Courtesy of Jermaine Dennis, Timesunion.com

http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Getting-back-on-field-a-blessing-3472970.php

Albany, NY (4/10/12)  Nicholas Capano got to the crosswalk, looked for the light to turn red and looked both ways before crossing. He never saw the Honda Accord coming at him at 35 miles per hour.

Capano bounced off the car's hood and was knocked unconscious. The next thing he remembers is the paramedics asking him questions.

The Troy High School alum broke his leg and had a head laceration and torn lung. He was forced to sit out his freshman lacrosse season at Dominican College in Orangeburg.

But Capano made his return to the lacrosse team this season and played in his first game recently just a field away from where he played as a kid.

A week before the 2011 season opener against Franklin Pierce, Capano and his friend were crossing the street on campus, heading to midterms before the winter break, when he was hit by the car.

"I did everything right," Capano said. "I was at the crosswalk, the light was red and I looked all three ways."

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound freshman was rushed to hospital. According to Capano's father, Jim, the Honda Accord got the worst of the accident.

"Nick came out with a broken leg, but the car was totaled," his father said. "Thanks to Nick's great shape, he survived the accident much better than the average person would."

Capano said the accident was physically and emotionally damaging.

"When I first realized that I had been hit, I thought my dreams of playing were shattered. It was really tough to handle," Capano said. "After working so hard for the season and to have a setback like that, it was very tough on me and my family."

Getting on the field was his goal, but first he had to wait for his leg to heal.

Capano stayed off his leg and used crutches for three months.

"It was tough that I couldn't play with my teammates," Capano said. "Never was I injured like this in my life, and not playing was disappointing and irritating."

And when everything seemed to get back to normal, Capano came to another roadblock. During his doctor's visit in April 2011, Capano was told that the bone in his leg was growing incorrectly. Surgery would have left screws and bolts in his leg for the rest of his life. Instead of having surgery, Capano chose to have the doctor realign his leg in the office by re-breaking it. Two months after re-breaking his leg, Capano started a job washing dishes in a country club. He rode his bike with a cast on his leg to get to and from work.

"It was rough. There were times when I wanted to take a break because my leg would hurt, but I couldn't," Capano said. "I could work anywhere between 8 and 13 hours a day, and being on my feet for that long was tough."

By mid-July, the cast came off. "When I took my cast off I thought, 'Thank God.'" Capano said. "I had a sense of relief. Next, my high school coach, coach Mike Hurteau, helped me get back into the best shape I could be in."

But it wasn't easy. Single leg squats, stability steps, calf raises and running all were taking its toll on Capano. During his rehab, he had doubts about playing again.

"There were times when I felt down, but my family and coaches kept encouraging to keep trying, so I did," Capano said.

Capano retured to the Capital Region on March 20 for his first game since the accident. His team faced the College of Saint Rose.

"To be back out on the field was a great feeling," Capano said. "Although I felt to be 85 percent (healthy), it felt good to be out there."

Capano's first game back was held at the field next to where he played Pop Warner football.

"To come back from injury and play right next to the field I have childhood memories was pretty cool," Capano said.

Capano is reminded of his blessings by a tattoo of a cross over the scar on his leg. It's a symbol of his gratitude to have the opportunity to play lacrosse again.