Grossman to Be Formally Honored at NJYS Awards Dinner on February 2nd
New Jersey Youth Soccer will be hosting its 30th Annual Awards Dinner on Friday, February 2nd, where it will honor many players, coaches and members of the soccer community. One of those honorees will be Cooper Grossman, who has been named the recipient of the 2017 NJYS Comeback Player of the Year Award Presented by JAG Physical Therapy. The award was created to honor an individual who has overcome adversity or injury to excel beyond expectations as a soccer player.
“On behalf of the entire team at JAG Physical Therapy, I am proud to present the inaugural award for Comeback Player of the Year to Cooper Grossman,” says John Gallucci Jr., President and CEO of JAG Physical Therapy. “After being diagnosed with Kleine-Levin Syndrome, a disease that most of us never even knew existed, Cooper persevered and remained committed to continuing the day to day joys of childhood, including the sport of soccer. Cooper’s story is truly inspirational, and we are proud to honor him as our 2018 Comeback Player of the Year!”
Cooper’s passion for the game, his teammates and his school have been a driving force that helps him personally as he continues to deal with Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS). Symptoms of the rare and complex neurological disorder include recurring periods of excessive amounts of sleep, altered behavior and a reduced understanding of the world.
Cooper realizes the uncertain nature of KLS and knows it can come about very suddenly. He works diligently at school and uses his love of soccer as a forum to remain positive. After dealing with a number of episodes in early 2017, Cooper completed his fall high school season and then played with his club team, maintaining his schoolwork the entire time. Never one to make excuses, he embraces a determined attitude to “push forward and make sure I get it done” while living by the motto that “Tough times don’t last. Tough people do!”
With the acceptance of the 2017 NJYS Comeback Player of the Year Award Presented by JAG Physical Therapy, Cooper hopes that this acknowledgement can spread awareness for KLS and its early diagnosis. For more information on KLS, make sure to visit their official website at klsfoundation.org.
For more information about JAG Physical Therapy, visit their official website. To find out more about NJ Youth Soccer or to contact us directly, please email communications@njyouthsoccer.com. Also make sure to follow us on social media: @NJYouthSoccer
