By: Mark Reinhiller
Adversity, resolve and a can-do attitude illustrate the life of College of DuPage Chaparrals women’s basketball head coach Abigail Talley.
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On the court, Talley demonstrated her coaching ability in her first season as a community college coach with the Chaps earning their first Region 4 championship in 15 seasons and securing the program’s most victories in nine seasons with a 15-16 overall record.However, what she showed in her battle against cancer substantiates a life of courage.
Earlier this month, Talley was awarded the NJCAA’s Battles Won Coaches Award, presented by the U.S. Marines during the NJCAA annual convention in Charlotte, N.C. An inaugural honor, the award recognizes a coach who has shown perseverance in overcoming adversity. It is intended to exemplify the U.S. Marines Corps’ core values of honor, courage and commitment.
“One thing with taking this job is that it served some positivity at a nonpositive time,’’ she said. “I was ready for the challenge.’’
A few months after the birth of her first child, Leia, Talley found a lump on her chest that was later diagnosed as stage 3 breast cancer. The news forced her to leave her high school educational and coaching position in Romeoville.
While she was undergoing chemotherapy in early 2022, Chaps Director of Athletics Ryan Kaiser needed a head women’s basketball coach. He reached out to Talley and she disclosed her diagnosis when the two met to discuss the position.
Kaiser was struck by her positive attitude and knew the women’s basketball program needed a person with her resolve and strength. It was a match that each party needed.
“She wanted this job as an outlet to what she was going through,” he said. “It was something that she loved doing and wanted to continue by giving back as a college head coach.”
Talley underwent 20 weeks of chemotherapy and successfully handled 35 radiation treatments that extended into the Chaps’ preseason and first portion of the season.
“Watching Abby fight her battle with cancer has been an inspiration to me, our department, our school and the conference,’’ Kaiser said. “Her willingness to continue to show up and fight day in and day out, no matter how she felt, provided a never-give-up example to everyone here at COD.”
Talley credits coaching the COD’s women’s basketball team as helping her get through a dark period of her life, along with her strong faith in God.
“I hate that I had breast cancer and I don’t want it again, but this is a pretty cool reward,’’ she said.