AFA's Welch has second knee surgery

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 26, 2004 | by TODD JACOBSON THE GAZETTE

When Air Force junior center Nick Welch attempted a fadeaway shot in an informal practice two weeks ago, the sudden pain in his left knee was a bit too familiar.

A year removed from surgery to repair an osteochondral fracture, the co-Mountain West Conference player of the year felt his knee buckle again -- and he knew it wasn't good news.

Thursday -- three days shy of the anniversary of his last surgery - - Welch went under the knife again as doctors removed cartilage and scar tissue from his knee but found no other damage.

Welch, who averaged a team-high 11.4 points and four rebounds last season, won't take to the court for at least two more weeks but is expected to make a full recovery.

The 6-foot-8 center was hindered for several months after last year's surgery and missed the first game of the season.

"It was a big scare, but hopefully it's just a little change," Welch said. "They basically cleaned out my knee, changed the oil, put in some fluids."

Welch hadn't complained of pain in his knee since having surgery last summer, but the knee began to hurt during a one-on-one game against sophomore Ryan Teets two weeks ago.

Welch tried to play through the pain but realized surgery was necessary as the pain worsened. At one point, Welch could feel a small ball of scar tissue rolling around in the knee.

X-rays and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test revealed no damage, but doctors recommended arthroscopic surgery to clean out the debris left from the last surgery.

"Last year I had surgery before the season, and we came out with a Mountain West Conference championship," Welch said. "If I have to go through a little surgery and repeat last year, I think I am fine with that. I don't see it as being a big factor. I think I will come back."

TV time

Despite the objections of some coaches, Mountain West Conference games will continue to be televised as a part of ESPN's Big Monday package, and Air Force will grace the screen twice this season.

Coach Chris Mooney said Air Force's games at Colorado State on Feb. 7 and at New Mexico on Feb. 14 will be televised on Big Monday at 10 p.m.

Air Force has never made more than one appearance in a season on Big Monday. Mooney also said a Saturday afternoon home game against Utah on Feb. 19 would be an ESPN-Plus Mountain West "Game of the Week."

Recruiting loss

Air Force's most recent recruiting class will have one major omission. Danny Brown, who was recruited by Air Force coaches and played forward for the academy's prep school last season, has accepted a financial aid package to play at St. Louis University instead of attending the academy.

The 6-4 forward was expected to make the Falcons' varsity roster this season and was among the team's top three recruits.