From the core of the team to a spectator on the sidelines, athletes struggle through massive transitions when injury strikes. Despite the loss of a key player, the team is forced to continue on, leaving the injured athlete behind, often with compromised mental health.
Now-captain of the women’s field hockey team Hana Johnston (‘24) tore her ACL during her junior year at Drew.
“When I got injured and discovered that I would need to have surgery, I felt like the rug was pulled from under my feet,” Johnston said.
Attention to mental well-being becomes neglected as physical recovery takes priority for the injured athlete.
“It was honestly one of the lowest points in my life to have field hockey ripped out from my life in an instant,” Johnston said.
An athlete’s life is dictated by set routines and scheduled practices, but these take a backseat once the harsh realities of a long-term injury set in.
Dreams of outstanding performances in upcoming games are replaced by uncertainties and lingering questions in the athlete’s mind about whether or not their performance will rebound to their pre-injury level.
“I had to really dig deep and realize that my strength came from within myself, not just from being in the weight room,” Johnston said.
Although an athlete will usually see an outpouring of support in the days following their injury, the season does not end. The injured athlete’s contributions to the team’s success are replaced by teammates as they pursue championship goals.
As a spectator on the sidelines, the feeling of letting down teammates and supporters is accompanied by an internal regret that the injury was a direct result of the athlete’s own actions.
Whether it be not taking the necessary preventative measures or simply putting themselves in an inopportune situation on the field during the time of the injury, athletes often feel self-guilt that the injury was their own doing.
“I definitely felt guilt,” baseball team captain Billy Coleman (‘24) said. “I would come to practice and everyone would be working hard out there, and I’d be on the side in shorts.”
Overcoming the alienation from crutches, casts or braces that divide an athlete from teammates and rejoin them once more requires exceptional motivation.
With an arduous recovery before injured athletes, doubts and uncertainty eat away at the excitement of potential return dates.
“There were so many days post-op in rehab where I was in terrible pain, but I had to push through and think of the days ahead,” Johnston said.
A hope to return to the sport of their passions can drive the athlete through their recovery process.
“Having field hockey ripped from my life in an instant and without a choice made me really realize that I was not ready to retire,” Johnston said. “Making this comeback has pushed me to really cherish the now.”
Devan Sutaria is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry and minoring in business. Brandon Dennis is a senior majoring in English.
