Seaford Native to be Featured in ESPN Documentary

Seaford native and legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano will be featured in an ESPN documentary Sunday night that tells story of his magical national championship run with North Carolina State 30 years ago.

The late Valvano, who died of cancer on April 28, 1993 at age 47, will be shown in the latest film for the ESPN 30 for 30 series called “Survive and Advance” airing at 9 p.m. Sunday on ESPN. The movie chronicles how Valvano, a Seaford High School graduate, helped guide the NC State Wolfpack by winning nine do-or-die games in a row including seven in which they ere trailing in the final minute. The miracle run culminated with a dramatic 54-52 victory in the national championship against heavily favored Houston on a Lorenzo Charles dunk at the buzzer off a missed 30-foot shot from Dereck Whittenburg.

To view a preview of Sunday night’s ESPN film on the late Seaford resident, click here. The movie was directed by John Hock. 

Valvano, who was a standout basketball, football and baseball player at Seaford High School in the early 60s, helped launch the V Foundation for Cancer Research shortly before his death 20 years ago. Two decades later, the V Foundation has helped make strides toward finding cures and treatments for various forms of cancer including awarding over $100 million to more than 100 research facilities nationwide.