NYIT volleyball student-athlete Luci Ferraro, diagnosed with Crohn’s disease two years ago, has received a one-year scholarship through a program designed to help people afflicted with the disease accomplish their goals.

Ferraro was one of 30 scholarship recipients from more than 1,000 applicants to the UCB Crohn’s Scholarship Program. UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, awards one-time grants of up to $10,000 to people diagnosed with Crohn's disease “who demonstrate academic ambition and who are reaching beyond the boundaries of their condition.”

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, debilitating illness in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the gastrointestinal tract.

Ferraro already had established herself as an accomplished student and an exceptional athlete before her diagnosis. She participated in the NCAA National Leadership Conference, was a student-athlete advisor, started for the NYIT women’s volleyball team her first two years and made the athletics director’s honor roll every semester.

The disease, however, causes a person to lose endurance and strength, symptoms Ferraro experienced on and off the volleyball court for more than a year and a half before she was officially diagnosed. Determined to remain active in her leadership role as team captain, Ferraro attended every practice and game even when she was too weak to play. She maintained a 4.0 grade-point average despite extended absences from school.

After trials with several medications, Ferraro was told that she would need an ileostomy, a surgical procedure in which the small intestine is attached to the abdominal wall to bypass the large intestine. Ferraro knew that it would be an arduous road to recovery, both emotionally and physically, but she was determined to get back on the court in time for volleyball season and worked through three-a-day preseason practices to get back in shape.

Although Ferraro was told the ileostomy would be permanent, after 14 months she has been given the chance to reverse the surgery, although the reversal may not last forever.

“Luci has bravely battled Crohn’s disease her entire college volleyball career,” said NYIT Athletics Director Clyde Doughty. “She endured two major surgeries, and the operations forced her to take two medical withdrawals from school. However, she consistently maintained a high GPA and remained in constant contact with her teammates.  

“She never allowed her illness to dissuade her from achieving her goals of education and athletics participation. Due to her strong character and tremendous inner strength and passion, she was named captain of the team. She is and continues to be an inspiration to every member of the NYIT athletics community.”

Ferraro is considering becoming a high school social studies teacher and getting a master’s degree in Italian to teach English to Italian children.