{"id":5542,"date":"2013-06-20T08:15:34","date_gmt":"2013-06-20T12:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=5542"},"modified":"2013-06-20T21:24:56","modified_gmt":"2013-06-21T01:24:56","slug":"future-duke-nick-balenger-will-inspire-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=5542","title":{"rendered":"Future Duke Nick Balenger Will Inspire You"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Nick Balenger is all set to attend JMU this fall as a member of the Class of 2017. He was a star pitcher for Lake Braddock High School before he was paralyzed from the waist down in an accident last summer. Prior to the accident, Nick was like any other normal kid. Any normal kid who throws 86 mile per hour fast balls for a state champion baseball team that is. After the accident Nick’s goals changed from wanting to help his team defend its Virginia AAA State title, to something much simpler. His new goal was\u00a0“be on stage walking across and going down the steps” at his graduation. Yesterday Nick accomplished that goal.<\/p>\n

With his family, friends, and classmates watching, Nick walked 50 feet across the stage to receive his diploma. You can watch the video here<\/a>. It was a shock to everyone in the crowd who was used to seeing Nick move around using a wheelchair and had only seen him stand a few times. He received a well deserved standing ovation. Fortunately for Nick, his spinal cord wasn’t completely severed and with lots of hard work, doctors say he could have a 95% recovery. Way to go Nick. I think I speak for Dukes everywhere when I say congrats and welcome to the JMU family.<\/p>\n

h\/t @JMUswag<\/a> for the link<\/em><\/p>\n