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By Andrew McClure Hofstra University’s softball team has been one of the most successful teams in the country over the past decade. The Pride have won 11 consecutive conference championships, including all seven Colonial Athletic Conference titles since the league was formed in 2002. The 11-year title streak is the longest in NCAA Division I softball history.
While most measure a program’s level of success by looking at wins and losses, not everything shows up in the box score. The student-athletes at Hofstra have done something magical for a remarkable young Long Island girl.  The Pride "adopted" Mattituck’s Hannah Prokop through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. Hannah was diagnosed with a brain tumor back in January of 2007. The program matches a child with a college or high school sports team based on location. Kim Prokop, Hannah’s mom, couldn’t be more appreciative. “We found out in December that Hofstra was looking for a girl to adopt,” she said. “It was a match! They are like a family to Hannah. The emotional support they provide is the missing piece of the puzzle. It’s the type of support that Hannah really needs.” In January of 2007, Dave and Kim Prokop heard the words that no parents ever want to hear -- your child has a brain tumor. Hannah, who was seven at the time, had recently undergone a routine scan to determine the reason behind her headaches and vomiting. A tumorous mass was found in the 4th ventricle, right over the cerebellum. Due to hydrocephalus (an abnormal buildup of the brain’s normal water-like fluid), Hannah would need to be admitted to a hospital immediately, and surgery was imminent. Days later, Hannah spent six hours in surgery. She had a medullblastoma, a malignant tumor that would require radiation and chemotherapy for Hannah to survive. The doctor was able to remove the entire tumor during the surgery. He believed that with the radiation and chemotherapy treatments, Hannah had a very good prognosis for surviving and remaining cancer free. Hannah underwent 30 radiation treatments and nine rounds of chemotherapy over the next 10 months. In December of 2007, she was cancer-free. While Hannah will live from check-up to check-up for the rest of her life, and must struggle each day with the side effects, she is doing well.  On a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon, Hannah is the center of attention. Donning an official Hofstra jersey with #1 stitched on the back, surrounded by members of the Pride, she throws out the first pitch. The team is ecstatic as Hannah throws a perfect strike.
Hannah has made a big impression on the team, especially Kayleigh Lotti, the team’s starting pitcher. Lotti recently capped off a spectacular career at Hofstra, which saw her capture CAA Pitcher of the Year honors three times while rewriting the record books over her four seasons. Lotti knows a little about overcoming the odds. Lotti, who gave up just one earned run over her last two seasons in high school, was one of the most highly recruited pitchers in the northeast. But, prior to her senior season, a previously undiagnosed heart condition required open-heart surgery. Lotti had a narrowing of the aorta, a defect most often detected early in childhood. If undetected, she likely would not have made it past her 21st birthday. The surgery was not only life-saving; it allowed her to return to the softball diamond. She knows she has a special fan in Hannah. “Hannah is an inspiration. She’s so special to the team and to me,” Lotti said. “From my own personal experience, I know how nice it makes you feel to have support. Seeing her look so happy and positive, it’s really the least we can do. I’m so glad we can help her out.” To learn more about Hannah Prokop and her battle with pediatric brain cancer, please visit www.hannahpro.blogspot.com. |
