RICK PUSKAR

The James C. (Jimmy) Montecalvo and Luke Blanock Memorial Courage Award

Rick Puskar, Waynesburg University—Despite being a patient of multiple myeloma cancer and the incurable amyloidosis, he leads his life and fights his illnesses and physical challenges, putting his struggles to the side and tending to the well-being of his family and friends first. Puskar had brain surgery in November that helped remove most of a benign pituitary tumor that was impacting the sight in his left eye. It was unrelated to the myeloma and amyloidosis – another challenge piled on. He needed radiation treatments after the surgery, followed by five days of chemotherapy for several months. Before deciding on a radiation plan, he needed clearance from his nephrologist because of his kidney failure related to amyloidosis. In a little more than four months, the tumor amazingly shrunk. The 56-year-old takes a monthly infusion of Darzalex for the amyloidosis. He helped Waynesburg’s basketball team compile a 73-13 cumulative record from 1984-87, including reaching the NAIA national quarterfinals his 1986-87 senior season. Puskar, who also served as an assistant basketball coach at Charleroi High School, enjoyed a fabulous business career with an impactful position with Schneider Electric.