Northern State University men’s basketball coach Don Meyer has been presented with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Actor Rob Lowe presented Meyer with the national award Wednesday night during taping of the annual ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. The awards program will air Sunday on ESPN. Meyer is the third recipient of the Jimmy V Award, which is given to a member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through physical determination and perseverance.

Meyer lost part of his leg and battled cancer after surviving a near-fatal car accident. He was driving a car that collided with a truck last September. In January, Meyer set a national record for career coaching wins in NCAA men’s basketball. In his acceptance speech, Meyer said he thinks a cure eventually will be found for cancer.

Life:

Don Meyer (born December 16, 1944) is an American college basketball coach. He is currently the head coach of the men’s team at Northern State University. He previously was head coach at Hamline University and Lipscomb University.

As of January 10, 2009, he is currently first place all-time on the NCAA men’s basketball coaches win list with 903 wins in his career. He trails NAIA men’s coach Harry Statham and Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball coach Pat Summitt in career wins.