More than six months after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Penn State volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley announced on Instagram Monday night that she’s completed chemotherapy.
Schumacher-Cawley, who led Penn State to a national title while fighting her battle, completed six rounds of chemo and was all smiles when ringing the bell.
Pop the Champagne: Penn State Volleyball Wins 8th National Title
“Well, we did it,” Schumacher-Cawley wrote. “Six months rounds of chemo— done! Today I rang the bell, marking the end of this chapter. What a journey it has been. There truly are no words to express how deeply grateful I am for the unwavering support from every corner of my life.”
Schumacher-Cawley, 44, had many people she wanted to thank.
She started by thanking her family— husband Mike, daughters Stella, Nora, and Shea, as well as her mother.
“You wrapped me in love, strength, and resilience when [she] I needed it most,” she wrote.
Naturally, she also thanked her players— both past and present.
“Your energy, your humor, your presence every single day fueled me in ways you might never fully understand,” she wrote. “You have each left an impact, and for that, I am forever grateful. To my former players at (University of Illinois-Chicago) and UPenn, and my sister’s from PSU— your constant check-ins, heartfelt notes, thoughtful gifts, and unwavering support means more than you know. You remind me every day why I do what I do, and I’m beyond grateful for the thoughtful connections we’ve built.”
She also thanked Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft “and the entire staff for ensuring that I was always taken care of throughout the season.”
The State College community got behind Schumacher-Cawley and her team, and that wasn’t lost on the head coach.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“To the State College community and the entire Southside, St. Cajetan, Mother McAuley, The Andrew Weisher Foundation— your love, letters, texts, phone calls, and constant support remind me why this place is so special.”
Schumacher-Cawley has received support from plenty of big names throughout the process, including tennis legend Billie Jean King, Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck and South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley.
The @NCAAVolleyball National Championship on Sunday will make history, as both teams are coached by women for the first time ever.
The game will also make history because a woman will win as head coach for the first time since the NCAA tournament began in 1981.
Good luck to…
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) December 20, 2024
Thank you so much, Coach Fleck! You are a class act. Wishing you and your team nothing but the best as you prepare for bowl season-Much love💙🚣♀️ pic.twitter.com/peoS5X12VC
— Katie Schumacher-Cawley (@CoachKatiePSU) December 14, 2024
Afternoon everyone! Let’s give these women representing @NCAAVolleyball in an all female coached national championship….historical moment we are part of a bow! Dani busboom-Kelly @louisvillevb
Katie Schumacher-Cawley @pennstatevball you make us all proud! 🙏🏾❤️— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) December 20, 2024
“To those I have never met but who took the time to send letters and gifts— your words of encouragement have met more than you know.”
She also showed her gratitude to other members of the Penn State coaching staff for their support throughout the process.
Schumacher-Cawley continued her post in the comments section and thanked the doctors at the UPenn Medical Center who treated her.
“This journey has tested me in every way, but it has also shown me the depth of love, community, and resilience. From the bottom of my heart—thank you.”
The first female head coach to win an NCAA national title and became an national inspiration while doing so ended the post with a pair of hashtags: #neverstop and #fcancer
