The Southsider Voice
Visit us at these places!
  • Home
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Sports
    • Car Nutz
    • Stilley Goes Trackside
    • Southside Deaths
    • Personal Recollections
    • Reminiscing
  • About the Voice
  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Newspaper Archive
  • Classifieds

Rallying around coach with cancer

5/10/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
Melissa Frost
Picture
PHOTOS COURTESY OF UINDY ATHLETICS UIndy softball coach Melissa Frost signals a player.
Picture
By Nathan Pace
Online editor

For University of Indianapolis softball coach Melissa Frost, her puppy is a lifesaver. 

“I have a puppy that just jumped up on me and literally hit me in the chest, and at that point I felt something that wasn’t quite right,” Frost said. “Thank goodness for my puppy.”

The diagnosis of breast cancer was confirmed in November with surgery performed in December.  
“I have zero history of breast cancer in my family so it was quite a shock,” Frost said.  

Support has come from all over the country as 43 softball teams from 16 states participated in “Faith. Fight. Frost.” in April. The teams wore jerseys sporting the slogan during their games. For Frost, the support has been incredible during her chemotherapy treatments. 

“I have treatment once every three weeks,” she said. “It has been different; at the same time it has been awesome to have support of my UIndy family, support of the team and just with the whole Faith. Fight. Frost. campaign that my assistant coach (Sara Kubuske) and Bellarmine University coach (Renee Hicks) kinda put together. It has been incredible how the softball world has rallied around.”

Frost will tell you she doesn’t seek attention, so it was her staff and coaching colleagues that promoted the campaign. “It’s unreal. Just overwhelming gratitude for everyone that participated, and I can’t say how humbling it is that the event and that day was in support of me.”

In her 13 seasons at UIndy, the Greyhounds have worn pink for Sunday games for breast cancer awareness. Frost never though she would be on the receiving end of that support. 

“I don’t like a lot of attention, but it has been amazing to walk in the ballpark and see that these people are here to support you,” she said.

Frost admits she has been more hands off this season due to her chemo treatments. She has been able to participate in most games and practices, missing only one road trip.  

Her final chemo treatments are to eliminate any remaining cancer cells that may have survived the removal of the tumor. Her last session will be next month. 

“It’s a very humbling experience. It’s one of those things where I have zero control over it. It certainly changes your perspective on it. My faith is strong and certainly that is something that has come about through this whole thing.”

Frost attends Mount Pleasant Church in White River Township and has also received encouragement from her Bible study group.  

The Greyhounds are in good shape to reach their 10th straight NCAA tournament appearance with a 33-19 record. Frost doesn’t see her time at UIndy ending anytime soon. 
​
“I love Indy; I love UIndy; I love the athletics department.” Frost said. “Dr. Sue Willey (athletic director) is a wonderful person to work for. She cares about you as a coach and an individual.” 
1 Comment
Jayne Smiley
5/17/2017 01:42:12 pm

Fight On my friend ❤️

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    Arts & Entertainment
    Lead Story
    Sports: 500
    Sports: Basketball
    Sports: Track

    RSS Feed

 DROP OFF: The Toy Drop 6025 Madison Ave., Suite D
Indianapolis, IN  46227  |  317-781-0023
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 17187, Indianapolis, IN 46217

[email protected] | [email protected]
Website by IndyTeleData, Inc.