Ncaa Honors Hawaii Kicker With Its Award Of Valor

One of the NCAA’s most prestigious awards will be presented posthumously Sunday to Shannon Smith of the University of Hawaii.

During an outing on the island of Kauai last March, Smith died while saving the life of Cody vonAppen, the 6-year-old son of Hawaii football coach Fred vonAppen.

Smith and the child went down a slide together, but once in the water, the two were caught in a whirlpool.

Smith held the boy up to keep him from going under again. He was able to push Cody to his mother, who was able to pass the young boy along to his father and others until he was safely on shore.

The Award of Valor is presented to a coach or administrator or to a current or former athlete who, when confronted with a situation involving personal danger, averted or minimized potential disaster by courageous action or noteworthy bravery.

It will mark only the seventh time for the NCAA to present the award and the first time since 1984.

The Award of Valor presentation will be made Jan. 11 at the annual NCAA Honors Dinner in Atlanta.