“Bigger than us,” was Penn State volleyball’s motto going into 2024. No one embodied this ideal more profoundly than the Nittany Lion’s women’s Volleyball coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley. After getting diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in September, Schumacher-Cawley embraced her role even more firmly.

“I feel normal here at Rec Hall and I just want to keep going,” Schumacher-Cawley told ESPN in September. It was this passion to continue with her work and push Penn State toward glory that inspired many players, like Quinn Menger for instance. Menger revealed how, despite the challenges, the first woman to win the NCAA national title continued to look after her players.

“She’s a mom of three kids, three daughters. She has a huge family that all adore her, and she makes time for everybody in her life,” Menger told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The 44-year-old doesn’t seem to treat the Penn State girls any differently than her own daughters. In fact, it was Katie Schumacher-Cawley who wrote Menger’s recommendation letter for law school.

Quinn Menger recalled just how lucky she felt to have played under the 1999 BIG10 conference title winner. “She surrounds herself with the best staff to make everybody better, including herself… I really appreciate all the things she’s done for me,” said the Penn State senior. However, Nittany Lion’s setter is glad that not just the Penn State girls, but the entire world saw Schumacher-Cawley succeed.

“I’m so grateful that the world got to see just what an incredible woman she is,” added the defensive specialist. Speaking about how Penn State prepared in 2024, Menger revealed how, despite her challenges, the 44-year-old was solely focused on putting Nittany Lions volleyball back on the NCAA radar. In fact, Menger isn’t the only one who has praised the coach for inspiring them.

Beyond Coaching: How Katie Schumacher-Cawley Inspired a Team and a Community

As a member of the Penn State squad, it must be incredible for the athletes to see coach Cawley come into practice regularly with renewed energy despite undergoing cancer treatment. Looking at Katie turning personal battles into lessons of perseverance for her team, how can you not feel the roar down your spine? “Cancer or not… She still comes into that gym every day with the same fire and intensity,” middle blocker Taylor Trammell told ESPN.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley is also responsible for holding on harder even during times when things were on the verge of falling apart. The viewership record-breaking semifinal against Nebraska would be the perfect example. After losing two straight sets to Nebraska, the Nittany Lions looked lost. That’s when the former Penn State player-turned-coach stepped in.

Instead of dishing out a lengthy pep talk, the 1999 NCAA champion kept her message simple, yet deeply impactful. It was her words, and as Caroline Jurevicius put it, a ‘few deep breaths’, that powered Penn State’s reverse sweep victory.

Katie, never the one to take credit for her work, attributed her success and will to persevere to the people who helped her fight. “I’m so fortunate to be surrounded by so many great people from this team to the staff I have,” Katie Schumacher-Cawley said, as per CNN. “To say I’m proud of this team would be an understatement.” she also penned down an emotional tribute on social media. Share what you find most inspiring about Katie Schumacher-Cawley in the comments below.