On Monday, December 10, 2012, a special presentation was held for Coach Matt Svehla during the half time of the men’s game.

On December 2, 2012 at 4:33 pm, a man suffered from cardiac arrest outside of the Cox Activity Center after attending a production put on by Northeast Community College students.

It was at this point that Matt Svehla performed CPR on this perfect stranger until the paramedics arrived to transport the man to the Faith Regional Medical Center here in Norfolk.  

It was for this act of selflessness and heroism that Coach Svehla was awarded an Outstanding Citizenship Award. The Norfolk Fire Division, Dr. Michael Chipps, and two family members of the man that Svehla saved were there to thank him for his bravery and witness the presentation.

Fire Chief Scott Cordes presented the award to Svehla, and Dr. Chipps also had a few words to say, and communicated how proud Northeast Community College is. 

Svehla was then given another small medal, as well as three others to award to the paramedics that arrived on the scene.