OSU's Van Zant to be presented with Giant Steps Award
Friday, April 11, 2008
Shares words of encouragement during recent Helen Keller Lecture keynote address
In conjunction with National STUDENT‐Athlete Day the NCAS awards National Giant Steps Awards honoring individuals who exemplify the meaning of the day by using sport as a vehicle for positive social change, bring awareness to social issues, and who help student‐athletes have a balance between academics and sports. Nominees are made in the categories of Civic Leaders, Parents, Teachers, Courageous Student‐Athletes, Coaches and more. Each year award winners are announced in early April.
The 2008 Giant Steps Award winners include: Civic Leader Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns; Courageous Student‐Athletes Martel Van Zant, Oklahoma State University, and Katie Holloway, California State University Northridge; Coach Joe Ehrman, Former NFL star and current Football Coach, Gilman School; Community Organization, The Travis Roy Foundation; Barrier Breaker Shamila Kohestani, Blair Academy; and a “Hero Amongst Us” Jon “Blazeman” Blais (posthumously), Ironman and ALS Warrior.
Recently VanZant spoke at Troy Univeristy at the 13th annual Helen Keller Lecture. His message: teamwork, attitude and leadership are cornerstones to overcoming adversity.
“The three lessons in life I feel are important are teamwork, a good attitude, and leadership,” VanZant said.
On and off the field, VanZant, who is deaf and speaks with the aid of a sign language interpreter, said it was important to continually stress those points – especially displaying a good attitude.
“A good attitude reflects yourself on others,” VanZant said. “If you have a good attitude toward someone, they will continue with that attitude toward others.”
He also told attendees that many disabled athletes don’t get the recognition they deserve and a main focus for him was “tying together the disabled” with mainstream habits in athletics and society.
“Whatever challenges you face, look to those who have inspired you because you may inspire someone else,” VanZant said.
The Helen Keller lecture is designed to promote awareness of people who excel in their chosen fields despite physical and/or mental limitations.
Van Zant earned numerous awards for his work in the community during his career at
OSU. He has also won many prestigious awards for his academic and athletic accomplishments
including the OSU Academic Achievement Award, Big 12 Honor Roll and the Big 12/Chick‐fil‐A
“Community of Champions” Award for his outstanding work in academics, athletics, sportsmanship,
and community service.
He has become a mentor to a local elementary school student who is also deaf. Both
of them have inspired the young students at his school to learn American Sign Language.
On the field, Van Zant was a key member of the Oklahoma State defense and helped the Cowboys to bowl appearances in three of his four seasons.