Casey McKay Garners Offseason Awards 7/9/2013 11:52:00 AM OSWEGO, N.Y. (July 9, 2013) – LIU Post infielder Casey McKay (North Massapequa, N.Y.) has been awarded the Departmental Major of the Year Award, as given out by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Inc. McKay was also awarded the John Smillie Award, which is given in honor of NYIT Athletic Trainer, John Smillie, Jr. who passed away two years after battling cancer. The John Smillie, Jr. Award is given annually to a student-athlete or student-athletes who have overcome personal or physical challenges and hardships to pursue their intercollegiate athlete careers. John Smillie's children were in attendance to present the awards. McKay, finishing his junior year at LIU Post, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder when he 14 years old. It manifested in Casey as Morphea, which led to bilateral foot and lower leg deformities as well as severe lower leg muscle atrophy. Over the years, Casey has fought to overcome the numerous challenges imposed by the disease and through all that managed to become a standout high school and collegiate baseball player. In March 2011, Casey's sophomore season at LIU Post, he suffered a right thumb fracture while batting. He was still able to play and although at times he experienced significant pain, he did so with little complaint. In the summer of 2011, Casey tore the labrum in his right shoulder while playing summer ball in Virginia. He returned to New York for surgery to repair the damage and began months and months of recovery and rehabilitation. Although sidelined the entire 2012 baseball season, he was still a permanent fixture in the dugout providing guidance and support to his teammates. As the sport medicine staff and administrators at LIU Post pointed out, since Casey joined the LIU Post baseball program, he has been a leader on and off the field. His strong character and determination which has helped him to overcome obstacles was always done while he maintained a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the game. He truly represents the qualities and character the John Smillie Award was created to recognize. Print Friendly Version