March 13, 2008

CHARLOTTE, NC - The 2008 recipient of the "Bob Bradley Spirit & Courage Award," presented by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA), is Matt Zitani of Florida State University.

Zitani (zih-TAH-nee), a 6'7 graduate student forward from Port St. Lucie, FL, will receive the award prior to the Seminoles' ACC Tournament opener against Wake Forest on Thursday (March 13).

The Bradley Award, named in honor of the late Clemson University sports information director who passed away in 2000 after a three-year battle with bone cancer, was established in conjunction with the ACC in 2006. It is awarded annually to a male or female basketball player, coach or team administrator who has overcome significant injury, illness or adversity in life to become a valuable contributor to his/her program and university.

In October 2003 while a student at Indian River Community College, Zitani underwent surgery to have a tumor removed from his brain. He was told at the time that his athletic career was likely over.

But Zitani refused to accept that prognosis. He returned to the classroom two months sooner than expected and eventually earned a spot on the Seminole basketball squad as a walk-on after transferring to Florida State. This year Coach Leonard Hamilton awarded him a scholarship for his efforts and contributions to the FSU program.

"From a medical standpoint, he's a miracle," Hamilton says. "It shows you a little about his determination and his fight."

This season Zitani has appeared in 23 of 31 Seminole contests, starting five times, and was recently named to the 2008 All-ACC Academic team. He has already earned his undergraduate degree in business management and is now pursuing a master's in sport management.

Previous recipients of the "Bob Bradley Spirit & Courage Award" are Tony Bethel of NC State in 2006, and coaches Debbie Ryan of Virginia and Kay Yow of NC State in 2007.

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BOB BRADLEY
Bob Bradley served as sports information director at Clemson from 1955-1989 and continued as a media relations representative for the Tigers until his death. He worked 502 straight Clemson football games (home & away) until having that streak ended on October 21, 2000, nine days before he passed away. He also worked 313 consecutive ACC Tournament games during his career. The Memorial Stadium pressbox at Clemson is named in his honor and he is a member of the Clemson and state of South Carolina athletic halls of fame. Throughout his three-year battle with bone cancer, which included more than 100 radiation treatments, he remained a fixture at Clemson events, representing the Tigers in his own unique style. His service to the ACC and the media who covered the conference during his lifetime will forever be appreciated.