THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412080612
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Old Dominion junior center Odell Hodge is lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will be operated on later this month.
A magnetic resonance imaging test was performed early Wednesday morning to determine the extent of the damage to Hodge's left knee. During the Monarchs' afternoon practice, doctor John Schaffer delivered the news ODU's basketball coaches and trainer had feared since Hodge was hurt Saturday at Southern Illinois.
``I'm OK about it,'' Hodge said shortly after learning his season was over. ``God has a reason for everything. This may be a blessing in disguise for my future.''
That future could still include two more seasons at ODU. According to NCAA rules, a player can apply for an additional year of eligibility if he suffers an incapacitating injury after competing in 20 percent or less of the regular season.
Hodge played in four games this season. Had he played in six, he would have appeared in just over 20 percent of ODU's 29 games.
``I'm cool as ice,'' Hodge said. ``I'll go on, and will be with my teammates every day, just like I'm still playing. I will be back 150 percent.''
Schaffer will perform the surgery Dec. 28, which allows time for the swelling to go down. Schaffer and ODU trainer Scott Johnson said it will be eight or nine months before Hodge is able to play basketball again.
Hodge, a 6-foot-9 center, will begin the arduous task of rehabilitation about a week after surgery.
``Odell shouldn't have any problem being back for the beginning of next season,'' Johnson said.
The Monarchs may have problems living up to the preseason expectations the would win the Colonial Athletic Association without last season's CAA Player of the Year.
``It's a big blow to our program,'' said forward Mario Mullen, whose season a year ago was basically a wash because of back surgery. ``He's a vital part of our program. Everyone has to come together now that he's gone. Everyone has to step up a notch.''
ODU coach Jeff Capel said the Monarchs' goals don't change, but several players will have to raise their games to another level. Specifically, the onus falls heavily on two reserve interior players - senior David Harvey and junior Derrick Parker. During their careers, the pair have combined averages of 5.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and .4 blocked shots per game.
Hodge, meanwhile, averaged 19.4 points, 9 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots last season.
``Any time you lose a player of his caliber, it hurts,'' Capel said. ``But my concern right now is for Odell. I want to make sure he's ready to handle this.
``It will be a bigger challenge than any post player he's ever played against. There's no question with the technology today, his knee can be repaired. But the extensive work he has to do rehabilitating and in the weight room is something nobody can do but him.
`` ... If he responds to rehab, he can still have a great career.''
Hodge injured his knee in the first half of the Monarchs' 88-74 loss at Southern Illinois. He caught a pass on a fast break and collided with the Salukis' Ian Stewart. Hodge fell to the floor, clutching his left knee. He said he heard a pop as he was falling.
Hodge said he prepared himself Tuesday for the likelihood his season was over. The knee remained swollen, he couldn't bend it and he had trouble sleeping the first two nights, after sustaining the injury, because of the pain.
Hodge is trying to focus on the positives. He said sitting out will give him a year to concentrate on academics, and now he gets to be around Capel another season. He also is looking forward to playing an extra season with ODU's excellent incoming recruiting class, as well as transfer Joe Bunn.
``I'm hurting in some ways,'' Hodge said, ``but I'm also looking at the future.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo Odell Hodge
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