In a desperate lunge to grasp that immortality, Sales fell to earth with a crash and a ruptured Achilles tendon in a game Feb. 21 and faced the prospect of ending her career just one point short of the school's all-time career scoring record. Instead of finishing her college basketball career satisfied with all of her accomplishments, Sales accepted an intriguing plan concocted by UConn head coach Geno Auriemma and agreed upon by the Big East commissioner and coaches. She would camp under the Wildcats basket at the tipoff, guaranteed an uncontested layup. To even the score, Villanova was also awarded a free layup as well. This display of selfishness not only sparks concern over the attitude athletes take to the game, but also cheapens the efforts of those who have played hurt, through the pain, without the coddling of their coaches.
Injuries are a part of sports.
Games cannot be postponed or replayed because the star player called in sick. At the collegiate and professional levels the athletic arena belongs to those who are physically superior. While injuries occasionally occur as a result of tragic accidents, they are more often products of poor conditioning or preparation. Although there are strict boundaries and rules that keep games from degenerating into complete chaos, the buzz of anticipation, the hope that something out of the ordinary can happen gives athletic competition a sense of wonder that is almost impossible to stage. Kerri Strug helping the 1996 Olympic gymnastics team win the gold despite tumbling on a bum ankle.