OT- Jimmy V Classic
Michigan State is taking on Syracuse on ESPN in the Jimmy V Classic at MSG. Before the tip, ESPN aired the speech of Jim Valvano at the 1993 Espy Awards. For those not familiar with the speech, Coach V had terminal cancer and gave a speech months before he passed away. At the event Coach V established the V Foundation for cancer research. I'm seen the video at least 20 times, but still shed a tear or two. It's one of the best and most powerful speeches I've ever heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuoVM9nm42E
Everyone should watch it at least once...
And Go Orange!
December 7th, 2010 at 9:45 PM ^
RIP Jimmy V.
"Don't give up, don't ever give up"
December 7th, 2010 at 9:46 PM ^
December 7th, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^
I really meant Go [insert team playing MSU]. But Orange Julius is great too.
December 7th, 2010 at 9:47 PM ^
I remember watching this live. Amazing speech.
December 7th, 2010 at 9:56 PM ^
All the more amazing considering he died less than 2 months later.
How good of health could he have been in at the time?
Sad, inspiring.
December 7th, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^
Jimmy V running around looking for someone to hug -- the greatest moment in NCAA tournament history.
December 7th, 2010 at 9:50 PM ^
What an amazing speech, delivered by an amazing man. For as long as I live, I will not be able to watch it without getting choked up.
"Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul."
"Don't give up. Don't ever give up,"
December 7th, 2010 at 9:50 PM ^
arguably the best speech of all time. every time you watch it, it's the fastest 13 minutes of your life.
December 7th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
An unbelievably moving speech. I remember that like it was yesterday...makes me feel like I'm 13 yrs old again sitting next to my Dad watching the 1st ever ESPY awards. I still get teary eyed every time I hear that, never gets old.
December 7th, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^
Anyone else choke up everytime they see that speech? Ive seen it on numerous occasions and it gets me every time. It is definitely one of the greatest speeches EVER!
December 7th, 2010 at 10:13 PM ^
speech. Watching this and listening to his words really helps put life into perspective. My dad and I watched it- we laughed, thought and got choked up during and after this was aired.
December 7th, 2010 at 10:20 PM ^
Yes, Jimmy gave a moving speech. Sad that he died so young. And he ran one of the foulest basketball programs ever. Graduating few of his players. None of the players from the championship ever graduated. Ran afoul of the NCAA and left NCState in disgrace. None of this ever gets mentioned when DickieV goes on about his great friend. Glad that Michigan has never played in this farce of a tournament.
December 7th, 2010 at 10:37 PM ^
so does that detract from the fact that the Jimmy V Foundation has raised over $100 million for cancer research? The foundation is what's promoted by the tourney, not the coach.
December 7th, 2010 at 10:48 PM ^
shame on you.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:18 PM ^
You're a mean one....Mr. Grinch
December 7th, 2010 at 11:58 PM ^
I'm disgusted that I have to share the air I breath with you...get a clue
December 7th, 2010 at 10:57 PM ^
Sparty's FT shooting has been terrible so far this season (unfortunately, ours hasn't been great, either). It's been a clunkfest thus far against 'Cuse. Izzo has got to be about ready to go into full-on IZZO SMASH mode.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:29 PM ^
Is it similar to the reagan smash?
December 7th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
Fun little game going on. A little surprised MSU hasn't been able to impose their will on Syracuse yet.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:36 PM ^
In order to impose your will on someone, you actually have to, you know, hold onto the basketball. MSU is one of the worst teams in D1 basketball this season when it comes to turning over the ball (which has to drive Izzo insane). I think we've all seen junior high teams with better fundamentals (TOs and FT shooting).
December 7th, 2010 at 11:51 PM ^
The Empire State Building looks great tonight...
December 7th, 2010 at 11:54 PM ^
Excellent.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:00 AM ^
......all that good, certainly no where near deserving of a preseason #2 ranking. I'm sure Izzo will have them playing better by B10 season though.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^
"That screen is flashing up there thirty seconds like I care about that screen right now, huh? I got tumors all over my body. I'm worried about some guy in the back going thirty seconds? You got a lot, hey va fa napoli, buddy. You got a lot."
When my time comes, I can only pray that I'll stare my maker in the face and laugh. This is someone that truly had life by the balls, and dedicated the time he had left to touching so many other lives.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:33 AM ^