ESPN to air documentary about Jim Valvano’s famous speech: ‘Don’t Give Up. Don’t Ever Give Up’
By Keith Farner
Published:
Jim Valvano, the former NC State coach and ESPN analyst, gave a memorable speech 30 years ago this year, and ESPN will honor that event through a featured documentary this week as it celebrates its annual ESPY awards.
The documentary will air Wednesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN ahead of The ESPYS, and again, on Saturday, July 15 at 2 p.m. ET on ABC. The documentary also will be on ESPN+ immediately after airing July 12.
The film, directed and produced by Murrow Award winner Michael O’Connor, shares the details of Valvano’s life that became encapsulated in one incredible moment of determination as his health failed, to deliver his message to the world and launch a foundation that continues working to achieve his final dream — find a cure for cancer.
To date, ESPN has helped the V Foundation raise more than $195 million for cancer research, which is more than half of the $310 million the V has granted to date.
Here is a full list of the people interviewed in the show:
Pam Valvano Strasser – Jim’s wife
Bob Valvano – Jim’s brother
Nick Valvano – Jim’s brother
Jamie Valvano – Jim’s daughter
Dereck Whittenburg – Member of Jim’s 1983 National Championship team
Bob Lloyd – Jim’s teammate at Rutgers University / former chairman of the V Foundation
Steve Binder – 1993 ESPYS Director
Dr. Joseph O. Moore – Jim’s oncologist
Mike Krzyzewski – Duke Men’s Basketball Coach 1980-2022 / Jim’s close friend
Joe Theismann – NFL Quarterback 1974-1985 / in the audience at the first ESPYs
Robin Roberts – Co-anchor, Good Morning America / ESPN Anchor 1990-2005 / 1993 ESPYS presenter
Chris Berman – ESPN Anchor / in the audience at the first ESPYS
Chris LaPlaca – ESPN Sr. VP Corporate Communications
Dick Vitale – ESPN Basketball Analyst / Jim’s close friend
Dr. Charles R. Rogers – V Foundation – Funded Researcher
George Bodenheimer – ESPN President, 1998-2012 / V Foundation Board Member
Steve Bornstein – ESPN President & CEO 1990-1999
John Lack – ESPN Executive VP Marketing and Programming 1992-1995
John Walsh – ESPN Executive Vice President 1990-2015
Rosa Gatti – ESPN Sr. VP Corporate Communications 1988-2013
Vince Doria – ESPN Sr. VP & Director of News 1992-2015
The original speech, “Don’t Give Up. Don’t Ever Give Up,” was given at the first ESPYS Awards in March 1993 inside Madison Square Garden’s Paramount Theatre.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
