Injury Ends Season for Titans’ Caldwell

Cal State Fullerton center Matt Caldwell will have surgery for a recurring shoulder injury next week and will be sidelined the rest of the season, Titan Coach Bob Hawking said Wednesday.

“He’s a guy who competed at a high level for us, and is going to be hard to replace,” Hawking said. “His ability to do a lot of different things will be sorely missed.”

Caldwell, a 6-8 junior, was averaging 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, second on the team behind Ike Harmon’s 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Caldwell said his shoulder had gradually worsened to the point that it became apparent he could not continue playing this season.

“The shoulder was loose and unstable, and he was unable to continue to compensate for it,” said Dr. Miguel Prietto, a team physician. “It’s caused by repetitive injuries. We had offered him surgery earlier last fall, but he wanted to try to keep playing.”

Caldwell said the pain has steadily increased.

“I could tell that I had torn it more,” Caldwell said. “The pain had gotten 10 times worse than what it was at the start of the season. I was looking at possible permanent damage, and the doctor said I had to stop playing. I sort of feel like I’m letting the team down, but I’ve talked to all of them, and they understand. I want to be able to have a normal life after basketball.”

Caldwell said the rehabilitation time will be six to eight months. “But I fully plan to be back playing next season,” he said.

Caldwell missed one game previously this season against St. Mary’s because of a sprained ankle suffered against Montana State. He was expected to be sidelined for as much as two weeks, but returned after missing only the one game.

Caldwell missed two days of practice last week because of his shoulder, but came off the bench to score 19 points in 23 minutes against Patten College.

“If I can do what I did this season hurt, I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do next season healthy and pain-free,” Caldwell said.

Sophomore Josh Fischer replaced Caldwell in the starting lineup in the last game, but Hawking said he had not made a decision about a lineup for tonight’s home game against Eastern Kentucky (5-3). The Titans are 3-5, but have won their last two games at home.

“It’s unfortunate for Matt and unfortunate for us,” Hawking said. “But we have to move on. It will give some other people an opportunity to step up and show what they can do.”

Hawking said he hopes freshman forward Dan Thompson, who has twice been sidelined by a stress fracture in his right foot, can play again soon. Thompson scored 13 points against St. Mary’s when Caldwell was sidelined.