Tim Rohr: Fandom, a Speech, and Making a Difference
How a lifelong Houston Cougars fan joined Jim Valvano’s team
You’ve probably seen the video. A young coach running around the court looking for someone to hug after leading his NC State Wolfpack to defeat the Houston Cougars in the 1983 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship. An unforgettable Jim Valvano moment of pure jubilee.
But not everyone enjoyed that specific moment.
Tim Rohr graduated from the University of Houston in 1986 and has been a lifelong fan of the Cougars. He remembers watching that game and the disappointment that followed.
“I can’t say that I was a big fan of Jim Valvano in the 80s, 1983 was rough,” Tim said. “He did a great job, though. He outcoached us, and the team outplayed us. It was very tough to take.”
That’s the reality of sports. You like who is on your team and don’t like the other team. Your competitive drive and allegiance to a team forms your allies, and your foes. And then you move on to the next season, and a bit of you forgets about it.
“And then, I didn’t really think too much about him after that, to tell you the truth,” Tim continued. “Anytime his name came up, I just sort of ignored it and didn’t really pay any attention to it.”
Fast forward 10 years. A lot had changed.
In 1993, Jim Valvano, now moved on from his coaching career and diagnosed with cancer, was honored at the inaugural ESPY Awards Show. He was sick but determined to get on the stage and share words. Ultimately, he delivered a legendary speech that encouraged all of us to “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”® and announced the founding of the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
“I remember him running on the court with his arms going crazy and everything. Then seeing him at the beginning of that speech being helped up to the podium by Dick Vitale, that really shocked me.”
“To hear his speech, he didn’t talk about himself. It was all about living in the moment and never giving up. And then putting the last time he had on earth to going and starting the V Foundation, that was unbelievable.”
Jim Valvano’s speech became even more personal to Tim when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer 28 years later.
It was a difficult journey. First, immunotherapy. Then, chemotherapy. Then, neobladder surgery, a more intense procedure where his bladder was removed and rebuilt with a piece of his small intestine.
“Surgery was pretty tough, but I got through it. Now, it’s been three years cancer free,” Tim said. “I’m pretty active, I walk a lot and play tennis. My wife and I love traveling and we’ve been able to go on some great trips. I do a lot of things that I’ve always loved to do. I’m very blessed.”
Tim’s innovative treatment options are a testament to advancements in cancer research.
“I don’t know if the V Foundation played a direct part in my diagnosis and how they treat it. But it’s that type of research and that type of giving to do that type of research that makes a huge difference. The effect of what they’re able to do for me is just incredible. It seemed like a good opportunity for me; I’m in a spot where I can help out and I’m proud to be a donor for the V Foundation.”
Since that day in 1993, the V Foundation has funded nearly $400 million in game-changing cancer research, dedicated to saving lives. V Foundation-funded researchers are the best of the best and have made a proven positive impact over time.
“I’m still touched every time I go back periodically and see the speech. What a truly great man and great foundation. The fact that all the money donated goes directly to research is unbelievable.”
One-time foes in the 1983 NCAA Championship, Tim and Jim are on the same team striving for a new championship: Victory Over Cancer®.
