BOSTON – The America East Conference honored recent UVM men's basketball graduate Josh Speidel with the conference's Inspiration Award. The league office made the announcement on Wednesday morning. Speidel joins 2018 America East Inspiration Award honoree Noelle Lambert, a former UMass Lowell women's lacrosse student-athlete, who lost her leg in a moped accident yet returned to action, as the conference's only award recipients.
 
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"Congratulations to Josh on this most-deserving honor," said America East Commissioner, Amy Huchthausen. "He is such an impressive young man and is the epitome of hard work, perseverance and determination. He did not let a tragic event curtail his dream of being a Division I student-athlete and has helped his class become the winningest in Vermont history while earning over a 3.0 GPA in the classroom."

The America East Inspiration Award is mirrored after the NCAA Inspiration Award, which is selectively bestowed to someone currently or formerly within intercollegiate athletes who, when confronted with a life-altering situation used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome the event and now serves as a role model to give hope and inspiration to others in similar situations.
 
"Thank you to America East for this recognition," said Speidel. "Thank you to UVM, you have done everything for me. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for all of you. In the wake of what we're living in right now in our world, love others, love your neighbors, love your family, and love yourself. Help be the change."
 
Speidel graduated with a bachelor's degree in education through an individually-designed major. He also completed minors in behavioral change and coaching. He finished his time at the University with a 3.37 grade point average.  
 
In February of 2015, Speidel was involved in a devastating car crash during his senior year at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Indiana. The crash left him with a traumatic brain injury, and the doctors told his family he would live in a vegetative state for the rest of his life. Prior to the accident, Josh was one of the top high school basketball players in the state of Indiana.
 
After a five-year journey of recovery, Speidel got to live his dream of playing in a college basketball game on March 3. Thanks to an agreement between UVM and UAlbany, he was introduced in the starting lineup and scored Vermont's first basketball of the game. Following the inspirational moment, Speidel's story was featured by countless media outlets including ESPN College GameDay, the CBS Evening News, the Today Show, The Athletic, CNN, and The New York Times. The league also honored Speidel with an All-Championship Team nod at the conclusion of the season. 
 
National Life Group is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball