GREEN BAY, Wis.
(GreenBayPhoenix.com) - After rehabbing her third knee injury in just four years, Green Bay women's
basketball senior Heather Golden (De Pere, Wis.) returned to the playing floor
Dec. 10 against Southeast Missouri. Golden was greeted by a standing ovation and
for about three minutes, forgot about the pain in her knee.
"Just being out on the court is where I let go of things and
it gives me a chance to release things that are built up inside of me," said
Golden.
Following the game on Dec. 10, Golden signed autographs on
her featured program of the night and couldn't stop smiling. The following day
she hobbled her way through practice as the Phoenix prepared to face in-state
foe Marquette.
"I just thought the pain in my knee was normal because I had
played on it the previous night but it felt like I was walking on knives,"
Golden said about the affects of playing Dec. 10. "I couldn't do anything in
warm-ups before our game at Marquette, it was just too painful."
December 14 after speaking with Athletic Trainer Dusty Lang,
Golden made the decision that it was time to play a different role with the
team, from the sidelines. Golden announced to her teammates and coaches after
practice that rehab was too painful to continue and that she had decided to
halt trying to return to the playing floor.
"To say that I can't do it anymore and to have to face that
fact that it's not realistic is the hardest thing I've ever had to do," said
Golden. "I really wanted to finish my senior year with my classmates Kayla (Tetschlag)
and Celeste (Hoewisch)."
Golden is still adjusting to her new role after feeling relieved
about finally making the decision. "I see the game from a whole new perspective
than the girls do on the court. I still consider myself part of the team but
just a different role," Golden said.
To hear how Heather reached her decision to end her playing
career, click here.
Golden also recently sat down with ESPN.com writer, Graham Hays to talk about
her career and knee injuries. To read Hays' article, click here.
