Sept. 15, 2008

CAPE COD, Mass. - Rhode Island gymnast Casey Pereira '08 was one of four Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) athletes to receive the ECAC Award of Valor, announced today by ECAC commissioner Rudy Keeling.

Established in 1985, the ECAC Award of Valor honors ECAC athletes whose courage, motivation, and relentless determination serves as an inspiration to all. The recipients exemplify strength of character and perseverance deserving recognition as being truly triumphant.

A gymnast at URI, Pereira was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma three days before practice her sophomore season. It took less than 24 hours for her to decide she would not only remain with the Rams, but attend every meet. Sometimes sick, bald, and nauseous, Pereira still made it to every meet during the 2006 season - still proud to call herself a part of the team.

After attending every URI meet and waking up at 5:00 a.m. every Wednesday for seven-hour sessions of chemotherapy, blood work, and CAT scans in Boston, Pereira returned to the mats for the start of her junior season. So weakened from her treatments, the once strong Pereira was unable to do a push up or run around the block without getting winded, but she managed to work herself back into shape through grueling workouts and went on to earn ECAC Specialist of the Year honors.

As a freshman, Pereira had helped the Rams to a second place finish at the ECACs, and as a junior she helped URI to a third place showing at the ECAC Championship. This past season, she was a key member of the Rams' second-place squad at the ECAC Championship.

This year's other winners are Liz Mancuso (Dartmouth College), Conor Reardon (Brown University) and Dave Taraschi (Rutgers-Camden). Each of the four recipients will receive their awards on Sunday, September 28, at the ECAC Convention Honors Dinner at the Albany Crowne Plaza.