GREENSBORO, N.C. – Syracuse University senior guard Tiana Mangakahia is the recipient of the 16th annual Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award from the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA) and the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Mangakahia sat out the entire 2019-20 season while recovering from breast cancer surgery, but returned this season to help the lead the Orange to a tie for fourth place in the final ACC regular-season standings. The Brisbane, Australia native led the ACC with 7.5 assists per game and is sixth in the league in free throw shooting at 84.2 percent.
After helping lead the Orange to the NCAA Tournament in both her sophomore and junior seasons, Mangakahia learned of her cancer diagnosis in June of 2019. She underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy, but in November of 2019, she was declared “cancer free.”
“Tiana’s fight, positivity and her will to compete are unmatched. She had every reason to give up, but she refused,” said Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman. “She is very deserving of this recognition.”
The Bradley Award will be presented to Mangakahia on Thursday prior to the Orange’s 2:30 p.m. ACC Women’s Tournament second-round game versus Boston College at Greensboro Coliseum.
A joint venture of the ACC and ACSMA, the Bradley Award is given annually in memory of Bob Bradley, the Hall of Fame sports information director at Clemson University whose positive attitude inspired all who knew him as he battled cancer. The distinction goes to an ACC student-athlete, coach, administrator or other personnel in men’s or women’s basketball who has overcome significant hardship to contribute to his or her team, or society as a whole.
The Marvin “Skeeter” Francis Award, awarded by ACSMA in recognition of distinguished service to or coverage of the Atlantic Coast Conference, will not be presented in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The planned presentation of the 2020 award to retired sports journalist Dan Collins and the late broadcaster Mike Hogewood during last year’s New York Life ACC Tournament was also curtailed by the pandemic. The award was presented to Collins and Hogewood’s family in private ceremonies earlier this year.
BOB BRADLEY AWARD RECIPIENTS
2021
Tiana Mangakahia, Syracuse
2020 Howard Washington, Syracuse
2019 Ty Outlaw, Virginia Tech
2018 Woody Durham, North Carolina
2017 The Capel Family, Duke, UNC, Wake Forest
2016 Rob Moxley, North Carolina State
2015 Sylvia Hatchell, North Carolina
2014 Jim Weaver, Virginia Tech
2013 Dick Kelley, Boston College
2012 Bernard James, Florida State
2011 Jessica Breland, North Carolina
2010 D’Andre Bell, Georgia Tech
2009 Adrian Thomas, Miami
2008 Matt Zitani, Florida State
2007 Debbie Ryan, Virginia; Kay Yow, NC State
2006 Tony Bethel, NC State