Justin Spizman - Dont Give Up...Dont Ever Give Up: The Inspiration of Jimmy V—One Coach, 11 Minutes, and an Uncommon Look at the Game of Life

Copyright 2010 by Justin Spizman and Robyn Freedman Spizman
Literary Works LLC
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Image of Jimmy V courtesy of The V Foundation
Footage courtesy of ESPN Enterprises, Inc.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Spizman, Justin.

Dont give updont ever give up : one coach, 11 minutes, and an uncommon look at the game of life / Justin Spizman and Robyn F. Spizman ; foreword by Nick Valvano.

p. cm.

1. Valvano, Jim. 2. Basketball coachesUnited States. 3. Life skills. 4. Success. I. Spizman, Robyn Freedman. II. Title.

GV884.V34S65 2010

796.323092dc22

[B]

2009039307

Few, if any, accomplish something really important in life without the support of a team. Writing a book is no different.

There would be no book without the listening ear and confidence in our vision that Nick Valvano gave us from the start. He spearheaded this effort and helped it to become a reality. Thank you, Nick, for believing in this project and allowing us the honor of sharing the lessons learned from Jimmys speech; and thanks to Bob Valvano for your time and wonderful stories about Jimmy, along with your helpful guidance. We are especially grateful to you both and The V Foundation for your meaningful support.

To Rosa Gatti of ESPN, who assisted us with the legal details and more, we are appreciative beyond words for your outstanding help, along with ESPN for its ongoing dedication to share the inspiration of Jimmy V and his legacy. To our devoted literary agent John Willig of Literary Services, Inc., who grew up in the same town as the Valvano family and was an enormous fan of Jimmy V. We thank you for your valuable guidance and persistence throughout this project. You embody the spirit of Jimmy V and we are privileged to work with someone with your insights. Thanks also goes to our editor Peter Lynch and the talented staff at Sourcebooks for believing in this book and recognizing the purpose and power behind Jimmy Vs speech.

Jimmy V knew the importance of family, and its no coincidence that a son-and-mother team coauthored this book. I wish to thank my wonderful mother for her endless support and meticulous attention to detail; I am your biggest fan. To my father, for always pushing me to be the best I could be, whether on the sports field or in my professional life. To my sister, Ali, whom I admire more and more every day as she grows into a beautiful and successful woman, and to Phyllis and Jack Freedman, John and Diana Milner, and our entire family who cheer me on at every turn.

To my beautiful bride, Jaime, thank you for supporting me when I needed support, and pushing me when I needed a shove. You are my best friend and I look forward to spending my life with you, because I truly have found someone I cannot live my life without. You light up my world and I love you.

And most importantly, my gratitude goes to the legendary giant of the man behind this book, Jim Valvano. None of this would have been possible without your powerful words and beautiful spirit. Also to Jims entire family and group of supporters. You have created a rock-solid legacy for an amazing man who deserved it. Jim planted the seed, and you have tended the remarkable garden that grew. Thank you for your dedication to helping the fight against cancer.

And finally, to every person who has fought cancer, been touched by this illness, or is determined to help find a cure; with your support, we will beat this disease. Dont give up, dont ever give up.

When I was asked to support this book, I had originally said that there are enough books written about Jim. I guess as the older brother I never really looked at Jim as a celebrity. During most of our early years, my job was to look out for my little brother. My friends were Jims friends as he was included in all our games and activities. Since none of us really wanted him around, we made no concessions for his age. Jim began to show the traits that made him a successful player and coach, as he would always find a way to compete and many times beat the big kids.

Over the years he continued to display a fierce competitive drive, a strong will, and an ability to make us all laugh. As he became successful, our family was thrilled for him, but I am sure none of us thought we were seeing anything exceptional. It was just Jim being Jim, competing, advancing his career, and making everyone laugh along the way.

All that changed in June of 1992 when Jim was diagnosed with cancer. From that moment on, all our lives changed. Although he was receiving the best care and advice, it became apparent that this was Jims most difficult opponent. He continued to be positive, and on every trip to the hospital for his treatment, Jim would visit with the other patients, and, as expected, the room was filled with laughter. For me, it made me angry and frustrated to see my brother being sick and there was nothing I could do to help him.

In January 1993, ESPN approached Jim and offered to help him start a foundation to fight cancer. Jim readily accepted and spent the next few months asking family and friends to join his last team as well as learning all he could about cancer research. As he did his whole life, Jim was trying to find a way to win.

The first ESPY award show was being held on Tuesday, March 4, 1993, and Jim was to receive the first Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. I was with him on the previous Sunday and asked about the show, the award, and should I cancel my business trip to Chicago. Jim said I should go on the trip since this was the first show, and he hadnt even decided what he was going to say when he received the award. Talk about a bad decision!

Jims ESPY speech has become legendary. It gave America a glimpse of the courage needed to fight this disease and, for many, the lessons they can use in their daily lives. In my ten years as CEO of The V Foundation, I have heard countless times, from people of all ages, how listening to this speech continues to motivate them.

On behalf of our family and the Board of Directors of The V Foundation, I want to thank all of you for your support and generosity as we try to achieve Jims dream of a cancer-free world.

Nick Valvano

On March 4, 1993, Jim Valvano made history. He was honored with the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the first annual ESPY Awards presentation. No one knew it at the time, but the speech he delivered would make an indelible mark on the hearts of every listener. Just a year before his famous ESPY speech, Jim was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. He was part of just 2 percent of all cancer patients whose doctors could not figure out the origin of the cancer. Because of this rare situation, Jims cancer was extremely difficult to fight. Doctors told him he had only a short time to live, and on the night of the speech, Jim was covered in tumors and could hardly muster the strength to make it to the stage to accept his award. However, even though he was in unbearable amounts of pain, Jim, known to millions of fans as Jimmy V delivered one of the most moving and courageous speeches that anyone has had the privilege to hear.