But the story doesn't stop there. In June of 1999, she took her older girl's soccer team to the Women's World Cup Soccer Games in Chicago. She plans pot-lucks and sleep overs and makes sure every parent has a role to play in their child's activity. She boosts the team's morale and camaraderie, and exemplifies the true spirit of a sport. The Courage Award is presented to a woman who overcame challenges, returned from an injury or a threatening illness to participate in sports.
Bravery is the courage to walk where others fear to go.
Courage is the heroic act of facing danger over a period of time without recoiling, and heroism is the innate spirit needed to face death on its own battleground. In our eyes, Megan Hertzel, daughter of Dan and Katy Hertzel, is a heroine who has been selected to receive the Courage Award. Her determination and persistence to work through extensive physical therapy, academic challenges and a change in lifestyle has helped her to overcome the hardships associated with a severe head injury. Megan has shown a love for sports since her elementary school days. Since sixth grade at St. John's Catholic School, Megan played basketball feverishly.