Kevin DuPrey, a UD distance runner who battled Lyme disease during much of his college career, was selected as the winner of the 2006 John H. Randolph Inspiration Award by the Colonial Athletic Association.

The award recognizes individuals who, through strength of character and human spirit, serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named for former College of William & Mary athletic director John Randolph, who died of cancer in 1995.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” DuPrey, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, says. “Going through this whole ordeal has made me value little things much more.”

DuPrey was a four-year letter winner in cross country and a two-year letter winner in outdoor track and field for the Fightin’ Blue Hens. He was one of the Hens’ top runners as a freshman, finishing 18th overall at the CAA cross country championship meet and setting a freshman record in the 10,000-meter run in track and field.

DuPrey’s career took an unfortunate turn in the spring of 2003, however, when he contracted Lyme disease. The disease caused numerous complications, including fatigue, a serious hip injury that was the result of swelling in his joints, and severe sunburn that was a side effect of antibiotics.

His condition has steadily improved, and he currently is free from Lyme disease and no longer on antibiotics. He served as team captain on the cross country squad in 2005 and posted a fifth-place finish at the Delaware Invitational meet.

“A year ago, I had a PICC [peripherally inserted central catheter] line sticking out of my arm, and I couldn’t even go out in the sun for more than five minutes,” DuPrey says. “When I was able to go to the beach after stopping antibiotics it was absolutely amazing.”

“Kevin is such a tremendous person,” UD Head Coach Jim Fischer, who heads the cross country and track programs, says. “He works so hard and never has given up despite his illness. For him to come out and run cross country this past fall says a lot about the kind of person he is.

“He has always had the ability, but it became so hard for him to train. He finally had so much pain that he had to stop following the cross country season. I’m disappointed for him that he couldn’t reach the level of competition that he was capable of, but it was never because of a lack of effort or desire. That has always been there.”

While the disease took a toll on DuPrey’s running abilities, he continued to excel as a student. He achieved a 3.88 grade point average and earned the track team’s Sharp Academic Award. A Dean’s List student, DuPrey worked as a biology research assistant and in the Vertebrate Development Lab during the summers.

He plans to attend the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he will study sports medicine or infectious diseases to become a Lyme disease specialist.

DuPrey is the third UD scholar-athlete to earn the John H. Randolph Award from the CAA in the last five years.