Legendary NCAA men's basketball coach and
founder of the V Foundation for Cancer Research will be inducted as
part of the 2023 Class during festivities August 11-12
CARY,
N.C., April 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Legendary
NCAA men's basketball coach, ESPN announcer and founder of the V
Foundation for Cancer Research Jim
Valvano, was named to the 2023 Class of the Naismith
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The full Hall of Fame class was
announced during the NCAA Final Four on April 1 in Houston,
Texas. The 2023 class will be officially enshrined during
festivities in Springfield,
Massachusetts, August
11-12.
"We at the V Foundation are thrilled to see
him recognized for his accomplishments." - V Foundation CEO
Shane Jacobson
Valvano graduated from Rutgers
College in 1967 before launching a 19-year men's college
basketball coaching career. He began his career at Johns Hopkins for the 1969-70 season, leading the
Blue Jays to their first winning season (10-9) in 24 years.
Following Johns Hopkins, Valvano held
head coaching positions at Bucknell
(1972-75), Iona (1975-80) and
North Carolina State (1980-90).
Valvano-led teams reached the NCAA Tournament on nine occasions. In
1983, NC State won the NCAA Division I
National Championship, defeating Houston, 54-52, for the program's second national
title. Valvano finished his head coaching career with a record of
346-210. After he retired from coaching, Jim acted as a broadcaster
for ESPN and ABC Sports, as well as a reporter for the World League
of American Football during its first season. Valvano won a Cable
ACE Award in 1992 for being a Commentator/Analyst for NCAA
basketball broadcasts.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, is home to more
than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball
history. Named after the founder of basketball, James Naismith, the organization was founded in
1959 and is dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the
game of basketball at every level. Valvano was nominated through
the Direct-Elect Category: Contributor Nominations.
After being diagnosed with cancer in 1992, Valvano and ESPN
announced the establishment of the V Foundation for Cancer Research
in 1993. Valvano delivered a legendary speech at the 1993 ESPY
Awards, in which he expressed the importance of cancer research.
Jim recognized that investing in cancer research provides better
outcomes for those faced with the disease in the future, and made
cancer research the sole purpose of the V Foundation. He died of
cancer a little more than a month after his speech.
"Throughout his coaching career, Jim embodied the spirit he
spoke of at the ESPYS, 'Don't Give Up . . . Don't Ever Give
Up!'®" V Foundation CEO Shane
Jacobson said. "We at the V Foundation are thrilled to see
him recognized for his accomplishments and spirit of determination
on the court and know that continues to inspire our community in
working to achieve Victory Over Cancer®."
Jim's legacy continues to inspire. The V Foundation funds
promising, innovative research of all cancer types through grants
awarded to the 71 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer
centers in the US and other exceptional research institutions.
Since being founded in 1993, the V Foundation has funded nearly
1,200 cancer research grants totaling over $310 million.
Valvano is the fourth member of the Naismith Hall of Fame with a
connection to NC State. He joins
David Thompson (Class of 1996),
Everett N. Case (Class of 1982) and
Kay Yow (Class of 2002).
"Jim's tenacity and passion as a coach and as an ambassador for
the game of basketball – and game of life – set a standard of
excellence that we at the V Foundation embody to this day,"
Evan Goldberg, Chair of the V
Foundation Board of Directors, said. "It's an honor to carry on his
legacy through our work funding game-changing cancer research."
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN
and the late Jim Valvano, legendary
North Carolina State University
basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded
over $310 million in game-changing
cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process
strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee.
Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative
expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research
and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over
Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.
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SOURCE V Foundation