The One and Only Jimmy Valvano“Never give up! Failure and rejection are only the first step towards success." These were the words that the late Jimmy Valvano spoke to his audience at the ESPY Awards on March 3, 1993. The ESPY Awards are sponsored annually by ESPN for those who are recognized for their achievements in sports. Nearly 21 years ago, “Jimmy V,” as he was known, gave his speech because he wasn't told to; rather, he gave his speech because he was qualified to influence a revolution. Jimmy Valvano was a prestigious collegiate basketball coach at North Carolina State University. It was at North Carolina State, where he led his Cinderella team to the national championship in 1983. Just nine years later, in 1992, he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer that ultimately cost him his life at the age of 47 years old. tragic death, received the Arthur Ashe Award for bravery. After accepting the first Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the first ESPY Awards, Jimmy V took the stage humiliated and obviously very weak to deliver something long overdue. Through his effective emotional tone and overall organization of the speech, Valvano influenced a community to keep fighting and never let anything stand in the way of pursuing their dreams. Born to Rocco and Angela Valvano, James Thomas Anthony Valvano was not your typical child. Growing up James was a character. He had crazy aspirations that ultimately shaped what he would become in the decades that followed. When James Valvano was around seventeen he pondered what he wanted to do when he grew up, just like many of his peers at that age. James took a small index card and wrote down everything he wanted to accomplish in his life. On that one card, James wrote that... in the center of the paper... cancer research. The “Jimmy V Foundation” was created and today changes cancer research forever. Over $100 million has been generated so far and there will be no stopping there. James Valvano influenced all of us by saying that life presents challenges, but he emphasizes that dreams come true if you really want to grab them, take them and never let them go. So how can we take Valvano's words and use them as a springboard to refocus in the positive direction? For Jimmy it didn't matter if he was terribly weak or dying but he managed to find the strength to continue his ambitious fight. For the rest of us, no matter how tired we are after a hard day at work, a long day at school, or money troubles, we can accept what Jimmy preached to us, and despite the adversity, we can make changes in ourselves to better prepare ourselves to face. the present and the future.