Asjia O’Neal, a redshirt-sophomore volleyball player from the University of Texas, is named the Class of 2021 Honda Inspiration Award winner as announced by Chris Voelz of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda (CWSA).

The Honda Inspiration Award is given to a deserving female student-athlete in Division I, II or III who has experienced extraordinary physical and/or emotional adversity, injury and/or illness, or experienced extraordinary personal sacrifice during her college enrollment as a student-athlete and yet returns to athletic success.

O’Neal was chosen as the winner by the CWSA Board of Directors and the three finalists were chosen by the CWSA Inspiration Award committee. The finalists included Camryn Hidalgo (Georgia Tech) and Didi Richards (Baylor). All three were featured on a special broadcast Defying the Odds: The 2020 and 2021 Honda Inspiration Award which aired tonight at 8 pm EST on CBS Sports Network.  The special will re-air on CBS Sports Network tonight at 11:00 pm EST, 12:30 am EST, June 24th at 6:30 pm EST and June 28th 8:30 EST leading into the Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda broadcast.  

“When student athletes overcome adversity as our finalists and winner did this year it gives all of us more strength and hope," stated Voelz. “It is an honor to be able to recognize Asjia O’Neal as the Honda Inspiration Winner for the Class of 2021, especially in a year when most student-athletes faced difficulties and  misfortunes,  given the world wide pandemic. Though Asjia stands 6’3” tall, overcoming her adversity has given us far more reason to look up to her.  We commend her courage and her attitude.”

An Inspiration Award winner has been selected annually for the past 33 years and O'Neal will be featured on the broadcast of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda on June 28, 2021, at 9 pm EST, which culminates in the announcement of the Honda Cup winner as the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. 

O’Neal’s journey began when she was born with a heart murmur and a slight leak in her mitral valve and endured her first surgery when she was just 12 years old in 2013. She underwent her second open heart surgery in January 2020 as a result of the mitral valve leak.

O’Neal received the news that she would need a second surgery in November 2019, while the Texas Volleyball team was closing out a Big 12 Co-Championship season. She helped the Longhorns earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team and completed the season knowing she would have surgery in January.

From the first moments post-op, O’Neal was intensely focused on each step of her recovery. Starting with simply sitting up in her hospital bed, to taking her first steps around her room and then taking laps around the hospital floor, she was motivated to improve every day. The surgery, which lasted more than eight hours, was successful and there was no more leakage.

"The wonder of the fierce determination, amazing fortitude and emotional toughness of the Honda Inspiration Award nominees continues to impress beyond belief,” said Jean Lenti Ponsetto, Chair of the CWSA Board of Directors. “This year’s recipient Asjia O’Neal’s remarkable journey tells the story of her incredible courage, dedication and perseverance in overcoming the adversity of her circumstances in navigating a lifelong heart condition and surgery so she could continue to participate in sport she loves and contribute to her team’s success.”

The CWSA, celebrating its 45th anniversary year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs. 

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on improving children’s health, inspiring underrepresented students, preserving the environment for future generations, creating safety for everyone, and strengthening our communities. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.