Katie Schumacher-Cawley’s coaching journey is really tied to the Penn State legacy. After an impressive career as an All-American player, she stepped into the role in 2022 when the legendary coach Russ Rose retired. Since taking over as head coach, she’s done a fantastic job keeping the program’s tradition of excellence alive.

The Nittany Lions have made it to the NCAA tournament regularly, and she’s also been great at shaping the next generation of stars in the sport. But behind the scenes, Schumacher-Cawley was dealing with a more personal struggle—one that challenged not just her abilities as a coach, but her desire to keep going. Even with chemotherapy and hospital visits becoming a regular part of her life, she never turned her back on the game or the young women who looked to her for guidance.

At the 2025 ESPYs, Katie Schumacher-Cawley received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award and gave a heartfelt tribute during her speech, celebrating not just her achievements as a coach, but also her incredible strength as a survivor. In an emotional moment shared on ESPN’s Instagram, she expressed, “I’m beyond humbled and truly grateful for this moment. This past year has been one I could have never imagined. It’s been filled with challenges, with grit, with tears, but also with perspective, purpose, and unbelievable love. Cancer changed my life, but it didn’t take it. It didn’t take my belief, it didn’t take my spirit, and it didn’t take my team.”

The coach spoke with such strength, filling the room with her words. You could really feel the resilience that shaped her journey and the heartfelt gratitude she had for everyone who stood by her side. She paused for a moment to express her gratitude to those nearest to her, her voice shaking a bit as she recognized the deep emotional support they provided.

“You’ve been my rock, my strength. You gave me mine. You showed up in every moment, even the hard ones, with love, humor, and unwavering support. Thanks to my doctors at UPenn and Mount Nittany Medical, a person does not fight cancer alone. Yeah, give it, let’s go. The medical professionals to help so many of us are such heroes,” she said.

Furthermore, to her team and former players, she expressed, “Thanks to everyone at Penn State, especially my staff, they made this whole season possible. Let’s give it up for my staff, please. And thank you to my team and my former players, you inspired me every day to keep fighting and you reminded me what it means to be something, part of something bigger than yourself. That jersey we wear means everything and the bond we share is unbreakable.”

Katie Schumacher-Cawley concluded with a powerful homage to the late coach Jim Valvano, whose “don’t ever give up” mantra has become a rallying cry for cancer warriors. She also took a moment to honor everyone who’s fought the disease, especially her dad. Her journey from battling cancer to defeating it is really inspiring!

The moment when Katie Schumacher-Cawley defeated cancer

Katie Schumacher‑Cawley got the news about her breast cancer in September 2024, and instead of taking a step back, she decided to keep pushing forward. She continued coaching Penn State’s women’s volleyball team while going through chemotherapy. She pumped herself up with determination, saying, “I’m going to be healthy, and I will get through this,” as she made it to every practice and match, even with the tough treatment she was facing. By choosing to stay on the sidelines, she showed her strong spirit and became a source of strength for both herself and her players.

By February 10, 2025, after going through six rounds of chemo, she hit a major milestone that marked the end of her treatment. With a sense of shared relief and happiness, she rang the bell at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine—signifying the end of a tough journey—and said, “Today, I rang the bell, marking the end of this chapter. What a journey it has been.” She wrapped up her chemo treatment just months after leading her team to an amazing 35–2 season and snagging the NCAA national title—making her the first female Division I women’s volleyball coach to win the championship.

Schumacher‑Cawley’s incredible journey—from facing breast cancer while coaching Penn State to achieving national success, to ringing the bell in February and giving a touching acceptance speech at the ESPYs—really highlights a story of resilience, leadership, and hope that goes beyond just sports.