Maggie Maloy of Defiance College and Sam Paneno of the University of California, Davis, each of whom overcame not one but two life-altering events, will each receive the Association's Inspiration Award, which will be presented at the NCAA Honors Dinner January 13 in Indianapolis.

The Inspiration Award, created by the NCAA Honors Committee this year, may be presented to a coach or administrator currently associated with intercollegiate athletics, or to a current or former varsity letter-winner at an NCAA institution who, when confronted with a life-altering situation, used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome the event and now serves as a role model to give hope and inspiration to others in similar situations.

Maloy, a track and cross country runner, completed her career and graduated in 2001 despite being the victim a violent crime during her high-school days and a serious traffic accident during her junior year in college.

Maloy continues to speak before youth groups about what a person can overcome to achieve goals.

Paneno, a running back for the UC Davis football team, had to have his lower right leg amputated as the result of a life-threatening football injury that occurred September 11, 1999, versus Western Oregon University, the team's second game of that season.

Despite his injury, he continued to thrive as both a student and athlete. After graduating this December, he plans to enter law school with a career focusing on public interest law, working with laws related to people with disabilities and nonprofit organizations.