Jake Madonia Honored With Giant Steps Award

Madonia has returned to the sport he loves following a battle with cancer

Jake Madonia

BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo track and field athlete Jake Madonia has been honored with the 2009 Giant Steps Award, which is presented annually by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports. Madonia made his triumphant return to the circle this past January after missing almost two years following a diagnosis of synovial sarcoma, a rare cancer of the soft tissue.

Nominations from all over the country were accepted for the annual Giant Steps Award and are given to individuals who use sport to make positive social change, and who help student-athletes succeed on all aspects of their lives. The awards are not limited to student-athletes but aim to honor professional athletes, athletics administrators, civic leaders, coaches, parents, organizations and other individuals who exemplify the ideals of balancing academics, athletics, life pursuits and giving back to the community through the spirit of athletics. Madonia and the rest of the Giant Steps Award winners will be honored on Tuesday, October 27 at the NCAS Banquet in Orlando, FL.

Madonia’s story began a little less than two years ago when he went to the doctor to have a cyst removed from his foot. They discovered a week later that he had a rare type of cancer called Synovial Sarcoma. As a member of the UB Track and Field Team, this had an intense affect on his ability to compete in the sport, and on him personally, as he dealt with his diagnosis and treatment. Before his surgery, Madonia tried out for the Empire State Games, in both the shot put and the discus. He won the discus and placed second in the shot put. He achieved this all the while going though chemotherapy and having already lost 20 pounds. Unfortunately, because the games were during his surgery, he gave up his place in the competition. Within two weeks of his surgery, Madonia was back in the weight room. Throughout the entire period of his treatment and surgery, Madonia still made every practice.

Despite expecting to redshirt all of this season while recovering, Madonia and his coaches decided over mid-semester break that he would attempt to return to competition. Not only did he return, but in his first competition in two years he won the shot put throw at 55’2” in his first competition at the Upstate New York Challenge at Cornell University.

Madonia is now competing in the outdoor season for the Bulls and is one of the leading contenders to win the Mid-American Conference title in the shot put. He will join the rest of the UB Track and Field team for their lone home meet, the UB Open, this Saturday, April 18.