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By Jack Carey, USA TODAY
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Bill Brown has as much on his
mind as most college basketball coaches do this time of year. Entering his
11th season at Division II California (Pa.), he's looking forward to
getting started, contending for a seventh Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference West Division title and returning to the NCAA Tournament for
the first time since 2004.
His Vulcans played their first exhibition game Wednesday at Maryland and have exhibitions Saturday and Monday at Pittsburgh and Arkansas, respectively. The regular season starts Nov. 15 against Penn State-McKeesport. But at the same time, he has something on his mind that maybe no other coach in college basketball has. Brown, 55, is starting his first season of coaching as an amputee. Last Feb. 13, he had his right leg amputated below the knee following complications related to Type-I diabetes. As he readjusts his professional life, he's also readjusting his personal life. "For one thing," Christy Brown, his wife of 32 years, says with a smile, "He can't get my tea in the morning at 6 o'clock like he used to." Brown lost the leg to a disease he was diagnosed with 20 years ago. But he hasn't lost his will to coach and persevere and live every day as an example of what can be accomplished by that will and perseverance. He calls it "learning to live life on life's terms." And his approach already is impacting his team. "His attitude is, 'Don't feel sorry for me. I'm OK. So let's move on.' The way he carries himself makes you feel nothing's wrong," says assistant coach Randy Roth. "You're going to face some adversity in life, and what are you going to make out of it? That makes it easy for everybody." Dealing with symptoms Symptoms of his diabetes began to surface two decades ago when Brown, then 35, says he lost about 22 pounds in one weekend, began to suffer from blurred vision and had an unquenchable thirst. "I was drinking pitchers of water," says Brown, then living in Dallas and briefly out of coaching. "I didn't know what was going on. I went to a hospital, and they knew right away. They told me, 'You have diabetes.' ... Once they gave me shots of insulin, my eyes cleared up, and once I got on a (regular routine) with the insulin, everything was fine." Brown began managing the disease with shots, but about four years ago he started using an insulin pump that he wears on his hip and is connected to a small injection site by a thin tube. The pump regulates his insulin intake. "Instead of taking three shots a day, I just have to change the site once every four days. It takes two seconds to put in," he says. "This is so much more convenient." Brown's recent problems started when he developed an infection from a blister on his right foot. "It got real complicated," he says. "Because of the diabetes, it doesn't heal as quickly." Over several months, and despite repeated trips to doctors, it got worse. Doctors discovered the infection had deteriorated three of the bones in Brown's foot. "At the end of January, I went in to the hospital for a weekend to do an intravenous antibiotic treatment," he says. "I thought it was going to be a two-day deal, and 28 days later, I came out with a leg that had been amputated below the knee. "They thought at first that they could save half of the foot, but when they went in and found out I didn't have bones around my ankle, they really didn't have any options. Things happened so fast, but we just made the decision to do what was best for me." After several months of rehab and getting around in a wheelchair, Brown began using a prosthetic device this summer. He walks with the help of a cane. The hospitalization caused him to miss 10 games last season, and a six-game losing streak in that time led to California's 17-11 final record. "I think the mental stress of the whole ordeal started to wear on them," Brown says of his players. Brown was able to return for the team's final home game, against division-leading Shippensburg (Pa.). "The team didn't know I was coming," he says. "I showed up for the game, and we beat them. My goal was to get back before the end of the season and sit on the bench. I wanted to hopefully try to motivate them and inspire them. "I never lost my desire to coach, and our administration was very supportive. The question was: Could I get back on my feet and be productive?" For sure, say his players. "I think he values basketball and life a lot more," says senior guard John Owens. "We're taking no days for granted. And if we take that to the court, we'll have a pretty good year." Senior forward/center Osborne Gardner IV says Brown's leadership was missed last season. "It took its toll because he's a good mentor for us," Gardner says. "It got to be every man for himself. Now, just to be under his wing again has been great." Making adjustments Brown, a two-time Mid-American all-conference selection at Ohio University, is getting his car's gas pedal changed to the left side so he can resume driving. He hopes to be able to start next spring. He also plans to play golf and exercise as much as he can. He already rides a stationary bicycle. "We didn't see this (coming). It has been an adjustment," Christy Brown says. "At home, once in a while, he can't help but feel down. But when he leaves the house, he's the Bill everybody knows and loves. (The court) is where he needs to be, and he's having a good time. It was a long winter. "You can either get down or get up. He's chosen to get up. This is the card we were dealt, and we'll play with it." It's a matter of perspective, says the coach, who will be looking to improve his 206-84 record at California. "In life, you sometimes take the small things for granted," Brown says. "Now, the small things are important. Life is more precious. Every day is a special day."
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Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr.
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