On Friday, Jan. 15, Bluffton University head baseball coach, James Grandey, and student-athlete Cody McPherson, accepted the 2010 Inspiration Award, on behalf of the 2007 baseball team, from Bluffton University president, Dr. James M. Harder at the National Collegiate Athletic Association's 2010 Honors Celebration in Atlanta, Ga.

The NCAA Inspiration Award is presented to "a coach, administrator or athlete who, when confronted with a life-altering situation, showed perseverance, dedication and determination and now serves as a role model to give hope and inspiration to others." The award is one of many presented by the NCAA at their annual convention.

The 2007 baseball team is the first team to be honored by the NCAA for this award and was recognized for their courage in returning to the baseball field only 28 days after the fatal bus crash on March 2, 2007.

"There were many moments of healing that moved us through this loss, and many of them revolved around the team taking leadership and saying we want to get back on the field," said President Harder in an NCAA news release.

Of the 25 surviving student-athletes who were on the bus, 24 will graduate. One left the university in 2008 to play minor-league baseball.