The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- November 9, 1998

Players tackle cancer with team approach

BY KAY HAWES
STAFF WRITER

It takes the efforts of an entire team working together to overcome a mighty opponent like cancer.

And that's just what happened this past year at Central Michigan University when junior tight end Adam Simonson found out he had leukemia. He quickly discovered that he had the assistance of his teammates, his fellow student-athletes, the athletics department and the entire university community.

When Simonson began the season last year, he was prepared to follow up a sophomore year that had included first-team all-Mid-American Conference honors. He had been recognized as an outstanding blocker, receiver and leader. In a preseason poll last fall, Sporting News had ranked him as one of the 10 best tight ends in the nation.

Simonson struggled throughout the season as he shed pounds, made mistakes and got continually weaker. He had worked hard in the off-season and he had had success before, but for some reason he didn't have the season he had anticipated.

On January 8, 1998, doctors made the discovery that was both a relief and a shock. There was something wrong, and it was life-threatening. As Simonson was diagnosed with a serious form of leukemia, it became clear that the unsuccessful season had really meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Simonson launched the fight of his life, and his teammates were there to help him. He needed a bone-marrow transplant, and he also needed help finding a donor who would be an exact match.

The football team and the entire athletics department at Central Michigan organized a bone-marrow drive. Student-athletes from the football team and those from other sports volunteered to be tested to see if they matched.

Valassis Communication Inc. heard about the athletics department's efforts and volunteered to help sponsor the drive. More donations were solicited, and soon there was $10,000 to fund the bone-marrow drive, which expanded to include drives all around the state.

Student-athletes from Central Michigan attended all of the drives, helping in any way possible.

"When we got the news about Adam, I really wanted to help in any way I could," said Eric Page, an offensive lineman. "I think a lot of guys felt the same way."

In March, the Central Michigan Student-Athlete Advisory Board voted unanimously to contribute all its proceeds from "Jock Rock," a student-athlete lip-synching and talent show, to help Simonson with medical expenses.

"It is heart-warming to see the response of the student-athletes and the CMU community," said Herb Deromedi, athletics director at Central Michigan.

A bone-marrow match was ultimately found for Simonson, who has undergone the transplant. He's hoping for the best now, and while he's technically not supposed to venture more than an hour away from the hospital where he received the transplant, he has received his doctor's permission to attend some of the Chippewas' home football games.

"At first I was dealing with the question of how long will I live -- five, 10, 11 or 30 years," Simonson said. "Now I am dealing with the fact that I may never play football again."

Simonson says he couldn't have kept fighting without the support of his fellow student-athletes and the athletics department at Central Michigan.

"I thought that it was amazing when I heard they were donating the proceeds from the Jock Rock and organizing a marrow drive to help me," he said.

"Also, many student-athletes and administrators have driven hours to come to my home and visit me. Their support means a lot to me."

Being a member of a good team always improves your odds.