It is the third game of the 2019 season as NCC takes on North Park University. The quarterback relays the play from the sideline and the offense gets ready for a run play. He hands the ball off to the running back on an inside zone run. Trying to burst through the hole, a defensive lineman grabs the leg of the ball carrier and while trying to fight for extra yards. Another defensive player rolls on the other leg and forces the inside of the knee to touch the ground, causing a loud pop.
Without knowing, Cardinals running back Terrence Hill, ’22, quickly gets up and heads off the field in pain. After the 77-0 victory over the Vikings, Hill would have to get an MRI. Unfortunately, the MRI came back positive and showed a torn MCL (medical collateral ligament) in Hill’s left knee. Luckily for Hill, the tear wasn’t significant enough to require surgery but it could keep him out of the season.
Hill would have to sit out for at least eight weeks to let his knee recover. Eight weeks meant he would have to miss the regular season. The only way Hill would have a chance to come back would be if the Cardinals could make a postseason run in the 2019 NCAA D-III playoffs.
First, to return, Hill had to go through treatments and rehab.
The road to recovery is not easy. The player is in pain and wants to get back on the field as fast as possible but cannot rush the process. Some players use sports as a way to escape reality. Dealing with the injury and his mother’s death, Hill didn’t have that escape.
“I was going through a tough time,” said Hill in early October. “I couldn’t play football, and I was less than one year removed from the death of my mother. Football was my escape and without that, I had a tough time. I went to rehab every day. The team athletic trainer, Lauren Paslgrove, helped me get through that difficult time. Above all, I leaned heavily on my friends and my teammates to stay positive.”
Even when things were rough for Hill, Palsgrove said he always cared about others and had a smile on his face. Hill would ask about other people’s days and wanted to make someone else’s day better. Hill did make it a top priority for himself to attend treatment with Palsgrove and graduate assistant Jeff Gargul as they came up with some exercises and stages throughout the rehab process.
“With any injury, athletes go through some sort of grieving process because they’re missing out on something they love to do,” said Palsgrove on October 9. “We encouraged (Hill) and kept him positive by pointing out how well he has progressed through rehab and how consistent he was with coming in and working hard.”
Missing time due to injury took a beating on Hill. He could get through his daily routine but was still not able to play. Hill started to isolate himself and realized that it was not healthy, as he was so used to letting his emotions out on the field.
“I would always try to reach out to him and see how he was doing,” said Cardinals running back Ethan Greenfield, ’22. “Terrence is important to our team as he boosts morale and pushes everyone on our team to be their best. When he was able to get back, he made an immediate impact on our team. Terrence is an irreplaceable human being and brings something special to the team in so many ways.”
NCC ended up making the postseason, but Hill was still not cleared for the first-round game against Wabash College on Nov. 23, 2019. With the OK to play in the second round, it left Hill with a major decision to make. Hill could either take a medical year and have another year of eligibility or forego that extra year and play. Ultimately, he decided to suit up and return to the field. This was just as NCC took on the top team in the nation, the University of Mount Union.
“Nothing was guaranteed at that point,” said Hill. “We were guaranteed one more game against the number two team in Division III and I couldn’t miss that. It was a once–in–a–lifetime opportunity and it was the exact reason why I came to NCC — to play against the best.”
The Cardinals ended up defeating Mount Union 59-52 in one of the most prolific games in North Central football history. NCC made its way to the national semifinal game against Muhlenberg College, where Hill recorded 74 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. Then, NCC took on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the national championship. On the opening kickoff, Hill ran back a 49-yard return to help the Cardinals score on their opening drive and defeat the Warhawks 41-14 to become the 2019 D-III champions.
“When he stepped on the field for the first time since the injury, he came up to Jeff and me,” Palsgrove said with a smile. “He hugged us and told us how thankful he was. I told him, ‘That was all you. You put in the work and you’re the reason you’re playing. I’m so proud of you.’ He played in a crucial moment and he picked up right where he left off.”
After the national championship, Hill’s body was beaten up. He took a couple of weeks off to get healthy. Hill fought through adversity in the 2019 season with his injury and dealing with loss. Even with these obstacles, he knew he wanted to help his team reach their goal of a national championship. He could not miss out on that opportunity, even if it meant sacrificing an additional year.
“Nothing is guaranteed. I am so thankful I was able to come back and play,” said Hill. “I took away that I need to play like every game is my last and never waste an opportunity.”
