On March 4, 1993, Jim Valvano was awarded the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the first ESPY Awards. Jim Valvano, nicknamed Jimmy V, was a college basketball player, coach, and broadcaster. Jim had an excellent coaching career, coaching for many teams, but most prominently at North Carolina State University. Despite being weakened from his fight against cancer, Jimmy V delivered an inspiring and energetic speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards with a goal to encourage the audience to donate to cancer research.
Valvano coached 10 seasons at North Carolina State, leading them to the national championship in 1983.…