Native Village
Youth and Education news
Volume 2   April  2011

Angel Goodrich,  A Finalist For 11th Annual V Foundation Comeback Award
[adapted from: http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=205108914]

ESPN will announce the winner of the 11th annual V Foundation Comeback Award during an NCAA basketball game in early April.

The Comeback Award is open to all student-athletes in collegiate basketball.  It's awarded to an individual or a team who have triumphed in the face of adversity. 

The award honors the late Jim Valvano, a basketball coach and ESPN commentator who died from cancer.   In his memorable speech during ESPN Awards, Valvano's "Don't Give Up . . . Don't Ever Give Up!" ® inspired the creation of The V Foundation Comeback Award .

"This year's finalists for The V Foundation Comeback Award truly exemplify courage and determination in the face of adversity," said V Foundation CEO Nick Valvano. "The nominees are exemplary young people who embody The V Foundation's "Don't Give Up" attitude."

One of this year's 11 nominees is Angel Goodrich, a member of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. Angel plays for the Kansas Jayhawks.

Angel arrived at Kansas in 2009 after a stellar high school career. In her second collegiate practice, she suffered a torn ACL in her left knee. Angel spent the rest of the year in rehab.

The next year she led Kansas to a 9-straight week ranking (11-3). She became the fastest player in KU history to record 100 assists. Then, 15 games into the season, Angel tore the ACL in her right knee, along with meniscus damage.

Following rehab, Angel returned for her third season. After three games, she missed seven games for surgery to remove ACL scar tissue.

Angel returned to the court for good in mid-December, 2010. She is a currently:

First in the Big 12 in assists; Leads the league in assists in conference play; Has turned in great stats including double-figure scoring and assist games; Set an Allen Fieldhouse (men and women) assist record with 15, in an upset win vs. #20 Iowa State.

Angel is a role model in the Native American community. She involves herself with community service projects and speaks to many groups about persevering though hard times and overcoming obstacles. Angel has also adopted a local elementary school in KU's Schools for Success program.

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