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ben cronin

Cronin's Season Comes to an End Comment Count

Tim
cronin.JPG

Michigan fans hoping for the ability to play with more size later this year will have to hold tight for another year, and Ben Cronin fans are out in the cold, as he may never play college ball again:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's basketball coach John Beilein announced today (Tuesday, Dec. 29), redshirt-freshman center Ben Cronin (Syracuse, N.Y./Hemminger HS) will miss the remainder of the 2009-10 season, and more than likely the remainder of his career, as he continues his rehabilitation on his left hip.

"Above all, our chief concern has always been for Ben's current and future health," said Beilein. "Following his hip surgery last season, we were hopeful that Ben would be able to return for this season.

"Unfortunately, there have been complications with this particular injury which have prevented him from progressing like we had hoped. Consequently, Ben will not play the rest of this season, and more than likely for the remainder of his career. This is a very difficult decision that has everything to do with the quality of Ben’s life after basketball.

"Obviously this was not an easy decision to make, but we agree with our doctor's assessment that Ben's chances for a full recovery and to play a full time college basketball schedule are slim. He will remain on scholarship and we will continue to support his rehabilitation and pursuits of becoming a teacher and coach."

"This has been a long process for my family and me, however, after meeting with our doctors I feel it is best for my long term health to focus on my hip rehabilitation and stop playing college basketball,” said Cronin. "I really appreciated basketball and I will miss it like crazy, but my faith will help me get through this. I continue to have wonderful experiences here at the University of Michigan and I am truly grateful for all the guidance and opportunities given to me. I am looking forward to continuing my rehab, having the opportunity to finish my degree and helping this program in any way that I can."

Cronin missed the majority of the 2008-09 season following season-ending surgery on his left hip, Jan. 14, 2009, at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Following his summer rehabilitation and being granted back his freshman eligibility from the NCAA, Cronin returned this season, but has been limited in his playing time due to the hip injury.

Overall, Cronin played in seven career games at U-M averaging 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds.

Career-ending would be very bad news for Cronin, as well as the team. The silver lining is that it would open up an additional scholarship in the 2010 or 2011 class, with which Michigan would most likely offer a big man. Amir Williams out of Country Day is a big prospect in the '11 class, but it remains to be seen if Michigan can even wait that long.

Might we see the redshirts of Blake McLimans and/or Jordan Morgan be burned later in the year?

Comments

Drake

December 29th, 2009 at 1:43 PM ^

I really hope that he is able to come back but if he isnt able to, I wish luck with the rest of his academic career at M and his life after school. Tough break for a good kid.

Joined: 07/30/2009

MGoPoints: 15

champswest

December 29th, 2009 at 1:43 PM ^

This is really sad for the fans and the program, but it is a heart breaker for Ben and his family. I wish Ben all the best and hope that he continures to have a meaningful UM experience.

Joined: 10/04/2009

MGoPoints: 25921

dahblue

December 29th, 2009 at 2:54 PM ^

Certainly is bad news for Cronin, but he'll still be able to get a great Michigan education. Horford is a strong lean and the coaches knew that they'd have an extra scholarship for next year. That allows us to sign both Zeigler and Horford (assuming they want to come to UofM). That would be an extremely strong recruiting class.

Joined: 11/09/2009

MGoPoints: 5253

UMaD

December 29th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^

Watching Cronin try to play made me cringe. Its a tragic situation for the kid, but it sounds like he's making a good decision for his future. I'm not sure what his prospects as a player were prior to the injury, but he didn't seem like a good use of a scholarship after the injury. Hopefully Cronin makes the most of his education and the bball team makes the most of the available scholarship.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 4960

mattbern

December 29th, 2009 at 3:05 PM ^

Obviously hate to see this happen to him, but he wasn't doing anything for us. I'd rather have another scholarship open to get someone who can stay healthy and make an impact on the team. Best of luck to Cronin in his future endeavors.

Joined: 09/11/2008

MGoPoints: 333

steve sharik

December 29th, 2009 at 2:26 PM ^

...or perhaps it's sport-specific, but I don't think it would be good to pull this young man's scholarship. The agreement is basically that the player comes to play basketball here and the university will pay for his education. He injured his hip playing basketball, so I don't think it's right that he lose his scholarship. I know basketball is unique b/c there are only a few scholarships available and the pressure to win is great, but I think it would be in the best interests of Beilein's program and the moral fiber of the University of Michigan that we not pull the rug out on a young man whose future health is now jeopardized playing a sport he was asked to play. In my opinion, Beilein and the U need to send the message to current and future student-athletes that they (Beilein & UM) will not turn their backs on a player if he/she suffers a career-ending injury and that they will honor their end of the bargain.

