Western Michigan Sophomore Honored at ESPN The Magazine’s College Basketball Awards

Western Michigan sophomore basketball player Kristin Koetsier has been awarded the second annual V Foundation Comeback of the Year Award, selected by The V Foundation for Cancer Research in conjunction with ESPN. Koetsier received the award at the nationally televised Suzuki presents ESPN The Magazine’s College Basketball Awards, held on March 28, 2002 in conjunction with the men’s and women’s Final Fours.

Koetsier, was selected from a group of nominees who all shared one common trait – they overcame adversity in their lives and playing careers and came back to excel in sports, as well as life. Joining Koetsier as 2002 Comeback Award finalists were: Justin Allen (Arizona State University), Jamel Bradley (University of South Carolina), Martha Chaput (Drake University), Juan Dixon (University of Maryland), Andrea Gianni (West Virginia Wesleyan), and Mandy Kappel (Drake University).

In just under three years, Koetsier overcame injury and life-threatening illness. The 1999 Michigan Miss Basketball had her spleen removed prior to her freshman year at Western Michigan after being diagnosed with the blood disorder ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura). She resumed workouts in October and went on to easily win Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year honors and first-team all-league honors after leading WMU to the MAC West Division title. She was named Freshman All-America by two women’s basketball news services.

In July of 2000, Koetsier tore the ACL in her knee and played just four games before accepting an NCAA medical redshirt.

She underwent surgery and rehabilitation for the knee in preparation for return in the 2001-02 season. She was then diagnosed with TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura), another blood disorder considered more serious than the first. She underwent more than 50 blood treatments through a tube in her chest that removed her blood, stripped the plasma, and added donor plasma. Chemotherapy treatment created side effects such as numbness in her fingers and hair loss.

The treatments that lasted the entire summer of 2001 prohibited any physical activity. Still, Koetsier returned to the court to rejoin her squad for the 2001-2002 season. She led the Broncos in scoring and rebounding and was twice named MAC West Division Player of the Week.

“Kristin Koetsier is an extraordinary young woman,” said V Foundation CEO Nick Valvano. “We wanted this award to exemplify the spirit and tenacity of collegiate basketball players who face adversity and defy the odds. Kristin’s story, her strength, her resolve is an inspiration to all of us.

“My brother loved young people and he loved a challenge,” Valvano continued. “We are proud to present this award to Kristin in his memory and in honor of the courage, the spirit and the perseverance she has displayed. She’s a very special person and an outstanding example for student-athletes everywhere. Jim said ‘don’t give up. . . don’t ever give up’ and Kristin’s life exemplifies that phrase.

Koetsier was surprised to learn that she won the award: “I was shocked,” she said. “Just to read what the other nominees went through makes me realize how big this was in my life.” 

She was also anxious to learn about Jim Valvano and the background of the award. “After seeing the (ESPY speech) video and who he was and what he’d been through I felt so honored to win this award. I cried. I watched the video five times in one day and it’s very overwhelming to be given this honor that represents his legacy. I’m honored to be associated with his name,” she added.

Western Michigan head coach Ron Stewart echoed Koetsier’s remarks: “We’re extremely happy that Kristin was a finalist with such an elite group of athletes. She’s battled back more than once from surgery and injury,” he said.

“Kristin is someone who works extremely hard and keeps a lot of things to herself. Coaches and others on the outside don’t know the adversity she faced. She faced those adversities and battled hard and played hard every day,” he added.

A panel of judges from The V Foundation Board of Directors selected the award recipient. Men and women basketball student-athletes from universities in all three NCAA division levels were eligible to be nominated by their athletic administration. Nearly 30 student-athletes were nominated.