In the world of collegiate sports, injuries are an inevitable part of the journey. For Azzi Fudd, a standout guard for the UConn women’s basketball team, this reality hit hard. After sustaining an ACL and meniscal tear, Fudd's resilience is bolstered by an unwavering support system: her family.
During a practice session on Nov. 14, Fudd suffered a knee injury that would sideline her for the rest of the 2023-24 season. The first call she made was to her younger brother, Jon, a cross-country athlete at Mitchell College. Initially, her injury news was met with disbelief by Jon and her other brother, Jose. It was a tough moment for Fudd, who had to break the news to her parents via FaceTime using teammate Paige Bueckers' phone.
“I was in a state of devastation for her,” Tim, Fudd's dad said, as reported via Maggie Vanoni of CT Insider. “She's worked so hard to get herself right and to have this now happen again, it's like, ‘Dang, like, she has worst luck with stuff in this.’ … We felt like she had gotten over these stupid injuries and like all of a sudden, she calls and it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh. What is it? Why does this keep happening?’”
Fudd's tryst with injuries isn't new. In 2019, while still a high school player, she endured ACL and MCL tears in the same knee. Her journey at UConn has been marred by various injuries, including a foot injury in her freshman year and another knee injury in her sophomore year. This pattern of recurrent injuries has been a source of frustration and heartbreak for her parents, Katie and Tim. Despite these challenges, her family’s faith in her resilience and the support staff at UConn remains unshaken.
In the words of her dad, “Adversity hits and happens. Life is life for us right now. But it doesn't mean that you sit down, and you wallow in it and not move forward.”
Overcoming adversity with family support
The Fudd family's journey through Azzi's injuries has been a testament to their strength and unity. Recalling the first major injury four years ago, Tim and Katie Fudd shared their personal reactions and the emotional toll it took on them.
“We got home from Colorado Springs, and she was kind of hungry,” Katie said recalling the first days after Azzi’s first ACL tear. “And I was like, ‘Well, why don't we stop at McDonald's? Let's get Daddy some fries. And she's like, ‘Yeah, that might make him feel better.’ … We got home and he's sitting there, and she had fries for him. … He's like, ‘I can't do it. I'm going to bed. I can’t do it.’”
This time around, Azzi's injury seemed less severe. She could still perform basic activities and actively participated in team events. Her family continued their tradition of strong support, setting up a Christmas tree in her apartment and planning to binge-watch Christmas movies, including “Elf”, to keep the mood light.
“It's different because now you have experience on your side, like you know what it is that you're facing,” Tim said. “And as devastating as it is, there's something about having to be like, ‘If I'm driving the most difficult stretch of road in the winter and it's icy, but I've done it before, I'm a little bit more comfortable doing it the second (time).’”
The road ahead
Azzi's recovery journey is a long one, with surgery planned in Connecticut and a recovery period filled with physical therapy and rehabilitation. The Fudds are determined to be there every step of the way, already planning her post-surgery care. Katie and Tim emphasize the importance of setting small, attainable goals for recovery, believing in Azzi's strength and resilience.
“We just try to find the silver lining like ‘Hey, this is just quality time for us together,’ ” Katie said. “The hope is that she uses this to fuel her so that when she is out there; like, she's a big overthinker, you can't overthink because you never know what's gonna happen next, right? … So, let go of that. Like, don't be such a perfectionist, right? Don't be so hard on yourself.”
“She's a tough-minded, resilient kid,” said Tim.
Family has been a crucial pillar for Azzi Fudd in these trying times. The strong support from her parents and siblings, coupled with the expertise of UConn’s medical staff, forms a solid foundation for her path to recovery. As Azzi Fudd faces this new challenge, the blend of familial love and professional support lights her way forward, exemplifying the power of unity in the face of adversity.
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