March 12, 2003

CARY, N.C.-One of the most inspirational stories in the history of Miami University's women's basketball program, senior guard Beth Roederer (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) has been honored as one of 10 finalists for the third annual V Foundation Comeback Award, which is presented by the V Foundation for Cancer Research and ESPN in memory of Jim Valvano, the late basketball coach and announcer, whose personal battle with cancer inspired the creation of the V Foundation.

Joining Roederer on the list of finalists are Justin Allen, Arizona State University; Bryan Anderson, Malloy College; Kassidi Bishop, University of Louisville; Sherri Brown, St. John's University; Tiffanie Hager, Kent State University; Mike King, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; Linda Lappe, University of Colorado; Tomas Ress, Texas A&M University; and Derrick Tarver, University of Akron.

"Once again we are so impressed and heartened by the incredible strength and resilience of these young people, " said CEO Nick Valvano. "This award is very special to us not only because it honors an outstanding young student-athlete who has faced adversity, but also because that young person truly captured the spirit of what embodies our foundation-the Never Give Up attitude which symbolized their comebacks."

Roederer, who has played in integral part in the rebuilding of the Miami program over the past four seasons, has been hindered by a veritable laundry list of medical conditions throughout her career. Prior to her freshman season, Roederer was forced to undergo a an array of painful tests before she was diagnosed with Bilateral Exertional Compartment Syndrome-a condition in which the tissue membrane encasing the calf muscles does not expand enough to allow for the routine swelling of the muscles during physical activity, resulting in extreme pain in the lower legs. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries to ease her suffering, little can be done to alleviate the condition, which effects Roederer not only on the court but also in her everyday life.

After missing just five games during her freshman season while recovering from the operations on her lower legs, Roederer's problems multiplied. The following spring she faced her first bout with Rhabdomyolysis-a condition that causes great swelling and pain in the afflicted muscles as well as kidney problems-which forced her to spend time in the hospital. After a relapse of the condition later in her career, the Miami Sports Medicine staff sent Roederer to a specialist, who, after subjecting Roederer to another battery of tests over a period of months, diagnosed her as Carnitine Deficient-a condition in which the body is unable to break down fatty acids. While there is no cure for the condition, an array of supplements and medications make it tolerable.

Despite all she has had to overcome throughout her career, Roederer has missed just six games in four seasons and played an integral part in Miami's 2002-03 Mid-American Conference East Division title run. As a senior, Roederer was nominated for MAC Defensive Player of the Year plaudits while averaging 7.1 points per game and shooting 43 percent from the field. In league play, Roederer is pouring in 8.4 ppg and shooting better than 45 percent from the floor. She also has been a successful student at Miami, carrying a 3.4 GPA.

The award will be presented in conjunction with ESPN and will be announced during ESPN's basketball Final Four weekend coverage.