For anyone interested in info about them.....[details from videoconference (and after) with Coach Mulkey, both players, and team trainer]
Incident occurred as follows: Ursin scored on breakaway [in practice]. Opposing team was inbounding and threw medium length pass. Ursin was running full speed in one direction to intercept pass, Richards was running full speed in the opposite direction to intercept pass. They both saw the other a split second before impact but could not avoid collision. Ursin’s head hit Richard’s right hip at full speed. Both players were knocked unconscious but both regained consciousness quickly. Both were lucid and able to answer all questions. Richards could not feel her lower extremities. Ursin had no other injuries, taken to hospital by car for checkup. Richards was placed in neck brace and taken by ambulance to hospital. In ambulance her loss of feeling was only below knees. Ursin was diagnosed by doctor with concussion but no other physical harm. Richards was treated by four doctors in Waco and a Neurological Specialist in Dallas. Scans show no signs of spinal cord damage.
Ursin: in Stage 3 [of 5] of uniform NCAA Concussion Protocol [used across all sports]. When she has no further symptoms [headaches, etc.] she will be moved to Stage 4. She says she feels fine.
Richards: indefinite leave. With team at practice, doing rehabilitation, but won’t play until full recovery. Fully lucid, no sign of mental damage. Does require assistance walking [balance issue]. Her rehab includes walking at 50% G on treadmill. She was happy and smiling. Her rehabilitation will follow her physical limitations. If she can do it, she is allowed to do it [monitored]. She thinks that she will play this season. Honestly, if she is playing by January that would be a super recovery.
Mulkey said she has never witnessed an injury of this type, has no point of comparison. Closest comparisons were M. Jones’ temporary loss of sight [broken orbital bone] and another player with blood clot in heart. Said she is a Mom first. Will do what is best long term for her player. Basketball not part of that decision. After recovery, then basketball becomes part of decision making process. Not handled like a knee injury, broken bone, etc. Doctors will make every decision....and only doctors.
Team will adjust. Now down 4 starters from last year. Players will be forced to “step up”. Interested to see who will become on court leaders. Richards and Ursin still leading from sidelines.
Incident occurred as follows: Ursin scored on breakaway [in practice]. Opposing team was inbounding and threw medium length pass. Ursin was running full speed in one direction to intercept pass, Richards was running full speed in the opposite direction to intercept pass. They both saw the other a split second before impact but could not avoid collision. Ursin’s head hit Richard’s right hip at full speed. Both players were knocked unconscious but both regained consciousness quickly. Both were lucid and able to answer all questions. Richards could not feel her lower extremities. Ursin had no other injuries, taken to hospital by car for checkup. Richards was placed in neck brace and taken by ambulance to hospital. In ambulance her loss of feeling was only below knees. Ursin was diagnosed by doctor with concussion but no other physical harm. Richards was treated by four doctors in Waco and a Neurological Specialist in Dallas. Scans show no signs of spinal cord damage.
Ursin: in Stage 3 [of 5] of uniform NCAA Concussion Protocol [used across all sports]. When she has no further symptoms [headaches, etc.] she will be moved to Stage 4. She says she feels fine.
Richards: indefinite leave. With team at practice, doing rehabilitation, but won’t play until full recovery. Fully lucid, no sign of mental damage. Does require assistance walking [balance issue]. Her rehab includes walking at 50% G on treadmill. She was happy and smiling. Her rehabilitation will follow her physical limitations. If she can do it, she is allowed to do it [monitored]. She thinks that she will play this season. Honestly, if she is playing by January that would be a super recovery.
Mulkey said she has never witnessed an injury of this type, has no point of comparison. Closest comparisons were M. Jones’ temporary loss of sight [broken orbital bone] and another player with blood clot in heart. Said she is a Mom first. Will do what is best long term for her player. Basketball not part of that decision. After recovery, then basketball becomes part of decision making process. Not handled like a knee injury, broken bone, etc. Doctors will make every decision....and only doctors.
Team will adjust. Now down 4 starters from last year. Players will be forced to “step up”. Interested to see who will become on court leaders. Richards and Ursin still leading from sidelines.
