the Army women with the Comeback Award trophy on April 25 at the Spirit of Jimmy V New York Gala. For tickets or more information about this event, which will honor cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, call 1-800-4JimmyV or e-mail Joyce Aschenbrenner at jaschenbrenner@jimmyv.org.
The V Foundation Comeback Award is presented in memory of Jim Valvano, the late basketball coach and ESPN commentator, whose personal battle with cancer inspired the creation of The V Foundation. In his memorable speech at ESPN's inaugural ESPY Awards announcing the creation of The V Foundation, Valvano's "Don't Give Up. . .Don't Ever Give Up!"® motto created a legacy from which the Comeback Award has been created.
The Army women's basketball squad is the first team to be honored with the award in its seven-year existence.
The Black Knights join past recipients of the V Foundation Comeback Award in Purdue's Katie Douglas (2001), Western Michigan's Kristin Koetsier (2002), Arizona State's Justin Allen (2003), Texas' Jamie Carey (2004), Washington's Kayla Burt (2005), and Western Washington's Grant Dykstra (2006).