Spring Break
ESPN honors former Hopkins coach
Issue date: 12/6/07
Valvano coached at Hopkins for only one season, during the 1969-1970 school year. As a novice 22-year-old in his first collegiate varsity coaching job, he led the team to a 10-9 finish. This may not seem particularly notable, but it was, in fact, Hopkins's first winning season in 24 years. The next season he became an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut. While people associate Jim Valvano with many different things, basketball coach at Hopkins is certainly far down on the list. But in Valvano's lone year here, it was pretty evident to those who knew him that he was special.
Former Hopkins lacrosse coach and athletic director Bob Scott spoke very fondly of him. "Jim Valvano was something special. We were fortunate to have him. He was just a great personality. We all thought that he would end up with the New York Knicks - he had the brains, the pizazz and the sense of humor."
Scott could also attest to Valvano's skilled oratorical abilities. "He could absolutely spellbind you with stories. He could be telling stories and you would end up holding your sides with how he presented the messages he was trying to get across. In his speeches, he would refer to his time at Hopkins as noting that his main responsibility was being in charge of 'selling tickets during the lacrosse games.'"
I feel it is fitting that nearly 40 years after his head coaching stint here, synergy between basketball and medical research has come full circle at Hopkins. Several Hopkins researchers have been named V Foundation Scholars, and as such have been awarded grants for breakthroughs in cancer research.
Even though Jimmy V was only at Hopkins for one year, I am honored that such an inspiring man was a member of the Blue Jay community.
As someone who has recently lost a relative to cancer, I know how tough the loss can be. But Valvano's courage, high spirits and selflessness can be an inspiration everyone - I know they are to me. And that is why his legacy will live on for ages to come.
To learn more about the V Foundation, check out http://www.jimmyv.org.
Former Hopkins lacrosse coach and athletic director Bob Scott spoke very fondly of him. "Jim Valvano was something special. We were fortunate to have him. He was just a great personality. We all thought that he would end up with the New York Knicks - he had the brains, the pizazz and the sense of humor."
Scott could also attest to Valvano's skilled oratorical abilities. "He could absolutely spellbind you with stories. He could be telling stories and you would end up holding your sides with how he presented the messages he was trying to get across. In his speeches, he would refer to his time at Hopkins as noting that his main responsibility was being in charge of 'selling tickets during the lacrosse games.'"
I feel it is fitting that nearly 40 years after his head coaching stint here, synergy between basketball and medical research has come full circle at Hopkins. Several Hopkins researchers have been named V Foundation Scholars, and as such have been awarded grants for breakthroughs in cancer research.
Even though Jimmy V was only at Hopkins for one year, I am honored that such an inspiring man was a member of the Blue Jay community.
As someone who has recently lost a relative to cancer, I know how tough the loss can be. But Valvano's courage, high spirits and selflessness can be an inspiration everyone - I know they are to me. And that is why his legacy will live on for ages to come.
To learn more about the V Foundation, check out http://www.jimmyv.org.
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