As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on a story of resilience, leadership, and the quiet yet profound power of presence. This month, Penn State University's women's volleyball team clinched their 8th National Championship, led by Head Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. A former standout player for the Nittany Lions, Schumacher-Cawley became the first woman coach to win the NCAA Division I volleyball title—a historic achievement made even more extraordinary by her personal journey this season.

In September, just as her third season at the helm began, Schumacher-Cawley received a diagnosis that would shake anyone to their core: Stage 2 breast cancer. After several hospital visits and tests, she made her diagnosis public in October, asking for the focus to remain on her team and "the incredible things they do." With three daughters at home and a team of young women relying on her leadership, she embarked on treatment immediately, showing the world what true courage looks like.

Despite undergoing chemotherapy, she never missed a practice. She showed up daily in her black cap, steadfast in her commitment to her players and her mission. "I'm going to be healthy, and I will get through this—it's just part of my journey and my life right now," she said.

The Courage to Show Up

Schumacher-Cawley could have stepped away for the season. Her team and staff would have understood, and no one would have questioned her decision. But she never considered it. "Being around this team and the staff is when I feel most normal," she shared before the national semifinal. "For me, being at practice and in the gym with them makes it a whole lot easier."

Her unwavering presence is a lesson for us as leaders: Courage isn't about being unshaken—it's about showing up, even when life feels most uncertain. In leading her team through the season of a lifetime, Schumacher-Cawley demonstrated the essence of daring greatly and how the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead.

Finding Strength in the Little Things

Perhaps what's most inspiring about Schumacher-Cawley's journey is the perspective she's gained. When asked how her diagnosis has shaped her, she responded with wisdom we can carry into 2025:

"I think this has made me take a step back and really, really appreciate the little things. I always say that because I think sometimes life goes so fast and you don't really see the little things. I think it's just even the encounters or having coffee or just having that five-minute conversation with a player or a staff member or anyone, really, to actually just enjoy it and be present. I think that's the one thing I've said all season: Be where your feet are."

In a world that often celebrates the hustle and rewards constant movement, Schumacher-Cawley's reminder to slow down and savor the moment is a call to reconnect with what matters most. As leaders, our greatest impact often stems from these "little things"—a kind word, an attentive ear, or a genuine presence that makes others feel seen, heard, and valued.

Carrying the Lessons Forward

Coach Schumacher-Cawley's fight continues into 2025, with surgery scheduled for January. Her story isn't just about winning a championship; it's about the grace, grit, and gratitude she's embodied along the way.

As we look ahead to a new year, let her journey inspire us to lead with greater courage, cherish the small moments, and show up more presently for the people and missions that matter most. Whether we're guiding a team, coaching on the sidelines, steering an organization, teaching or parenting let us carry this mantra with us: Be where your feet are.

From all of us at The Daily Coach, we extend our heartfelt thoughts and healing energy to Coach Schumacher-Cawley, her family, and the Penn State program she has led back to the pinnacle of excellence.

May her unwavering strength, resilience, and perspective serve as a powerful reminder that adversity is not the final act—it is the beginning of something greater, something far bigger than ourselves.

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