Roxan Saberi is a former soccer player at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and is one of two individuals receiving the honor. Richard Phillips, a former basketball student-athlete at Massachusetts Maritime, was captain of a merchant vessel and surrendered himself to ensure his crew's safety after pirates hijacked the ship in the Indian Ocean.
Saberi was working as a journalist in Iran when she was arrested in late January 2009 and was jailed for several months.
In a press release from the NCAA, Saberi is quoted as saying, "During the early days of my detainment, I felt terrified, helpless and alone. I felt that even God had abandoned me."
The release states Saberi felt she was not ready to stand up for her beliefs. "My main thoughts were to survive and to get out of prison," Saberi is quoted as saying.
The release states Saberi initially made a false confession, believing it would lead to a speedy release, but later retracted it.
"It took some time for me to realize that the life I wanted was not one that would require me to sacrifice my values in order to be freed," Saberi said in the NCAA release. "After a while, especially after seeing the strength and self-sacrifice of many of my cellmates, I realized I had to try to right my wrongs as best I could, even if it meant jeopardizing my chance at freedom."
Saberi was tried, convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for espionage during a short trial, which prompted her to go on a hunger strike.
The Iranian Revolutionary Court of Appeals released Saberi on May 11, 2009, with a two-year suspended sentence exactly 100 days after being detained. She attributes her freedom to support from around the world.
Saberi said she is honored and humbled to receive the NCAA award.
"I honestly think many others deserve this award more than I do, but I am deeply honored by it," she said in the release. "I would like to dedicate this award to all the prisoners of conscience who are unjustly jailed in Iran. Some are under tremendous pressure to make confessions that are not true, and many have shown valor and courage in their peaceful pursuit of their basic rights.
Saberi is writing a book "Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran," that is to be released next April.
Miss North Dakota pageant President Marilyn McGinley of Williston said in an e-mail the group is working to find a time when Saberi can return to Williston to talk and conduct a book signing. She said such an event may occur during the pageant that is this coming July 10-12 in Williston.
Comments
Mohsen wrote on Jan 25, 2010 8:48 PM:
Shahriar wrote on Jan 24, 2010 7:36 PM:
Anyone takes even a small step against Iranian government's dictatorship should be supported by others. Although there are many others that have done more scarifying, but not given you this reward does not do anything good to them.
In contrary you and whoever can give western media about what is going on inside Iran, doing a great help to people's struggle against Iran's regime. "
positive wrote on Jan 22, 2010 11:37 AM:
wow wrote on Jan 21, 2010 4:50 PM:
Besides....who really knows what she did regarding saving anyone else. Were any of you there? Any of you walked in this ladies shoes? If I am not mistaken, the book was started long before she ever was falsely arrested and you have no idea what she may do with the profits from this book. I know first had this young lady has already made a difference in someone's life. Oh yes....she deserves this award. God Bless you Roxana. "
don wrote on Jan 21, 2010 7:47 AM:
There are many Iranians who are risking their lives on a daily basis to stand up to their dictatorship, and they are far more deserving opf this award. "
Bufford T Justice wrote on Jan 15, 2010 10:15 PM: