Inside Katie Schumacher-Cawley’s Breast Cancer Journey

Penn State women’s volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley will be honored at the 2025 ESPY Awards with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

The resilient head coach led her team to a national championship while undergoing treatment for Stage 2 breast cancer, becoming the first female head coach to win an NCAA women’s volleyball title, per ESPN.

Strength in the Face of Adversity

Diagnosed in late September 2024, Schumacher-Cawley shared the news publicly via Instagram weeks later, requesting that attention remain on her team.

Rather than step away from her responsibilities, the longtime Nittany Lion chose to coach through every round of treatment.

“Being around this team and the staff is when I feel most normal,” Schumacher-Cawley revealed before the national semifinal. “For me, being at practice and in the gym with them makes it a whole lot easier.”

Despite the weight of her diagnosis, Schumacher-Cawley never missed a practice or match and became a symbol of resilience. “She still comes into that gym every day with the same fire and intensity,” senior middle blocker Taylor Trammell told ESPN. “She hasn’t missed a practice all year, and that makes it even more incredible to me that she’s been able to do that,” added Louisville coach Dani Busboom Kelly.

The longtime Penn State leader began a swift and focused treatment plan shortly after her diagnosis. By February—just six months later—Schumacher-Cawley returned to Instagram to share that she had completed chemotherapy.

“Well, we did it! Six rounds of chemo — done! Today, I rang the bell, marking the end of this chapter,” she wrote. “What a journey it has been. There truly are no words to express how deeply grateful I am for the unwavering support from every corner of my life.”

ESPY Honors, a Historic Title, & Her Legacy

Schumacher-Cawley’s leadership and persistence culminated in Penn State’s return to the NCAA title match for the first time since 2014. Her players rallied behind her message of presence and unity, adopting a team motto early in the season: “Bigger than us.”

“I’m going to be healthy, and I will get through this, and it’s just part of my journey and my life right now,” she announced earlier in the season.

In the months that followed, Schumacher-Cawley formed a meaningful partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a deeply personal mission rooted in her own experience. Fittingly, the organization is now honoring her with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2025 ESPY Awards.

“This journey has tested me in every way, but it has also shown me the depth of love, community, and resilience. From the bottom of my heart — thank you,” she said. “To be mentioned among the incredible recipients of this award is something I will carry with me always. I will continue to stand up for those who can’t, until we find a cure.”