Spring Break
Hester's inspiration garners award
Khoa Cao
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Two seasons ago, Drexel University women's basketball player Nicole Hester was just entering her sophomore year.
As it turns out, she would emerge that season as one of the best players on the team, nearly doubling her averages in scoring and rebounding from her freshman year. Hester also led the Dragons in blocks with 18, and was second with 35 steals.
Then, right before the start of Drexel's 2006-07 season, Hester was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, causing her to redshirt the season while she underwent various treatments, which included radiation and chemotherapy to fight the cancer.
Now, almost one year later, the Waldorf, Md. native is ready to return to the court for the Dragons in the 2007-08 season after successfully conquering her battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease. In recognition of her triumph against this illness, the Colonial Athletic Association has chosen Hester as one of two recipients for the Randolph Inspiration Award.
The Randolph Inspiration Award recognizes and honors individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John H. Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995.
Though Hester could not be with her teammates on a daily basis during most of last season, she continued to stay in touch with them in any way she could, giving the team pep talks by way of cell phone and being that source of inspiration that the team could turn to. When Hester's physical condition allowed her to, she would sit on the bench with her teammates during some games last season.
As Hester's condition continued to progress, the Dragons' performance also improved. Drexel ended last season by winning four of their final six games to close out the regular season, which includes the historic five-overtime win against Northeastern. Drexel defeated Georgia State in the opening round of the CAA Tournament before losing to Old Dominion in the quarterfinals.
As Drexel gets ready to begin their 2007-08 season, they will have Hester and the skills she brings to the team back at full strength. Hester will also provide the team with valuable leadership during what hopes to be a very memorable campaign.
Hester shares the award with senior baseball player Corey Cascio of Towson University. Cascio underwent five Embolization treatments and one radiation treatment to remove dangerous growths from his brain and as a result was unable to pitch for the Tigers in 2005 or 2006. He was cleared to return to playing baseball for the Tigers in 2007.
CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager will present Hester and Cascio with the award at ceremonies on campus sometime during the fall.
As it turns out, she would emerge that season as one of the best players on the team, nearly doubling her averages in scoring and rebounding from her freshman year. Hester also led the Dragons in blocks with 18, and was second with 35 steals.
Then, right before the start of Drexel's 2006-07 season, Hester was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, causing her to redshirt the season while she underwent various treatments, which included radiation and chemotherapy to fight the cancer.
Now, almost one year later, the Waldorf, Md. native is ready to return to the court for the Dragons in the 2007-08 season after successfully conquering her battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease. In recognition of her triumph against this illness, the Colonial Athletic Association has chosen Hester as one of two recipients for the Randolph Inspiration Award.
The Randolph Inspiration Award recognizes and honors individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John H. Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995.
Though Hester could not be with her teammates on a daily basis during most of last season, she continued to stay in touch with them in any way she could, giving the team pep talks by way of cell phone and being that source of inspiration that the team could turn to. When Hester's physical condition allowed her to, she would sit on the bench with her teammates during some games last season.
As Hester's condition continued to progress, the Dragons' performance also improved. Drexel ended last season by winning four of their final six games to close out the regular season, which includes the historic five-overtime win against Northeastern. Drexel defeated Georgia State in the opening round of the CAA Tournament before losing to Old Dominion in the quarterfinals.
As Drexel gets ready to begin their 2007-08 season, they will have Hester and the skills she brings to the team back at full strength. Hester will also provide the team with valuable leadership during what hopes to be a very memorable campaign.
Hester shares the award with senior baseball player Corey Cascio of Towson University. Cascio underwent five Embolization treatments and one radiation treatment to remove dangerous growths from his brain and as a result was unable to pitch for the Tigers in 2005 or 2006. He was cleared to return to playing baseball for the Tigers in 2007.
CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager will present Hester and Cascio with the award at ceremonies on campus sometime during the fall.
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