“Today, I rang the bell, symbolizing the close of this chapter. I can’t fully express how profoundly thankful I am for the constant support I’ve received from every part of my life.”
Katie Schumacher-Cawley, who led Penn State to an NCAA women’s volleyball championship while undergoing breast cancer treatment, has achieved another personal milestone. On February 10, she announced she had completed six rounds of chemotherapy, expressing her deep gratitude for the “unwavering support from every part of her life.” Schumacher-Cawley shared the news on Instagram, posting a video of herself ringing the bell to signify the end of her chemotherapy treatment.
“We did it! Six rounds of chemo — done,” Schumacher-Cawley wrote in her Instagram post. “Today, I rang the bell, marking the end of this chapter. There are no words to express how deeply grateful I am for the unwavering support from every corner of my life.”
Schumacher-Cawley, 44, first revealed her diagnosis in October 2024, while Penn State was in the midst of their Big Ten schedule. Despite this challenge, Penn State captured its first Big Ten title since 2017, and Schumacher-Cawley was honored as the Big Ten Coach of the Year. In the NCAA Tournament, Penn State staged a comeback from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Nebraska and reach the championship match, where they beat Louisville 3-1 to claim their eighth NCAA title and first since 2017. Schumacher-Cawley became the first female coach to lead a women’s volleyball team to an NCAA championship.
In her Instagram post, Schumacher-Cawley expressed thanks to her family, medical team, support network, and the Penn State community. She also credited her players, writing, “Your energy, humor, and presence every day fueled me in ways you may never fully understand. You have each left an impact, and for that, I am forever grateful.”
Penn State’s players consistently called Schumacher-Cawley an inspiration during their postseason run. Jess Mruzik, named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, said, “She teaches us so much every single day, but the biggest lesson is that you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Teammate Taylor Trammell added, “We’re playing for something bigger than us. Katie has come in every day with the same fire and intensity, cancer or not, and she has pushed this program year after year. I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Schumacher-Cawley became the third head coach in Penn State women’s volleyball history in 2022, succeeding legendary coach Russ Rose, who retired after 43 seasons with a record 1,330 wins and seven NCAA titles. Before becoming head coach, she was an assistant for four years. Schumacher-Cawley had a distinguished playing career at Penn State, earning two-time All-American honors and being part of the 1999 national championship team. She also played basketball at Penn State and previously coached at the University of Illinois Chicago for eight seasons and at Penn for one season.
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