Friends of Jaclyn - Real Sports

Episode 148, July 21, 2009

Correspondent: Frank Deford l Producer: Chapman Downes

Boasting five consecutive national championships, the Northwestern women's lacrosse team might be the most dominant program in NCAA history. For those close to the team, it's common knowledge that their magic run began only after a secret weapon was brought in: Jaclyn Murphy. Diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at age nine, the Hopewell Junction, NY native was in desperate need of a lift when the team reached out to her. Four years later, Murphy is a healthy, cancer-free 14-year-old, while Northwestern hasn't lost a national championship since their initial meeting. Inspired by their uplifting relationship, the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation has been established to link other children with malignant brain tumors to college teams around the country. Correspondent Frank Deford reports this remarkable story.