Vermont's Josh Speidel Honored with America East Inspiration Award
BOSTON – When Josh Speidel suffered life-threatening injuries in a car accident five years ago, those closest to him wondered, would he survive? What would his quality of life be going forward? Fast forward to present day and Speidel is a graduate of the University of Vermont having been a member of the basketball team for the past four years, inspiring everyone he encountered along the way with his positive attitude and perseverance.
As a result, Speidel is being honored as just the second-ever recipient of the America East Inspiration Award, the conference office announced on Wednesday morning.
The America East Inspiration Award is mirrored after the NCAA Inspiration Award, which is selectively bestowed to someone currently or formerly within intercollegiate athletes who, when confronted with a life-altering situation used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome the event and now serves as a role model to give hope and inspiration to others in similar situations.
“Congratulations to Josh on this most-deserving honor,” said America East Commissioner, Amy Huchthausen. “He is such an impressive young man and is the epitome of hard work, perseverance and determination. He did not let a tragic event curtail his dream of being a Division I student-athlete and has helped his class become the winningest in Vermont history while earning over a 3.0 GPA in the classroom. It was an easy decision to award Josh the Inspiration Award.”
“I thank the conference and Vermont for this recognition,” said Speidel. “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for everyone at UVM and all they have done for me. If I can be any source of inspiration, as my teammates have inspired me, then I’m happy to keep doing this.”
Speidel graduated with a bachelor's degree in education through an individually-designed major. He also completed minors in behavioral change and coaching. He finished his time at Vermont with a 3.37 grade point average.
In February of 2015, Speidel was involved in a devastating car crash during his senior year at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Indiana. The crash left him with a traumatic brain injury, and the doctors told his family he would live in a vegetative state for the rest of his life. Prior to the accident, Josh was one of the top high school basketball players in the state of Indiana.
After a five-year journey of recovery, Speidel got to live his dream of playing in a college basketball game on March 3. Thanks to an agreement between UVM and UAlbany, he was introduced in the starting lineup and scored Vermont's first basketball of the game. Following the inspirational moment, Speidel's story was featured by countless media outlets including ESPN College GameDay, the CBS Evening News, the Today Show, The Athletic, CNN, and The New York Times. The league also honored Speidel with an All-Championship Team nod at the conclusion of the season.
Speidel joins 2018 America East Inspiration Award honoree Noelle Lambert, a former UMass Lowell women’s lacrosse student-athlete who lost her leg in a moped accident yet returned to action, as the conference’s only award recipients.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
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