Master’s Hankinson Cleared to Return to Coaching Post : College basketball: Mustangs’ mentor makes unexpectedly rapid recovery from diverticulitis.

Making an unexpectedly rapid recovery from a lingering colon infection, Mel Hankinson, The Master’s College basketball coach, was cleared by doctors Tuesday night to return to coaching.

Hankinson, whose condition was diagnosed in October as diverticulitis, was expected to undergo season-ending surgery.

“We just had a real, real early Christmas present,” said Hankinson, who will be on the bench for the Mustangs’ game Saturday at La Verne. “It is as if the antibiotics finally kicked in. For that to turn around that quickly, it shocked us.

“Right now we are on a joyous high,” he said of his wife, Joan, and his two sons.

Asked when he could return to practice, an eager Hankinson said: “Not until tomorrow (Wednesday).”

The Mustangs (3-5) have been coached by assistants Mike Huff and Tom Jamerson.

“Part of our record has to do with playing a tough part of our schedule,” Hankinson said. “And part of it is replacing nine (seniors).”

Hankinson, 49, received a stack of cards from many of the nation’s prominent coaches, including Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, Ohio State’s Randy Ayers, USC’s George Raveling and Nebraska football Coach Tom Osborne.

Cal State Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy, who was sidelined for eight games at the end of the 1990-91 season because of a similar condition, telephoned with a few words of advice.

“That’s always encouraging when you’re feeling sick and your colleagues respond,” said Hankinson, who said he gained a new perspective during his 2 1/2-month absence.

“Being off made me realize how much I enjoy coaching the game,” he said.

He also took stock of his priorities.

“We have such intensity on our occupations in America we get tunnel vision,” Hankinson said. “And we miss the enjoyment of things on the periphery. When you’re down on your back you see who is important, what is important, and why.”