Joined: 08/08/2009

MGoPoints: 13860

steve sharik

December 30th, 2009 at 1:03 AM ^

...I didn't know what other conclusion to draw: Fuzzy Dunlop: "No one was ever suggesting that his scholarship would be 'pulled'..." Mat: "...he didn't seem like a good use of a scholarship after the injury." mattbern: "I'd rather have another scholarship open to get someone who can stay healthy and make an impact on the team." So pardon me for not being familiar with NCAA rules and actually responding to others' comments.

Joined: 08/08/2009

MGoPoints: 13860

pullin4blue

December 30th, 2009 at 9:13 AM ^

I think the point Sharik was trying to make was that when the Michigan coaches are sitting at the kitchen table with the family of a prospective recruit they can demonstrate that they have the best interest of the athlete at heart and will honor their comittment to the scholarship. It's a classy thing to do, and perhaps part of the "Michigan Difference". Good luck to Ben.

Joined: 08/14/2009

MGoPoints: 1597

Poster Nutbag

December 29th, 2009 at 2:59 PM ^

It's sad to hear the news about Ben. I hope all goes well with the surgery and rehab! While he may never play again, could still be an asset to the team and coaches. I wish Ben all the best and a speedy recovery!

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 1104

Plegerize

December 29th, 2009 at 3:06 PM ^

Man that is very unfortunate. We really could have used him to help out our team, but much like what has already been said on here I wish him good luck in figuring out where to go next in life and pray pray pray that he decides to stay and finish up school and do something great with his life. Glad to hear the team is sticking with their commitment to him and keeping him on scholarship.

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 1807

Don

December 29th, 2009 at 3:30 PM ^

which was basically very little—this is not really going to hurt the team. Since he's going to stay on scholarship (which is the appropriate thing to do IMHO), he can still be a positive presence in the locker room and on the bench, if he chooses. It's a tough thing to have to give up what was certainly a dream for him, but he's making the correct decision. He's obviously a good kid with his head screwed on straight, so with his UM degree in his pocket he will do fine.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148382

V.O.R.

December 29th, 2009 at 8:41 PM ^

It is a tough break for both Cronin and the Michigan basketball team. I'm sure, coach B was hoping that Cronin would be able to contribute espcially during the Big Ten season. The bigger body would help espcially with his defensive rebounding and shot blocking abilities. Michigan can really use some size under the boards, causing opposing teams to account for him. It is difficult to read at the present whether or not coach B will burn the red shirt of either, McLimans and/or Jordan Morgan, but I believe if he thinks he has a shot with Morgan he may burn the shirt, especially if he's healthy. If he gets an early feel that the season is a loss he might leave things as they are.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: 13

Section 1

December 29th, 2009 at 11:04 PM ^

I was at the Coppin State game, and was fortunate enough to have seats about four rows off the floor at center court. Ben Cronin could not move well in the warmups. His gait is now very awkward, very tilted and everything he does on the court looks slower and more uncomfortable. Everyone could see it. But that's not what I wanted to post about. I was close enough to hear the guys talking to each other, and to see, clearly and up close, exactly what their expressions were. And I am not sure, but that the one player having the most fun, and who had the most joy-filled expression on his face, was Ben Cronin. And there was no second place, really. Mind you, I had absolutely no knowledge of this latest news. We knew about his injury and rehab; and we knew what we were seeing. Ben Cronin simply could not have appeared any happier, wearing a Michigan uniform, and being part of this team. He got into the game with a little less than four minutes to go. He labored; it appaeared to me that his court awareness was fine, but he could just not move the way he wanted to and the way that he knew he needed to. But he was clearly so totally happy to be on the court and in the play. He had a huge smile on his face just about the entire time he was on the floor. This is a guy who would give his all, would do anything for this team. I'm not big on campaigns or anything like that, but I can't think of anything better, than to put Ben Cronin in a uniform on Sunday, and make him an honorary starter against Ohio State. Let Ben get the pre-game announcement, come out to center court, and let Crisler Arean roar, for about a ten-minute standing ovation, for Ben Cronin. I'm going to send a couple of e-mails suggesting this. Does anybody else have any other ideas along similar lines?

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 16535