A touching and memorable speech by former Nevada softball player Jayme King receiving the new Inspiration Award that will carry her name brought on a standing ovation and highlighted the Wolfies Awards at Nightingale Hall on Tuesday.
The event celebrated Wolf Pack students, athletically and academically and was presented by Nevada's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Nevada athletics department. Nine inaugural Wolfie Awards, voted upon by student-athletes, were presented alongside a number of academic achievements and honors.
With local radio personality Ron James serving as the emcee, the evening featured student-athletes, administrators and special guests as award presenters and a dance performance featuring student-athletes, cheer and deputy athletics director Rory Hickok.
The lasting moment was the tribute to King, who was also celebrating her 24th birthday on Tuesday. King played softball for the Wolf Pack in 2011 before being stricken with Ewing's sarcoma. She underwent chemotherapy and surgery followed by another round of chemotherapy and, in 2012, doctors told her that the rare bone cancer was in remission. The cancer returned in 2013, and King endured another round of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. She is currently battling another reoccurrence but graduated from the University in December.
Watch the video of King's
Speech at the 2015 Wolfie
Awards.
She is the inaugural honoree of an award that bears her name. Moving forward, the Jayme King Inspiration Award will be presented annually to a Nevada student-athlete who exhibits courage in overcoming adversity, whether it be in athletics, academics or life.
"Do something every day that you wouldn't normally do," King told a crowd of more than 600, including the bulk of Nevada's 400 student-athletes and nearly 100 family members and friends. "I sat in the seat you are sitting in as an athlete. I lived and breathed my sport. It was all I knew and nothing else could get in the way. When you hear 'You have cancer,' your life stops on a dime. If you can do it today, do it today. Don't wait until tomorrow because life is the easiest thing to take for granted."
The inaugural Wolfie Awards went to:
Newcomer of the Year (male) - Ryan Howell (Baseball)
Newcomer of the Year (female) - Jaeger Turner (WSwimming and Diving)
Selfie King/Queen - Hasaan Henderson (Football)
Most Improved Team - Swimming and Diving
Not So Clutch Award - Kyle Hunt (Baseball)
Pack Supporting Pack - Cheer
Coach of the Year - Abby Steketee (Swimming & Diving)
Upset of the Year - Baseball vs. No. 5 Texas Tech
Play of the Year - Krysta Palmer (Swimming & Diving) 10.0 dive at MW Championships
Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year - Sommer King, Volleyball; Tara Park, Track and Field; Jordan Dobrich, Football.
Team of the Year - Swimming and Diving
