http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?id=2740441
Here is another story, this one on Fox Sports.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6401068#
Willis Reed, eat your heart out. If he ever recovers enough to be able to step onto the court, it will blow the roof clear off of Bartels.
Wow.
... and we gripe about all-nighters being a mark of dedication. This guy is amazing.
If he plays again we should all road trip back to Ithaca, pack the house, and pack Barton with a video feed for everyone who can't fit in Alberding. That is absolutely amazing.
Thanks for the articles, and kudos to the teammate who had the knowledge and cool head to not move. I think most people would have just untangled themselves and gotten up.
Just to let everyone know who was involved in the collision-- the other player was Ryan Rourke., who graduated last season and is currently playing professional basketball in China. Rourke started his career at Air Force, then played a year of junior college basketball before transferring to Cornell to finish his last two years. Ironically, he hit a game winning free throw two years ago for Cornell against Princeton. The head coach of Princeton-- Joe Scott-- was Ryan Rourke's head coach at Air Force. So, both left Colorado and found themselves as opponents in the Ivy.
As for Gant-- he is an amazing kid. No just a basketball player, he is very involved on campus and served as a resident advisor. He was probably Steve Donahue's first "high profile" recruit and was sought after by many high-major programs. Unfortunately, he never had the time to develop and realize all of that potential.
I think it would be incredible to get him in the game (if safe) for just one minute next year so that he can graduate and can say he returned to the court. No matter what-- this kid is an inspiration to all others who have these injuries. Hell, he is just an inspiration. I am glad he is still part of the program and making contributions as a member of the team staff.
Great article. Great kid.
[quote CornellFan]I think it would be incredible to get him in the game (if safe) for just one minute next year so that he can graduate and can say he returned to the court.[/quote]
I've been thinking the same thing. Like the lacrosse goalie who overcame cancer in his leg and came back to play, if only briefly, at Cornell--only Gant's story would be even more remarkable.
[quote CornellFan] No just a basketball player, he is very involved on campus and served as a resident advisor. [/quote]
Actually he is an RA again. I am a RA in a different building than him, but we often interact in training etc. When we (RA's) heard about the accident we felt terrible. And when I saw him back at August training this year I couldn't have been happier. Just like you said, he's a great guy.