John Cherup

The James C. “Jimmy” Montecalvo and Luke Blanock Memorial Courage Award

Advocate for Baseball, Umpiring, and Youth Services
Beth Center High School

John Cherup has shown immense courage and resilience throughout his life, overcoming cancer, personal losses, and even a broken jaw. Diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma at age 39, Cherup underwent a 14-hour surgery, which included removing part of his tongue and splitting his jaw. Despite the challenges, he continued his work as an umpire and communicator in the field. After suffering a fractured jaw in 2022 from a foul ball, Cherup remarkably continued to umpire, despite the lingering effects of his surgeries. His determination to continue serving his community, both as an umpire and a positive role model, makes him a true recipient of the Courage Award.