Value Speak By Joseph Walker

Courage – and sportsmanship – on the line The one thing Cory could always do on a basketball court was shoot free throws. Even after rehabilitating from the stroke he suffered late in his freshman year at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, he could still drain free throws. A 5'11 point guard who scored more than 1,000 points in his high school playing career, shooting the basketball came naturally to him. After shooting literally thousands of free throws during his life-long love affair with the sport, he had his free throw shooting routine down pat. Look at the basket. Dribble three times. Deep breath. Bend knees. Up and shoot. Swish! Most of the time, anyway. But this time – this last time as a senior and captain of the Gettysburg Bullets – was different. His journey to the free throw line this time had required three years of exhaustive rehabilitation work on his part and a remarkable display of sportsmanship on the part of the opposing team's coach. And he admits it: he was feeling the pressure. Which is completely understandable. This was the first time he had actually participated in a game since he had a stroke right at the end of his freshman season at Gettysburg. Through three years of therapy and rehabilitation, he had tirelessly worked his way back to being able to walk with crutches, to being able to walk on his own, to jogging, to being able to run – sort of. As soon as he could he returned to practice, first to just shout encouragement from the sidelines, and then, when he could, to run plays with the scout team. He was experiencing a remarkable recovery, just to come as far as he had in just three years. But for Cory, it wasn't enough. He wanted to get back on the court and play in a real game. As his senior year started, his coach allowed him to dress and warm up with the team. Although Cory had come a long way in his rehabilitation, he still wasn't at a place where the coach dared to put him out on the floor with college athletes. His coach hoped to put him in to shoot a technical free throw or something like that, but the opportunity never presented itself. Finally, during Gettysburg's final home game of the season – Senior Night for Cory and the other seniors on the team – Cory's coach concocted a plan, along with the coach of the opposing team. Cory would start the game. Then whichever team won the opening tip, they would throw the ball to the opposing team, who would throw the ball out of bounds, stopping the game and giving Cory's coach a chance to take Cory out of the game. For Cory, it was enough. To hear his name announced with the other starters, to run out on the floor with them and to hear the loud, supportive cheers of the Gettysburg fans, most of whom were aware of his situation...well, it was a dream come true. He returned to the bench to hearty applause from the crowd, and the game went on. And that, Cory thought with peaceful contentment, was that. Only it wasn't. With about two minutes left in the game, Gettysburg was up by 18 points and the coach asked Cory if he wanted to get back in the game. Dumb question. Of COURSE Cory wanted to go back in. He wasn't able to do a lot, but he did the best he could, and it was clear he would be on the floor when Gettysburg celebrated a victory on Senior Night. Then things turned unusual. The opposing coach called a time out and had an animated discussion with his team. He signaled to Cory's coach to get the ball to Cory. As the final seconds ticked off for his final home game, Cory received the ball and was immediately fouled. Which is why he was standing there at the free throw line for two free throws. He admitted after the game that he was nervous on the first one. "All I was thinking was, 'Don't miss this!'" he said. He rushed the shot, and he missed. The disappointment in the crowd was palpable. They hushed for his second shot. Cory returned to his routine that he had practiced so many times throughout years of playing competitive basketball. Look at the basket. Dribble three times. Deep breath. Bend knees. Up and shoot. Swish. Nobody who was in the gym that night will long remember which team won the game. What they will remember is the classy sportsmanship of two coaches, and the extraordinary courage of a young man who, through it all, can still shoot free throws.