March 4, 2009

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina women's basketball 6-4 senior center Brooke Johnson has been named a finalist for the ninth annual V Foundation Comeback Award. The award is presented in conjunction with ESPN and the recipient will be announced during ESPN's basketball Final Four/NIT weekend coverage.

The annual award is open to men and women collegiate basketball student-athletes in all 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.

Johnson, from Seymour, Tenn., suffered a devastating knee injury in the 2007-08 season that would have sidelined most players. But instead of conceding, she continued to try and rehabilitate and return to the squad before season's end. However, a setback, forced her to miss the remainder of the year, but she never missed a Lady Catamount game, always cheering the club from the bench. She even made Western Carolina's senior day home game a day after her surgery.

Returning with full force for her senior campaign, Johnson has collected numerous accolades this season. She was a 2009 Lowe's Senior Class Award Candidate, 2009 ESPN The Magazine District 3 First Team All-District selection, three-time Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week, voted Southern Conference Sports Media Association Second Team and named Southern Conference Coaches All-Conference. She is also seven blocks (121) from breaking the school record for blocks in a career.

The 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 was created.

"We continue to be amazed at the strength and resilience of the student-athletes who are nominated for The V Foundation Comeback Award," said V Foundation CEO Nick Valvano. "These young people are outstanding student-athletes who have faced adversity and challenges with incredible determination and strength."

"This is the ninth year of the award, and, once again, the nominees capture the "Never Give Up" spirit of The V Foundation," Valvano continued. "I would be honored to have my brother's name be remembered with each and every one of them."

The other finalists are: Suzanne Albert, Felician College; Jermaine Bishop, Northern Arizona University; Kelvin Davis, San Diego State University; Joe Ford, University of the Pacific; Jerika Jenkins, Hampton University; Cait McMahan, University of Tennessee; Ole Miss Men's Basketball Team, University of Mississippi; Eleia Roddy, University of Kentucky; Dana Pernell Smith II, Longwood University; Tiffara Steward, Farmingdale State College; Azania Stewart, University of Florida.

The 2009 recipient will be selected by an eight-member sub-committee of The V Foundation Board of Directors.

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