The Triangle

Issue date: 5/22/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Aaron Walizer

It's an understatement to call Nicole Hester's journey a "feel-good" story as it was an inspiration to not only her friends, family and teammates - but to everyone who heard it as well. And from Hester's triumphant comeback from battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma to leading the Dragons to their first ever CAA Championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance, The Collegiate Women's Sports Awards has recognized her to be the recipient of the 2009 Honda Inspiration Award.

"I feel so honored to be chosen from a group of people who have all overcome great challenges in their lives," Hester said on receiving the Honda Inspiration Award. 

"While I never really thought of myself as being an inspiration to others, I know that I wouldn't want anyone else to have to go through what I did, and I know that I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends and family. So if my story helps other people get through their own struggles or makes them keep on fighting, then I'm happy to be an inspiration for them."

The Collegiate Women's Sports Awards, now in its 33rd year, recognizes and honors the accomplishments of female athletes in NCAA-member colleges around the country. The Honda Inspiration Award is given out each year to a female college athlete who has overcome adversity to excel in her sport, and it goes without question that Hester excelled on and off the court in terms of her play and leadership.

Entering her junior season, Hester was preparing to be a force on the court after a sophomore season in which she was recognized as the Dragons' defensive MVP by leading the team with 18 blocked shots and 35 steals. But before the 2006-2007 season began, she received heartbreaking news as a positive diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma forced her to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

"The diagnosis brought up a lot of mixed feelings," Hester said. "At first I didn't know too much about Hodgkin's, so even though my doctor told me not to research it online, of course I went right to the Internet. I found out that it was much more serious than I had thought. Still, I never had a doubt in my mind that I'd be able to beat it."

And Hester did more than just beat the cancer as she was able to return for the 2007-2008 season when she lead the team with 82 assists and was fourth in scoring with 7.1 ppg. In the 2008-2009 season, the Dragons defied the odds and dethroned Old Dominion and knocked off James Madison to become CAA Champions on their way to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in part due to Hester's leadership.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools