WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Senior running back Chris Liggio (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross) was one of two individuals honored at separate ceremonies as the first two recipients of the inaugural Hartford HealthCare Courage Award on Tuesday morning. Basketball hall-of-famer and former UConn women's basketball standout, Rebecca Lobo presented each of the honorees with a plaque and their universities with a $1,000 donation to the general scholarship fund in their names to help future students achieve their dreams.

"Hartford HealthCare is excited to recognize these two remarkable young student-athletes, who despite setbacks, have overcome challenges to continue to perform their best as both scholars and athletes," said Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and chief executive officer of Hartford HealthCare. "Our organization's purpose is to help people live their healthiest lives, and both Taylor and Chris' courageous stories of recovery and perseverance are an inspiration to all."

At the age of 15, Chris lost his parents in a murder/suicide. Following that tragic day, he turned to football which enabled him to discover a sense of purpose, his potential as a leader and ultimately, the power to heal. With the Chargers, Chris has appeared in 31 games over the past four years, compiling 1,261 rushing and receiving yards and six touchdowns. During his senior season when he served as a team captain, Liggio rushed for 415 yards and three touchdowns on 101 carries in just seven games as he battled through injury. For a full feature on Chris - Click Here 

Hartford HealthCare, in partnership with the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and the Associated Press (AP) created the Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Courage Award to honor Connecticut college and university student-athletes of all levels who have demonstrated courage in the face of adversity. 

Each month between November and April, two inspiring student-athletes, one male and one female, who have demonstrated courage in the face of adversity—such as overcoming injury, illness or other challenges—will be recognized as Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Courage Award Finalists. A panel of writers, editors and sports information directors from CoSIDA, AP and College Hoops Illustrated as well as the program's Ambassador, former WNBA and UConn basketball standout Rebecca Lobo, will select the honorees.

In May, one male and one female student-athlete will be chosen from the 12 finalists as Hartford HealthCare Courage Award Winners. Hartford HealthCare will donate $15,000 to the general scholarship funds for the 12 student-athletes selected as finalists, with $2,500 being awarded in the names of each of the two winners and $10,000 on behalf of the other 10 finalists. The winners will be recognized at a special ceremony with Ms. Lobo.

"We thank Hartford HealthCare for helping us create a platform to share the personal stories of courage for student-athletes at colleges and universities throughout Connecticut," says Doug Vance, executive director of CoSIDA. "We hope the stories of the personal challenges that these remarkable young men and women have battled can inspire other young people to show courage in the face of adversity in their own lives."