Sophomore basketball player Kevin Cates will forgo his finalthree seasons of eligibility because of a health condition thatlimits his physical activity.
Cates played in all 30 games as a freshman last year, but he hasnot played or practiced this season.
The player has declined to discuss the specific nature of hiscondition, except to say in a press release that it is not lifethreatening, but physical activity could cause it to worsen.
In an era when athletes — even student athletes —often feel pressure to put their sports before all else, Cates madethe mature decision to bow out. He listened to his body and refusedto push it too far.
Even more impressive in an era when many student athletesconsider themselves athletes first and students second, Cates hasdecided to remain at Ball State to further his education.
Obviously, he didn't just come here for basketball.
And according to Chris Taylor, director of electronic media andgameday experience at Intercollegiate Athletics, Cates isvoluntarily giving up his scholarship effective next semester. Thiswill allow the team to replace him with another athlete.
Playwright Martin Poll wrote "as if it matters how a man fallsdown. When the fall is all that's left, it matters a greatdeal."
Perhaps it's unfair to characterize Cates' departure from thebasketball program as a "fall." Still, it is the effective end ofhis athletic career.
And if it's a fall, it's a fall that demonstrates Cates' grace,class and character.
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