About the Award

About the Award

2022 Courage Award winner Maya Austerman was first thought to have exercise-induced asthma when she started complaining of shortness of breath while playing basketball. She presented with the classic symptoms: shortness of breath, chest and throat tightness, wheezing, feeling as if she was breathing through a straw, and difficulty inhaling. That last symptom had her seeing a voice specialist. She was diagnosed with Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (ELIO).

Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Courage Award is an honor given annually by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards banquet each January.

It is awarded to a student athlete who has faced a medical challenge in his or her life and approached the situation with courage and determination to get back into the game.

2023 Courage Award

If you know a student athlete who has overcome a medical challenge in his or her life and would like to submit them for the 2023 Courage Award nominate them today.

Nominate a Student Athlete

Nominate a Student Athlete

Submissions must be received by Friday, September 22.

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