ORLANDO, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman Head Baseball Coach Jason Beverlin was honored on Tuesday (Oct. 14) evening during the 17th Annual National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) Giant Steps Award and Hall of Fame Banquet. Beverlin was on hand to receive the Coaches Giant Steps Award at the event.
Beverlin garnered the award, which is given to individuals who use sport to make positive social change and who overcome adversity and still succeed, after surmounting a health scare during the 2013 off-season. Following the 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Championships, Beverlin’s health took a downturn as he fought a bout with a rare, painful skin condition which put his life at risk.
“It gives you added perspective and although the wins and losses are very important to all of us, at the end of the day those numbers fade away, and it’s all what we teach our players as coaches that is really going to be remembered,” Beverlin said.
After extensive treatment at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, Beverlin returned to work late in the summer, just in time to get back to work with the 2014 Wildcats. Although the Wildcats themselves faced adversity during the season, much like their skipper, B-CU rose above the obstacles and went on to win the MEAC Championships crown, while conference officials selected Beverlin as Tournament Outstanding Coach. In addition, the Wildcats went on to claim the first postseason victory since 2002 during the NCAA Regional in Coral Gables, Florida.
Joining Beverlin as award recipients on Tuesday were Memuna Mansaray McShane (Courageous Student-Athlete), St. Andrews Episcopal School (Potomac, MD); Fabyon Harris (Courageous Student-Athlete), Texas A&M University; DiKembe Mutombo Foundation (Community Organization), DiKembe Mutombo (Founder); Jack Burleson (A Hero Among Us), Runner; Christina-Taylor Green (President’s Award [posthumous]); Landon Moore (Civic Leader) Founder & Coach, Star City Soccer Foundation.
“For the whole event, the National Consortium for Sports and Academics does a great job of really embracing the spirit of sports,” Beverlin said. “Some of the stories and circumstances that people have overcome are just amazing.“
“What they’re doing to improve not only sports, but our world through sports is remarkable,” Beverlin added. “A lot of the progress that we’re seeing with regard to gender and diversity is in large part due to the work they’re doing.”
To read more about Beverlin’s case, Orlando Sentinel feature columnist Shannon Owens detailed his painful ordeal during the preseason in February 2014 ("Rare disease helps B-CU baseball coach teach Wildcats value of never taking any opportunities for granted").
The NCAS Giant Steps Awards Banquet has taken place annually since 1988. These honors are awarded in the categories of courageous student-athletes, coaches, civic leaders, athletic administrators, parents and teachers and are chosen by a diverse selection committee from hundreds of nominations received nationwide.