INDIANAPOLIS – Cameron Lyle, a recent graduate of the University of New Hampshire men’s track and field team, earned the 2013 NCAA Award of Valor on Wednesday afternoon. The winner of the America East Award of Valor, he will be honored at the annual NCAA Honors Celebration on January 17, 2014 in San Diego, Calif.

A four-year track and field athlete for the Wildcats, Lyle made the decision to forgo the remainder of his senior season as well as his throwing career in order to donate bone marrow to save the life of an anonymous recipient battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The decision came just weeks before the Penn Relays, the America East Conference Championships and the IC4A Championships.

After receiving the distinction from the America East conference, Lyle’s act was sent to the NCAA as a nominee for the NCAA Award of Valor, an honor that has only been bestowed 15 times since 1974.

The NCAA Award of Valor may be presented to a coach or administrator currently associated with intercollegiate athletics, or to a current or former varsity letterwinner at an NCAA institution who, when confronted with a situation involving personal danger, averted or minimized potential disaster by courageous action or noteworthy bravery.

Courtesy: UNH Athletic Communications