Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Jon Eilts Sydney Colson recovered ahead of schedule from a summer knee injury to take control of the Aggie offense. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Jon Eilts Colson tore the ACL in her right knee during a summer pick-up game of basketball. Though doctors said it would take her six months to recover, Colson returned to the court in four months. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Jon Eilts Sophomore guard Sydney Colson shoots a layup against Nebraska on Sunday at Reed Arena. Colson returned for her sophomore season after suffering a knee injury the previous summer. [Click to enlarge]

During a summer pick-up game, the playing future of Sydney Colson was thrown into limbo when she landed awkwardly on her knee, tearing her anterior cruciate ligament, ACL.

In an instant, Texas A&M's starting point guard nearly saw her hopes and dreams tear like the ligaments in her knee.

"I ended up coming down wrong," she said. "My leg went one way and my knee went the other. I just felt like I had no knee at the point. It felt like Jell-O really. I tried to get up and walk away but I stumbled back down."

She had finished her freshman season at A&M when she went down with the injury. Colson's disappointment was compounded by the fact that she was looking at taking over the starting duties for the 2008-2009 season.

"I just tried to rehab really hard knowing that we were getting a freshman point guard and [A'Quonesia Franklin] was leaving," Colson said. "I wanted to come back because I was supposed to be the one to lead this team. So I just worked my butt off."

Following her surgery on July 9, 2008, Colson was supposed to take six months to recuperate. To the surprise of her trainers, coaches and teammates the sophomore recovered in four months and two days. Colson showcased in recovery the hard work and determination that she displays on the court.

"I feel like the mental part for me was harder than the physical part because I had to cope with it," Colson said. "I feel like I just made it through with the help of the trainers, my coaches, my team and my family most of all. Their love and support kept me strong throughout it all."

Sydney's injury is one of the most common injuries that occur to female athletes. Studies conducted by both the NCAA Injury and Surveillance Committee and National Athletic Trainers of America concluded that women in sports suffer 3.5 times more ACL tears than male athletes.

"The injury factor is huge, particularly in the women's game," said Texas A&M Head Coach Gary Blair. "You have so many things that can go wrong with an ACL."

In her sophomore season, Colson has become a leader on the floor and the director of the Aggies' offense. Having started in 19 of the 22 games played 2008-2009 season, Sydney is scoring 5.9 points per game but leads A&M in assists, averaging 3.2.

"It's all about attitude," Blair said. "The kids see how hard she worked to get back from that ACL. People just like playing with her."

Blair named her Texas A&M's first freshman team captain. In her debut as an Aggie, Sydney posted 13 points, four assists and knocked down three 3-pointers in the season opener against SMU.

Backing up future WNBA star A'Quonesia Franklin, Colson averaged 3.2 points and 1.3 assists per game during the 2007-2008 season. Sydney said Franklin really helped her develop her game and leadership.

"It was a tremendous honor to play under Aqua," Colson said. "She's one of the best point guards I've ever seen play. She just knows the game and she was always right there behind me trying to break down what Coach Blair was trying to say."

With the arrival of freshman point guard Sydney Carter, Colson has seen her roles reverse in the off-season. Carter has matured and developed into a threat for A&M, thanks in part to Colson.

"Hopefully by the end of this year and for the remaining two years that I have here, I'll be able to lead the team like [Franklin] did," Colson said. "I feel like I just have to take over for the team and do for Sydney Carter what Aqua did for me."

Sydney was already a talented, young star before putting on the A&M jersey. As the No. 29 ranked prospect coming out of high school, Colson was the highest rated women's basketball player to sign with the Aggies. She was also nominated to the McDonald's All-American team following her senior year at Westside High School in Houston.

After graduation, Colson is looking at the potential of a career in the WNBA. She said she does not know what she will do but will take whatever comes her way.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools