Lauren Hill, O.J. Brigance to receive NCAA Inspiration Award

(WISH/AP) – Two former students will receive the 2016 NCAA Inspiration Award, including Lauren Hill and O.J. Brigance.

Hill was diagnosed with inoperable brain tumor during her senior year of high school but decided to attend Mount St. Joseph and play basketball even though doctors gave her only a year to live. The NCAA allowed the schools to move up their opener because of her deteriorating condition, and the game was moved to Xavier so more people could attend.

Hill played in four games and scored 10 points before she was too weak to continue. She died in April, and her public memorial was held at the Cintas Center, with her casket placed over the spot where she scored the first basket. The Hiram team attended the memorial as well, and players from the two schools remain close.

The NCAA says that Hill faced her diagnosis with hope and perseverance all while trying to raise awareness about diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

O.J. Brigance was a member of the Rice University team until graduation in 1987 where he encouraged members on and off the field, in the weight room and in the classroom. In 2007, Brigance was diagnosed with ALS. In 2001, he made the first tackle as team captain in Miami for the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl XXXV victory against the New York Giants.

Brigance was later hired by the Ravens to oversee the team’s player development program two years after his pro career ended in 2002.

According to the NCAA, his story has inspired those who knew him and people who have heard his story.

The former athletes will be honored as Inspiration awardees at the NCCA Honors Celebration in January during the NCAA Convention in San Antonio.