News  > Caitlin Howe

02/27/03 Howe's return suffers setback

By Jim Mandelaro
Democrat and Chronicle

(February 27, 2003) — Caitlin Howe recently was talking with her mother about the series of knee injuries that have stalled her standout basketball career.

“There are some things I’m very good at,” said the former Fairport High star, “but one thing I’m great at is rehab.”

Howe will have to be great again. On Tuesday, she was hit with another setback to her star-crossed career when an MRI exam revealed a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.

She suffered the injury in a Valentine’s Day practice with Duke University, when 6-foot-3 center Brooke Smith ran into her tender knee while Howe went after a loose ball.

“It was a real vicious hit,” said Howe’s mom, Lisa.

The freshman guard actually returned to practice two days later, but persistent pain forced her to seek medical attention, and the MRI revealed the tear.

She also tore that ACL twice in high school -- in a state quarterfinal game on March 11, 2001, and exactly nine months later in the first game of her senior year at Fairport.

Except for an exhibition game back in the fall, she has yet to play for Duke University, ranked second in the nation. Now, she will be out until at least next season.

Howe was traveling with the Blue Devils on Wednesday for their game tonight at Florida State and could not be reached for comment.

“She was really sad and she cried,” said Lisa Howe. “But Caitlin is the most resilient person I know. I asked her, ‘Do you still want to play basketball?’ And she said, ‘You betcha.’ “

Howe was the most widely recruited female basketball player in Section V history, choosing Duke over national powers Connecticut and Notre Dame. She was a two-time All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year and a six-year member of the Fairport varsity, scoring 2,001 points in her career.

She is scheduled to undergo surgery in two weeks at Duke University Medical Center, then begin yet another arduous rehabilitation program.

“She works like a fiend,” said Lisa Howe. “She’s always rehabbing. She just hasn’t had much to show for it (on the court).”

If Howe returns to the court next season, she will be considered a freshman eligibility-wise.

Athletic scholarships are renewed on a yearly basis, but it is extremely doubtful Duke would rescind its scholarship to Howe. “They don’t take away someone’s scholarship unless they’re a problem,” said Lisa Howe. “I have no doubt she’ll stay at Duke for four years, and they’ll pay for (her tuition).”