Sidelined by cancer
Conrad Adam was a promising prospect for the University of South Dakota men’s basketball team.
The junior from Pierre T.F Riggs High School was diagnosed with cancer in his left femur, altering his goal to play for the Coyotes.
Conrad Adam was diagnosed Aug. 1, 2012, and had surgery in October to amputate his left leg above the knee. He is now receiving chemotherapy to treat the osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor that usually occurs when a teen is growing rapidly.
“You never think of something like this happening to you,” he said. “I’ve been really lucky with great friends and family and a lot of support with people from around South Dakota and other people around the nation.”
Although he can no longer play basketball for USD, Conrad Adam said he has gotten support from the faculty members. USD will host a Dribble-A-Thon Feb. 16 at the men’s basketball game against Fort Wayne in the DakotaDome. At tip-off, those participating in the Dribble-A-Thon will dribble their own basketballs non-stop for 24 hours. The goal is to raise $1,000 for the Adam family during that time. Bracelets will also be sold at the game.
“A lot of basketball coaches have called me and talked to me too. It’s overwhelming, but all of the support gets you through every day,” he said. “It makes things a little easier for you as far as treatments and doing what you need to do to have long-term health.”
Coyote basketball is nothing new for the Adam family. His father, Karl, attended USD from 1983-89 and played basketball. Additionally, Conrad Adam’s mother and several grandparents, aunts and uncles also attended the university. His sister, Katherine Adam, is currently a first-year.
“I had a great experience at the university,” Karl Adam said. “It has a very special place in our hearts – it’s where I fell in love with my wife and we grew from young adults. To have the university reach out to us and extend their support for our family is very meaningful. It means a lot to us.”
Even though Conrad Adam won’t be playing basketball for the Coyotes, he said USD is still one of his college options.
“I don’t know what I’ll be doing or where I’ll be going yet – that’ll be a little ways down the road – but USD is great school. It would be pretty cool to stay in touch with them and be a Coyote someday,” she said.
The experience has been difficult for Katherine Adam, but she said her family has to keep a positive attitude.
“We’re only 18 months apart, so seeing him go through (treatment) was really hard,” she said.
“He’s really strong, and that helps me a lot. If he didn’t have such a good attitude it would be harder. We definitely have to be positive – that’s really the only way you can get through something like this,” she said. “It’s about being optimistic and thinking the best of a situation.”
