Spriggs nominated for Comeback Player of the Year

ORANGE, Calif. – Chapman University senior Hunter Spriggs has been announced as one of 30 nominees nationwide for the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year. Spriggs returned to the field on Oct. 19 at Occidental after a two-year battle with leukemia.

Ten times during the 2019 college football season, three inspiring student-athletes from all levels of college football, who have overcome injury, illness or other challenges, will be recognized as Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Nominees by a panel of writers, editors and sports information directors from CoSIDA, AP and Touchdown Illustrated. CoSIDA members can nominate student-athletes at Comeback-Player.com.

Before the start of his junior year, Spriggs was first diagnosed with leukemia. After several months of chemotherapy, he was back with the team for spring ball and in the weight room. As the 2018 season approached, Spriggs symptoms returned and he was told that the cancer had returned.

The six-foot-three lineman needed to undergo a more aggressive treatment and checked into the hospital for a bone marrow transplant. Less than a year later, Spriggs was back with the team and in the weight room preparing for the 2019 season. On Oct. 19, he made his return to the field at right tackle in a 56-23 win over Occidental.

"We understand how challenging it can be for student-athletes to return from injury or illness," says Dr. Michael Stuart, co-director for Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine. "We are honored to be part of this award that recognizes qualities like motivation, determination and perseverance."

At the end of the season, three of the nominees will be chosen as Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award winners and will be recognized at a special ceremony during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Additionally, $30,000 will be donated in the names of the nine student-athletes selected as finalists to their school's general scholarship fund, with $15,000 being awarded in the names of the three winners and $15,000 on behalf of the six named honorable mention.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director
Portions taken from CoSIDA release

Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports
Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports