Quadriplegic Surfer Jesse Billauer Receives Fourth Annual Casey Martin Award
Beaverton, OR – Jesse Billauer, a motivational speaker and surfer who suffered a complete spinal cord injury when he hit a sandbar headfirst while trapped beneath the waves in 1996, was named the 2004 Casey Martin Award recipient in a ceremony at Nike’s World Headquarters today.
The award ceremony included PGA Tour golfer Casey Martin, Nike Brand President Charlie Denson, Hurley International CEO Bob Hurley, Nike’s first employee Jeff Johnson, U.S. Gold Medal Paralympic Tandem Cyclist Karissa Whitsell and Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, last year’s award winner.
Nike created the Casey Martin Award in 2001 to recognize the efforts of an athlete who, like Martin, has overcome physical, mental, societal or cultural challenges to excel in their sport, or who supports other athletes who face similar challenges. The award includes a $25,000 Nike grant. This year’s grant will go to the foundation that Jesse founded, Life Rolls On.
“The Casey Martin Award reminds us how important it is to continue advocating for the rights of athletes of all abilities to compete in their chosen sport,” said Charlie Denson, Nike Brand president. “Nike was founded on the principle that if you have a body, you are an athlete.
As a passionate surfer both before and after his injury, Jesse’s strength is an inspiration to athletes everywhere who may differ in their physical capabilities but share the same dreams and drive.”
Developing a passion for the water from an early age, Billauer quickly added surfing to his repertoire of sports in which he excelled – a category that already included baseball, soccer, snowboarding and ice hockey.
Surfer Magazine labeled him as one of the top 100 up-and-coming surfers in the world, and at age 16, Billauer became the youngest member of the California State Lifeguard team.
Billauer, now 25, survived a serious car accident in 1995, rebounding to rank No. 1 among juniors in the Pacific Surf Series. But six months later, while surfing with friends one morning before school, a wave knocked Billauer down, headfirst in the sandbar just a few feet below the surface, shattering his cervical spine and severing his spinal cord.
His friends brought him ashore, but Billauer had suffered a complete spinal cord injury at the C-6 level – a less severe but similar injury suffered by Christopher Reeve, who would become a close friend.
The injury robbed Billauer of any sensation or movement below his chest and limited use of his arms and hands. It “Through the Life Rolls On Foundation, I have tried to motivate others to appreciate their abilities but recognize their fragility,” Billauer said. “Being honored today by Nike with the Casey Martin Award in turn motivates me to continue educating the public about spinal cord injuries and continue encouraging athletes of all abilities to face their challenges.”
Four years after his accident, Jesse returned to surfing with the help of his friends. One carries him to his board, and others tow him out and surf next to him to provide assistance if needed. He is able, once again, to participate in the sport he loves so much.
In May 2002, Billauer graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in communications. He now speaks regularly, particularly to young people, about the importance of family and friends, and about the need to live life to the fullest and never give up on your hopes and dreams.
Published: 2004-11-19