Washington basketball team and coach honored for role in Cory Weissman story

Washington College announced on November 16 that its mens' basketball team and Coach Rob Nugent will be honored at the 2012 National Sportsmanship Awards for their role in the inspirational story of Cory Weissman, a Gettysburg College basketball player who suffered a stroke as a freshman only to return to score his lone collegiate point in his final home game last season.

From Washinton College Athletics:

The Washington College men's basketball team and head coach Rob Nugent will be honored at tomorrow night's 2012 National Sportsmanship Awards, produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission, in a ceremony at the Edward Jones St. Louis Headquarters. Former Shoremen basketball student-athletes Sal Schittino '12 and Adam Naymick '12 will accept the award on behalf of the Shoremen and Coach Nugent.

The Shoremen and Coach Nugent are being recognized for their role in the inspirational story of Cory Weissman, a Gettysburg College basketball player who suffered a stroke as a freshman only to return to score his lone collegiate point in his final home game last season.

On February 12th, 2012, the Shoremen were playing at Gettysburg College during the Bullets' Senior Day. While Weissman had worked hard to return to the court in the years following his stroke and remained a part of the team, he had not been cleared for full contact. Nugent and Gettysburg head coach George Petrie devised a plan to start Weissman on Senior Day. He was announced as a starter before the game, to loud applause from all fans and from both team benches. Immediately after Washington won the opening tip, Kevin Breslin '12 - then a senior on the Shoremen's squad - handed Weissman the ball. Weissman promptly rolled the ball out of bounds and was subbed out of the game to another round of applause.

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