Falcons' Kroon Chosen As Finalist for "V" Comeback Award
March 11, 2004

Brittney Kroon has been chosen as a finalist for the V Foundation Comeback Award. The award is presented in partnership with ESPN.

SEATTLE (Mar. 10) – Brittney Kroon, starting center of Seattle Pacific University’s No. 1-ranked women’s basketball team, has been chosen as a finalist for the V Foundation Comeback Award. The award is presented in partnership with ESPN and the recipient will be announced during ESPN’s basketball Final Four/NIT weekend coverage.

The Comeback Award, now in its fourth year, is given annually to a college basketball student-athlete who has accomplished a personal triumph in the face of true adversity, be it in health, life or moral dilemma. It is presented by The V Foundation and ESPN in honor of late basketball coach Jim Valvano, whose battle with cancer inspired the creation of The V Foundation.

In his memorable speech at ESPN’s inaugural ESPY Awards announcing the creation of The V Foundation, Valvano’s “Don’t Give Up. . .Don’t Ever Give Up!”® motto created a legacy from which the Comeback Award has been created.

While in high school, Kroon (So., 6-4, Wasilla, Ak.) was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis (where the body’s immune system attacks its own liver). Her name was on the national liver recipient list. Following her senior season, in March of 2002, a donor was again identified and Kroon underwent successful transplant surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center.

Today, Kroon has not only recovered but fulfills a key role the undefeated Seattle Pacific team (27-0), which enters the postseason ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II. The falcons host the West regional tournament beginning Friday at Brougham Pavilion. They face UC San Diego in the first round at 7:30.

Kroon leads the nation in shot-blocking (4.44 per game and a conference record of 13 in one contest), while averaging 8.2 points and 6.4 rebounds.

Other local finalists are Grant Dykstra of Western Washington and Brendon Merritt of the Eastern Washington. More than 50 student-athletes were nominated for the award.