Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Sutcliffe has nerves of steel
2/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 1, 2001
By Dave Bach
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
In 1998, Chris Sutcliffe was told by doctors she'd never pitch again.
The following year she helped lead Florida Atlantic University's women's softball team to its third consecutive Trans America Athletic Conference championship.
Sutcliffe, a fifth year senior, was examined to find the cause of the numbness she had experienced in her hand following her freshman season in 1997.
She was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, a disorder affecting the nerves in the chest and shoulder area. Sutcliffe underwent and operation to remover her first rib, relieving pressure on the nerves.
Only a few months earlier, she pitched the TAAC championship game, giving the Owls their first conference title and earning the tournament's MVP award.
But because of nerve damage in her shoulder, and the pain she would have from throwing, Sutcliffe was told her softball career was over.
"There's never been any case of an athlete having the operation and coming back to play. They said it was impossible," Sutcliffe said. "But I coulnd't take not playing. I've been playing since I was little, and I was brought here from Indiana to pitch for FAU. I knew I woulndn't be happy until I tried everything to get back in there."
Sutcliffe, 23, defied her doctors and the medical odds, and began her rehabilitation with the idea of returning to the team after redhshirting her sophomore season.
"I had to start pitching from scratch all over again," Sutcliffe said. "It was like I was 12 years old again. Rehab was really slow, and I'd have my good days and bad days. I never knew how I would throw that day and if my shoulder would show up. It was very frustrating."
She missed playing on FAU's new field, and participating in the Owls' defense of their TAAC title, but her heart and determination led her back for the following season.
Sutcliffe made 31 appearances in 1999, going 19-6 and was slected to the TAAC All-Tournament team, helping the Owls to their third straight conference championship.
Last year, she started 25-of-28 games with a 20-7 record. Sutcliffe was named to her third TAAC All-Tournament team.
Sutcliffe will stop playing after this season.
"My arm, as it has been, is day-to-day," she said. It's getting to the point where I should probably call it quits, but this is my last year and it's all or nothing."
Sutcliffe earned majors in both education and mathematics, nad is interning at Indian Pines Elementary School in Lake Worth.
