As Jimmy V said: 'Don't give up. Don't ever give up.' Here are three local examples of that fighting spirit

Watching college basketball last week, I was inspired again by what they call "Jimmy V Week" on ESPN, where games are dedicated to the memory of ex-North Carolina State Coach Jim Valvano and his V Foundation charity. The organization is dedicated to the fight to cure kids cancer.

Jimmy V was a gregarious, effusive coach with a smile and personality that could literally light up a room. Sadly, that light was dimmed when, at the way too early age of 47, he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer invading the back and spine, which not long after took his life.

Only two weeks before he passed, he was the featured speaker at the ESPY Awards on national TV, and he gave what is to this day one of the most famous and riveting speeches of our lifetime. Sports fan or not, the speech has inspired and motivated many throughout the years. If you have never seen it, (and again, you do not have to be a sports fan to enjoy it) it is highly recommend viewing (seen easily on any number of websites).

The lasting motto of the speech, and one that has lived on not just in sports lore, but all walks of life, is: "Don't give up. Don't ever give up." He spoke those words that night and it has spoken to millions in the many years since.

The message got me thinking. What are some prime examples of this "don't ever give up" spirit that we have seen with past teams or players from our area?

There are many potential examples here, but I will go back in time for three that I think stand out as truly shining examples:

First is the Prospect High School football of the '90s and early 2000s. I was announcing high school football games for Comcast back then, and I will never forget doing the Prospect games. The football program was as low as low could get, almost to the point where due to fading numbers they would have to cancel the program. It was not a pretty sight. For a 12-year period from 1985 to 1997, the team had only 15 wins against 93 losses, barely averaging more than one win per season. Ouch.

It got so bad that very few fans showed up to the games, and those who did were usually there to watch their award-winning marching band perform. After halftime the stands literally cleared out. It was depressing to see, but I always respected those athletes and coaches who stuck it out even through the most dire of times.

And the ones who did? They were rewarded to say the least. Coach Brent Pearlman and a new staff took over and suddenly things started turning for a program that had almost disbanded. The first year: four wins. Optimism was growing. Year two? Six wins and a playoff berth. And, incredibly, in year three, the Knights explode and go undefeated and win a state championship! Just three years after the lowest of lows!

Oh, and just to make sure it was no fluke? They won a state championship again in year four. Back to back!

All from a group and program that was a Mid-Suburban League punching bag for so many years. Unreal turnaround from a group of kids and coaches who, even in the toughest of circumstances, refused to get down.

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."

The second example comes from the collegiate ranks; more specifically, nearby Northern Illinois University and then-Coach Joe Novak. Coach Joe came in without much fanfare or notoriety but brought in a workmanlike, old school, no-nonsense approach.

Things did not go well at first. Starting in 1996, the team over the next three seasons won just three games including a 19-game losing streak. Repeat: Three years and just three victories. Let that pain sink in.

When the Huskies finally broke the 19-game losing streak, the student body stormed the field, tore down the goal post, carried it all the way down Lincoln Highway in DeKalb and dumped it in the campus lagoon. Such was the sarcasm of celebration.

But the players and coaches did not give up. Players, by the way, who were almost all from our very own Daily Herald coverage area. Talented high school athletes, who maybe were just under the radar of the major Division 1 schools. Coach Joe brought them in and they all stayed the course, believing that despite the losing streak, they had built a foundation for future success.

They were correct. In year four, things start to change. The Huskies start winning. They go 6-5 for a couple seasons and then a MAC Conference Championship in 2002. The success builds from there and they go on to have seven consecutive winning seasons, and in 2003 are ranked in the top ten in the country.

A far cry from 19 straight losses and three straight brutal losing seasons. All from a group of players and coaches who believed in the system, believed in each other and most importantly refused to give in.

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."

The final example is one I wrote about just over a year ago while working for another Glenview/Northbrook paper.

It is the story of 2007 Glenbrook South graduate Sam Cipolla. A three-sport athlete and popular student, who while in her first year at Purdue University was diagnosed with a life threatening and rare cancer.

Her two-year battle through treatments, operations and painful surgeries are all well-documented on the still available 1tuffcookie.blogspot.com site. Suffice it to say, the young lady was put through the gauntlet numerous times and kept fighting back.

What made it most amazing was how she kept her unbreakable spirit and relentless sense of humor throughout the ordeal. She amazingly was able to uplift others - all while suffering through what no 21-year-old should ever have to go through.

Sam lost her battle on October 30, 2009, but through her determination and will and refusal to give in, she motivated and inspired a whole generation of kids and adults in the community.

" Don't give up. Don't ever give up."

Just three examples of the fighting spirit that makes so many of us appreciate what the world of sports can bring us.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan.