CLEVELAND - As student-athlete development professionals, who work with students from all walks of life on a day-to-day basis, we often encounter extraordinary stories of individuals overcoming extreme adversities. Although the odds may be stacked against them, these individuals have a drive to succeed in the face of overwhelming challenges. It is working with these outstanding young people that makes the job of a student-athlete development professional so rewarding.

In an effort to recognize and celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of these individuals, the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) will highlight one or more student-athletes each month for their determination to achieve success regardless of personal, academic and emotional challenges.

N4A is honored to recognize Virginia Tech track star Sarah Edwards, as August's Student-Athlete of the Month.
 
Sarah Edwards
Sarah was 14 years old and entering her first day of high school when she received the news that she had been diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma, which is a cancerous brain tumor. Six years later and after a successful surgery, she is still living with the side effects. As a track student-athlete at Virginia Tech, she did not want to let what happened in the past define her future. She was determined to be the best student-athlete she could be. Sarah does still experience seizures that can affect her school work but through hard work and taking advantage of every resource available to her she has earned above a 3.00 semester GPA every semester she has been at Virginia Tech. On the track, she did not let her symptoms get in the way of being successful. During her freshmen year, she shattered the school's record for the 3,000 meter steeplechase and won the ACC Championship.  While she still faces challenges academically and physically, the adversity she has overcome drives her to continue to succeed on and off  the track.

About N4A: N4A, which has been in existence since 1975, is a diverse educational service and professional non-profit organization. Membership of N4A includes academic support and student services personnel who are committed to enhancing opportunities for academic, athletics and personal success for student-athletes. For more information on N4A, visit www.nfoura.org. N4A is administered by NACDA, which is in its 55^th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.