Marymount University women’s tennis player Francesca Loiseau received the 2026 NCAA Inspiration Award during the NCAA Honors Celebration last month in Washington.
The award is presented to varsity letter-winners, coaches or administrators who have demonstrated perseverance, dedication and determination in overcoming a life-altering situation and become role models. Only one winner is selected each year across all NCAA divisions.
“I am honored to be receiving this award,” Loiseau said. “As I look back on the incredible individuals who have received it before me, I feel deeply blessed to be in their company. I never imagined facing an injury that would completely change my life and take away my ability to live normally. Yet, through that unimaginable challenge, I found strength, hope and purpose I didn’t know I had.”
Loiseau joined the Marymount women’s tennis team ahead of the 2022-23 season, finishing with a 4-2 record in both singles and doubles play in the fall. She earned Atlantic East Player of the Week honors in 2022.
But just one week later, Loiseau suffered a spontaneous brain bleed caused by an arteriovenous malformation rupture during a training session. The incident required emergency brain surgery, and she lost movement on the left side of her body.
Through extensive rehabilitation and therapy, she regained the ability to walk and rebuild strength.
“I’ve had more therapy sessions than I can count, but each one played a part in helping me learn to walk again, rebuild my independence and return to college,” she said. “Not many people in my position get that opportunity, and I’ll never take it for granted.”
During a regular season match against St. Mary’s, Md., March 1, 2025, Loiseau returned to the court in doubles play, overcoming immense obstacles and embodying the spirit of the Inspiration Award.
“I would not be here today without the amazing nurses and doctors who saved my life that day, and the countless occupational, physical and mental therapists who helped me along the way,” she said.
Loiseau was named the 2023 winner of the Atlantic East Conference Medal of Inspiration Award, recognizing an individual who perseveres through extraordinary circumstances with determination, devotion and passion. She also received Marymount’s Athletics Award for Resilience that year.
“To know Frankie is to love her,” said Ryan Wildenhain, associate athletics director. “It was my honor to nominate her for this award — a recognition made possible by her relentless drive to become the best version of herself, despite every challenge, and her unwavering dedication to inspire others to do the same.”
“Having the whole Marymount athletic department behind me every step of the way gave me the determination and guidance I needed to keep going,” Loiseau said. “My family is my constant source of love, faith and encouragement. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the strength to endure the pain, the setbacks or the long recovery. This award isn’t just mine — it belongs to everyone who stood by me, believed in me and helped me find my way back.”
