Penn State Volleyball Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley Announces She Beat Breast Cancer

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Penn State volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley posted on Instagram that she completed chemotherapy and is cancer-free after a battle with breast cancer.

Back in October, Schumacher-Cawley posted on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Rather than step away from the team to deal with her health issues, Schumacher-Cawley continued to coach the Nittany Lions volleyball program while undergoing treatment. 

Penn State has always had a dominant women's volleyball team, winning seven National Championships prior to last season. 

However, the school had hit a bit of a dry spell. After winning six national championships in eight years from 2007-14, the school hadn't captured the title since, reaching just one Final Four in that span. 

But that changed in 2024 when Schumacher-Cawley led her team to a championship victory over Louisville, becoming the first female head coach to win an NCAA Division I volleyball championship. 

Talk about inspiration. Katie Schumacher-Cawley could easily have stepped away from her team and taken a year off to focus on her own health. Most people would if they were in that situation. 

Not Schumacher-Cawley, though. Not only did she continue to coach, but she led her team to one of the best seasons in school history, posting a 35-2 record on the way to a Big Ten title before winning it all. 

Penn State volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley led her team to a National Championship victory while battling breast cancer.

Penn State volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley led her team to a National Championship victory while battling breast cancer. 

(Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Plus, Penn State defeated Louisville in the National Championship, 3-1. Why is that significant? The championship game was played in Louisville, a home game for the Cardinals. 

If we've learned anything from the 2024 volleyball season, though, it's that Schumacher-Cawley isn't afraid of anything. Beating Louisville in their home city is nothing compared to beating breast cancer. 

And Schumacher-Cawley accomplished both. 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.