Patty Cisneros couldn't believe it. Still can't, actually.
Maybe when she touches down in Los Angeles next week -- on a first-class, all-expense paid trip to the ESPY Awards -- it finally will become a reality.
"I was in shock for like three days," said Cisneros, a River Forest High School and Valparaiso University grad, who is up for "Best Female Athlete with a Disability," for ESPN's yearly star-studded event that will be hosted by Justin Timberlake this year.
"When I think about all the athletes who are going to be there, it's like, 'WOW! I can't believe it.'"
Cisneros, a member of the 2004 Paralympics gold medal-winning women's wheelchair basketball team and a member of this year's U.S. team headed to Beijing, was paralyzed from the hips down following a car crash near Indiana University in Bloomington more than 12 years ago. Cisneros is currently the head coach for the women's wheelchair basketball team at the University of Illinois, where she guided the team to the national championship this past season.
Cisneros has no idea who nominated her for the ESPY.
"I've been trying to find out, but I haven't," she said. "I've asked around, but I still have no clue."
Cisneros got a call about her nomination from the ESPY people on July 1 and found out she could take one guest. That turned a July 4 family party in Lake Station into a huge celebration -- and contest. Cisneros put a ton of family members' names in a grab bag and did a blind draw to see who would go with her.
It turned out to be her sister, Cristal.
"It was all hyped up, loud and exciting," Patty said. "People were mad because everybody wanted to go."
The ESPY Awards will air on July 20, but Cisneros will actually be at the event July 16 for the taping and all the hoopla. She said the itinerary includes a rooftop party, ESPY breakfast, countdown on the red carpet show, an athletes party and a post party.
Cisneros was one of four nominees in her category. The others include Jessica Galli (track and field), Susan Beth Scott (swimming) and Shay Oberg (softball).
Fans need to vote for their picks, and Cisneros is asking supporters to go to www.espys.tv to register and vote.
"It's so surreal," she said. "I'm going to be there with athletes like Tiger Woods and LeBron James.
"I'm so excited I can't wait."
