Jim Valvano, also known as “Jimmy V,” was a famous basketball coach and broadcaster. He was married to his wife Pamela Valvano Strasser and had three children.
The legendary coach led the North Carolina State Wolfpack to a memorable NCAA Championship in 1983.
However, his life was tragically cut short after being diagnosed with cancer in 1992. Regardless of his hardship, he inspired many with his courage.
Highlights
- Jim Valvano was married to Pamela Valvano Strasser, a high school sweetheart, on 6 August 1967.
- They had three daughters together: Nicole, Jamie, and LeeAnn. All of them have grown up and are living their lives independently.
- The late coach’s middle child, Jamie, was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 33 years old. She is cancer-free now.
In 1993, the late coach gave a remarkable speech at the ESPY Awards, urging everyone to “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
He also announced the establishment of V Foundation during the same speech.
His words and spirit led to the creation of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which has raised millions of dollars to fight cancer.
Each year, events like the Jimmy V Classic, a college basketball doubleheader, celebrate his life and help raise funds for cancer research.
This year, the event will take place on Tuesday, 10 December 2024, at Madison Square Garden. It will feature matchups between the Miami Hurricanes vs. Tennessee Volunteers and the Michigan Wolverines vs. Arkansas Razorbacks.
Jim Valvano’s Wife Pamela Serves As The Chairwoman Of V Foundation
Pamela Valvano Strasser was the wife of the legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano.
The couple is reportedly high school sweethearts. They tied the knot on 6 August 1967, after Jim graduated from Rutgers University.
The Valvano couple were married from 1967 until the coach’s untimely passing in 1993 (26 years). They built their home together in North Carolina.
During their two decades of marital life, Jim and Pam welcomed three daughters: Nicole, Jamie, and LeeAnn.
Nicole is the eldest, Jamie is the middle one, and LeeAnn is the youngest of the Valvano sisters.
According to the V foundation’s website, the late coach’s spouse currently serves as its Chairwoman.
She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic.
Pam has dedicated her entire life to the V Foundation for Cancer Research and has been a strong supporter of its mission.
The foundation has raised “over $350 million dollars to help people battling this dreaded disease.”
Pam has shared that winning the national championship was one of Jim’s big dreams. She was very happy that he got to live that dream.
She said many coaches dream of winning, but few get the chance.
The late basketball coach’s wife also expressed that Jim was proud of two things: the championship and starting the V Foundation.
She believes the Foundation’s work over the last 30 years is the most important thing.
“Sometimes, I think of the two things that Jim was able to be proud of in his life. The championship, and the establishment of the V Foundation. But what has happened with the Foundation over the past 30 years is the strongest thing I can think of.”
Pamela Valvano Strasser
Mrs. Valvano thinks the Foundation will always be remembered as a strong part of Jim’s life. To her, making a positive difference in many people’s lives is the best thing anyone can do.
Pamela remarried John Strasser and her new name is Pamela Valvano Strasser.
Jim Valvano’s Daughter Jamie Survived Breast Cancer
While announcing the creation of “V Foundation” at the 1993 ESPY Awards, which became his last public appearance, Coach Jimmy said:
“We are starting The V Foundation for Cancer Research. It may not save my life, it may save my children’s lives. It may save someone you love.”
Jimmy V
Jimmy V had no way of knowing that his middle daughter, Jamie Valvano, would one day be diagnosed with cancer. She became someone that he loved and saved.
Jamie, who was born in the early 1970s, was diagnosed with breast cancer when he was 33 year-old.
Within a week of her first symptoms, she said a radiologist performed an ultrasound that led to a biopsy that ultimately ended with her breast cancer diagnosis.
Detailing her cancer journey, Jamie revealed that after her diagnosis the late coach’s oncologist, Dr. Joe Moore, made an appointment with Dr. Paul Kelly Marcom at Duke Cancer Center.
Her father’s medical history and her age led her doctor to perform genetic testing. They discovered the BRCA2 gene that Coach V unknowingly carried and passed on to his daughter.
Jamie deeply felt the absence of the person she needed most (her dad) to guide her through her cancer journey.
She yearned to hear him recite verses from his favorite poems to lift her spirits.
“I longed to hear him recite a verse or two from his favorite poem in order to lift me from my sadness.”
Jamie Valvano
Jamie disclosed that as of August 2024, she would be a 19-year cancer survivor.
She added,
I am alive today because of cancer research. A day does not go by that I don’t thank my Dad for having the dream to establish the V Foundation for Cancer Research,”
Additional Information
- Jim Valvano was a close friend of both Dick Vitale and Mike Krzyzewski.
- Jim was the middle child of his parents, Rocco and Angelina Valvano. The Valvano family is of Italian descent.
- In high school, Valvano was a three-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball.
. Pam later remarried John Strasser.){kind=link}