Standout James Chappell Chosen As Ferris State Athletics' Jimmy Swears Courage Award Honoree
Note: This is the second of four major FSU Athletics Awards that will be presented between now and July 8 for the 2015-16 campaign. The remaining awards will be announced Thursday & Friday of this week.
Big Rapids, Mich. - For the first time ever, a men's basketball student-athlete has been chosen as the recipient of Ferris State Athletics' Jimmy Swears Courage Award. Senior forward James Chappell (Detroit/Southwestern) of the Bulldog men's basketball program was chosen as the honoree of the prestigious award for the recently-completed 2015-16 campaign.
The Jimmy Swears Courage Award is presented to a deserving student or current personnel within the Bulldog Athletics program, who when confronted with a life-altering situation, has used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome the odds while inspiring others.
"James Chappell is an outstanding choice as the Jimmy Swears Courage Award recipient," said FSU Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger. "He overcame the odds to not only develop into a great player on the court, but also a college graduate. His spirit and determination inspired our men's basketball team to back-to-back conference championships and an exciting run to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen this past year. He should be proud of his accomplishments and we are honored to name him as the recipient of the Jimmy Swears Courage Award."
A senior this past season, Chappell helped the Bulldogs claim a second consecutive Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship while garnering all-conference recognition. The Bulldogs also advanced to the NCAA Tournament where they reached the Division II Sweet Sixteen. Chappell was a regular in the Ferris State starting lineup as the Bulldogs posted their second-straight season with 20 or more victories, marking the first time in which it had occurred since the late 1980's.
Over his final two seasons in the Bulldog program, Chappell helped Ferris State win 47 games after transferring in from the junior college ranks. In addition, he showed great courage overcoming adversity, injury and other issues in life growing up to become an integral part of the Bulldog lineup and a college graduate. He finished as the heart and soul of a championship team while also becoming a fan favorite both on and off the court.
Chappell, who grew up in Detroit and was Southwestern High School's last-ever player to reach the college ranks, battled on at FSU despite missing nearly his entire first season after sustaining a season-ending injury in 2013-14. His determination and dedication eventually enabled him to conclude his career ranked among the school's top 10 all-time shot blockers with hopes of playing professionally. His performance also enabled the Bulldogs to lead all levels of college basketball this past year in blocks.
"James has persevered and battled tough odds in many ways, yet finished his last semester as both an all-conference player and an "A" student," said FSU head coach Andy Bronkema. "He was the spirit of our team and counted on to inspire others.
"Throughout the course of the year, he also spent time speaking to various groups and kids who needed inspiration. His life story and where he came from is inspiring and he has found a way to succeed. The common link over the past two seasons has been his spirit, which has helped lead us to record wins and accomplishments," he added.
The award is named in honor of longtime FSU Athletics booster Jim Swears, who passed away Jan. 17, 2007, at the age of 64 following a lengthy bout with cancer. A local businessman and community activist, Swears was a strong supporter of Ferris State men's ice hockey, football, and basketball. He worked diligently to help develop and maintain FSU's status as a NCAA Division I men's ice hockey program. Additionally, Swears served on the board of directors for the Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association and was an active member of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. He was the 2006 recipient of the Northern Lights Lifetime Achievement Award for business and industry in the Big Rapids (Mich.) area.
Nominees for the award are an inspiration to their peers, serve as a role model to others and are a team leader while responding to adversity. Those individuals nominated for the award must be involved with the Bulldog intercollegiate athletics program and possibly include student-athletes, student managers, student coaches and/or student athletic trainers in addition to current athletics department personnel.
Chappell became the eighth-ever winner of the Jimmy Swears Courage Award and the first men's basketball player to earn the recognition. Former women's basketball guard Kylie Muntz is the only two-time winner of the prestigious honor, making this year's honor the ninth time overall in which the award has been bestowed.
The other nominees for this year's honor included women's basketball guard Emily Evans along with football's Jake Lampman and Damonta Madden in addition to Olga Martinsone of the women's tennis program.
Jimmy Swears Courage Award Recipients
2015-16 - James Chappell (Men's Basketball)
2014-15 - Simon Denis (Men's Ice Hockey)
2013-14 - Will Huntington (Men's Tennis)
2012-13 - Kylie Muntz (Women's Basketball)
2011-12 - Kylie Muntz (Women's Basketball)
2010-11 - Natalie Diorio (Women's Tennis)
2009-10 - Richard Weisenberger (Men's Golf)
2008-09 - Aaron Lewicki (Men's Ice Hockey)
2007-08 - No recipient
2006-07 - Mark Bomersback (Men's Ice Hockey)