NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State's Cahiem Brown will receive the 2023 Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award, the National Association of Academic & Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) announced on Wednesday morning.
 
One of the most prestigious honors in all of collegiate sports, only five student-athletes are presented the award anually. This year's recipients include Brown, Madison Bednarik (Monmouth), Caroline Crouse (James Madison), Abdelrahman El-Araby (Louisville) and Ekhardt van der Watt (Idaho State).
 
The award recognizes student-athletes who have overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics. It is named after the late Wilma Rudolph, who in 1960 became the first American woman to win three track gold medals at the same Olympic Games
 
"N4A is honored to recognize five outstanding student-athletes with our annual Wilma Rudolph Award," N4A President and Executive Director Jackie Nicholson said. "These student-athletes have overcome many obstacles in their lives, and each has demonstrated grit, resilience, determination, and strength."
 
The five outstanding student-athletes will be honored in conjunction with the 2023 N4A Convention on June 12.
 
Brown has overcome immense hardship and obstacle throughout his life to get where he is today.
 
Brown's mother, Lashayia Watkins, passed away when he was just seven years old, forcing him to take leadership alongside his father, working together to raise his younger brothers in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.
 
During the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in their community, Brown and his family spent nearly three weeks without power, surviving off Meals Ready-to-Eat (MRE) packets distributed by the United States military.
 
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Brown was diagnosed with myocarditis, a rare condition that causes inflammation of the heart muscle, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. A sophomore at Georgia Highlands College at the time, Brown went forward on a long, slow recovery before he could make a safe return to the court.
 
Since arriving at Norfolk State in 2021, Brown said his coaching staff has helped his physical condition and fitness, while also pushing him towards a healthier diet.
 
He enjoyed a breakthrough year as a senior in 2022-23, averaging 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists per game. He scored a career-high 21 points in a dominant win at Coppin State.
 
After graduating this summer, Brown plans to pursue a professional basketball career, before becoming a mental health advocate for young athletes.

Read more on Brown's journey at the link below: