As Winston-Salem State College prepares to have a good time its 2025 graduates, one HBCU student-athlete is reminding the world that a few of the most necessary folks in your school journey don’t stand on the podium — they stand by your aspect when it issues most.
Nia James, a senior on the WSSU volleyball crew, shared an emotional story of survival and gratitude directed at John Lavender, the college’s longtime athletic coach. In a touching social media publish, she credited Lavender with saving her life following a near-fatal well being scare in October 2022.
After tearing almost each ligament in her knee throughout volleyball season, James was later recognized with blood clots in her leg. One evening, she skilled hours of extreme chest ache. Lavender urged her to go to the emergency room — and when medical doctors initially tried to ship her dwelling, he demanded a CT scan. That check revealed life-threatening blood clots in all 5 lobes of her lungs.
Together with her household hours away, Lavender stayed together with her by the evening.
“With out the persistence, care, and data of John and the superb @wssu_at workers, I’d not be right here making ready to stroll the stage in 10 days,” James wrote. “Your impression is bigger than you understand.”
Lavender, a graduate of Elon College, has served Winston-Salem State since January 2013. In his function as Assistant Athletic Director for Sports activities Drugs, he has change into a trusted determine for generations of student-athletes, providing not simply bodily care, however private help and advocacy.
“Individuals at all times ask why I obtained into this occupation. It is a good instance of my why,” Lavender wrote on X. “Now we have a tremendous AT workers at WSSU. I inform all our recruits/dad and mom when their little one involves WSSU they change into my little one. I like my children. I like my job.” ?
James’ story is a strong instance of the close-knit, life-changing neighborhood discovered at her HBCU and so many others.
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