SEATTLE (May 17) ­ Brittney Kroon of Seattle Pacific University's national runner-up basketball team, has been named winner of the Honda Inspiration Award, presented annually to the collegiate women athlete who has overcome great physical adversity to contribute to the success of her team.

Three years ago, Brittney Kroon's future was in jeopardy. This past season Kroon played a key role in Seattle Pacific's run to the NCAA Division II championship game. Photo courtesy Joanie Komura

Kroon (Jr., 6-4, Wasilla, Ak.) will be presented her award June 28 in New York City at the Collegiate Women's Sports Awards board dinner. She was selected by Inspiration Award committee members from nominations submitted by NCAA member schools.

This past season Kroon played a key role in Seattle Pacific's run to the NCAA Division II championship game. She finished No. 2 in the nation in blocked shots (3.97) and was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference leader in field-goal percentage (.569). Kroon averaged career highs of 9.5 points and 7.1 rebounds and was voted honorable mention all-conference.

Kroon has been a finalist for the V Foundation Comeback Award each of the last two years. A history major with a 3.74 grade point average, she was also voted an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII selection in 2005.

Three years ago, Kroon's future was in jeopardy. While in high school, she 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.

Kroon is believed to be only the second liver transplant patient to participate in NCAA athletics. The first, Corinne Carson of Marymount (Va.), received the Honda Inspiration Award in 1994.

At times, the effects of the transplant and ongoing medication can become burdensome to Kroon. Still, she has not missed a game in two years, starting 64 straight at center. She led the NCAA in blocks as a sophomore and holds every school record in that category.

The Falcons have achieved back-to-back West Region championships and 30-win seasons. They reached the national title game for the first time in 2005 and finished 30-3.

Awards contact: Harvey Bolgla or Adam Weissman, Dobbin/Bolgla Associates (212/388-1400)