library 10 injury feature wildy html
Dr. Amanda Visek, GW Assistant Professor of Sport & Exercise Psychology discusses the challenges athletes face when rehabbing injuries.
LUKE WILDY - MEN'S SOCCER
Luke Wildy almost didn't make it to GW. The Crawley, England native's status as an incoming member of the men's soccer team was still in limbo leading up to the squad's preseason training in mid-August 2006.
"The process of getting admitted as an international student-athlete at GW and with the NCAA is a very extensive one," said Mr. Wildy. "There were delays awaiting visa confirmation, as well as several lengthy trips to the U.S. Embassy in London."
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"I came very close in the U.K.," said Mr. Wildy of his dream to play professionally. "The opportunity to play for GW was a `second chance' to reach my goal. My ideal dream was to have a successful career at GW, break into Major League Soccer and one day return home or to Europe to play in the pros."
After all the red tape cleared, he eventually crossed the Atlantic Ocean to join the Colonials' camp, and his career began later that month with great expectations and promise; expectations that the center midfielder was going to help the Colonials men's soccer team recapture the Atlantic 10 Championship crown they previously won in 2002 and 2004.
The promise was shown almost immediately as Mr. Wildy scored two goals in his first 30 minutes donning the Buff and Blue, spotting GW a 2-0 first-half lead against District-rival Georgetown.
However, as swift as his success came to fruition, it was stripped away. While leaping to volley in his second goal, Mr. Wildy landed awkwardly on his right leg. There was no celebration, typical after such a superbly crafted goal, as his 5-foot-11 frame lay writhing on the pitch. GW's sports medicine staff tended to the injured freshman on the field for several minutes before helping him to the sideline. A few hours later the diagnosis was in - a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral meniscus.
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Rehabilitation took seven months - two months bound by a brace following surgery, then three months of increasing strength exercises and another two spent reintroducing the sport through on-field drills.
In a sport where athletes are in near constant motion for 90-or-more minutes, Mr. Wildy's recovery began earnestly. "At three months, I could very gradually begin running on a treadmill, literally for one minute the first day!"
Mr. Wildy's skill was back on display at the start of the 2007 campaign. He scored a goal and was named to the All-Tournament Team in helping the Colonials claim their first DC College Cup title. A week later in Longwood, VA, he lifted GW to a victory over North Florida by converting a penalty kick in overtime and again earned All-Tournament honors.
"When returning from my first injury," recalls Mr. Wildy, "I had goals of returning to the level that I was at prior, pushing GW forward as a program and furthering my own career in soccer beyond college."
On Sept, 29, 2007, Mr. Wildy suffered another setback on a seemingly innocent play in a match against Mount St. Mary's. The surgically repaired ACL and meniscus had torn again.
Mr. Wildy endured another grueling seven months of rehab, and the taxing injuries combined with time spent away from playing had taken their toll on his full potential.
"After my second injury, my focus switched to one of just `surviving' and getting through a college season with no recurrences."
He completed his final two seasons at GW in 2008 and 2009 without any further complications, starting 20 times in 27 matches and dishing out four assists in the two seasons.
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It was during his second rehab stint that he took the opportunity to focus on life away from the sport he loves. "I literally switched off mentally from anything related to playing soccer and was able to live a life away from the game in a new country and new city."
Mr. Wildy turned his attention to the classroom, being named to the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll with a 3.5 grade-point average or better in Spring 2009 and serving on GW's Student-Athlete Advisory Council as a senior. He completed his bachelor's degree in exercise science and graduated last month.
Even though multiple injuries ravaged his dream of a professional playing career, soccer continues to serve an integral role in Mr. Wildy's life. "I have made Washington, D.C., my home for now, and I'm going to pursue a possible career in the sports world, beginning with coaching soccer in the area and taking coaching certification courses. I feel I could go far in coaching and being in the district provides great opportunity."