Gloger’s patience is tested

Barry colleges column for Monday edition.Jeff Gloger, the most prolific thief in UC Irvine men’s basketball history, continues to deal with the sobering feeling of being robbed.

Still recovering from reconstructive surgery on a torn ACL in his right knee, the fifth-year senior guard said recently that nothing will be known about his status this season until at least Jan. 23.

Gloger, who is still not cleared for any activities that remotely simulate game situations, said he meet with his doctor at that time. A machine will measure the strength of his leg and, he said, “the integrity of the graft.”

Good news would clear him to test the knee in competition. But even the most optimistic timetable would preclude a return to game action before February.

By that time, the Anteaters will have only seven regular-season games left.

The chances of obtaining an extra year of eligibility are not good, UCI officials said, because Gloger already used a redshirt year.

Gloger, who has produced 167 steals in 86 games at UCI, continues to apply the same determination to rehabilitation that he did to attacking opponents on both ends of the floor.

But as the weeks and games mount, he said it has become increasingly difficult.

“Being out here is really tough.” Gloger said before the Anteaters’ nonconference home game against Loyola of Chicago on Dec. 22. “To be honest with you, it’s tougher every game. I listen to the coach give his motivational speeches, but I have to just sit here and I can’t do much about it. I’d like to be out there playing and traveling with the team.”

Gloger attends most practices and all home games and said he tries to support his teammates as best he can. But he remains home when the team goes on the road and his rehabilitation schedule also forces him to miss occasional practices when the team is in town.

Injured in late May, he came down with mononucleosis soon thereafter. The illness delayed surgery until July, precious weeks he would like to have back.

He said he rehabs five or six days a week and, at the very least, is intent on resuming his active lifestyle.

“Even outside of basketball, I love to compete, whether as part of a team or going to the club with my brothers or my dad,” he said. “That’s what kills me the most -- not being able to do the things I was able to prior to the surgery.”

* The Anteaters (4-7), who have lost four straight and six of their last seven, obviously miss Gloger. He has averaged 8.9 points, 5.2 rebounds 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals in his three previous seasons.

* The Vanguard University women’s basketball team continues justify its lofty credentials.

Ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division I, the Lions posted an impressive 100-71 win over Morningside College, the two-time defending NAIA Division II champion ranked No. 4 in its division this season, Friday at the Surf City Classic.

After witnessing the Lions talent, balance and depth firsthand, I’m convinced the program’s first national championship is well within reach. Injuries, which have plagued the program in recent years despite its success, may be the only stumbling block.

Transfers Jessica Richter and Tiari Goold are big reasons for the 9-0 start, but junior veteran Kelly Schmidt, who had a season-high 32 points and 14 rebounds against Morningside, remains the team’s unflinching foundation.

“Consistency is her middle name,” Coach Russ Davis said of Schmidt, a two-time All-American and the reigning Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Schmidt said the team is still coming together, but she couldn’t hide her enthusiasm for the longe-range potential of the squad.

“We have a lot of new players and I feel like each game we’re getting a little better,” Schmidt said. “At times, we can see how good we can be and it’s exciting just thinking about [the future].

“Losing [2005 NAIA Co-Player of the Year Lisa Faulkner, now an assistant coach] was tough, but I don’t think we’ve really missed a beat.”20060102h272nzke(LA)