Sporting Heroes: Jimmy Valvano, the Cinderella coach
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jimmy Valvano is a name not widely known this side of the Atlantic. In America, he is revered as an extraordinary inspiration.
It was as a college basketball coach of NC State Wolfpack that the brash Italian-American made his name. After 10 years’ coaching, “Jimmy V” arrived at State and told anyone who would listen he would win the National Championship. State had won the title only once, seven years before, and were struggling. In their first practice, Jimmy told his team: “If I can get you to see what I’m seeing and to dream what I’m dreaming, then we will win the championship.”
His first two seasons did not go well, and at the start of the third, in 1982, expectations were low. In the first game, State’s best player Dereck Whittenburg broke his foot. After a very average season the only way to reach the National Tournament was to win their Conference in three knockout rounds. Jimmy’s phrase “survive and advance” became the mantra.
Whittenburg returned; the Cinderella story began. Behind in every game in the fourth quarter, State always found a way back. In the semi-final, they beat Michael Jordan’s North Carolina and in the final they upended Virginia, the No 2 ranked team in the country.
Heading into the National tournament, the players began to believe Jimmy’s prophecy. Match after match State fell behind, yet after winning nine games in a row against the best teams in the country, the underdog was crowned 1983 NCAA champion.
In 1992, Valvano was diagnosed with cancer. Three months before his death in April 1993, he launched the Jimmy V Foundation, which has raised over $100m in the fight against cancer. He was 47 when he died. NC State have never won another National Championship.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments