UWSP's Wall deserved better

STEVENS POINT – One of the first lessons pounded into our heads in journalism school is the need to be objective and impartial.

We're reminded time and again not to get emotionally attached to the schools, teams or players we cover.

But sometimes you come across an athlete that leaves an impression on you that makes it next to impossible to consider him or her objectively, as just another faceless human being.

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point senior cornerback Danny Wall is one of those rare athletes who you can't help but root for — even as a journalist.

Personable and friendly, Wall flashed a smile and was quick with a "Hello" or a "How are you doing?" whether you ran into him in the halls of the Health Enhancement Center or on the practice field or on the sidelines of a game.

So when he didn't get up after executing a corner blitz with 5 minutes 5 seconds left in the Pointers' 42-31 season-opening victory over Albion College on Sept. 6, a sick feeling hit me in the pit of my stomach.

There was a gruesome sound as he got cut blocked. He barely moved as the play ended. This was no sprained ankle or torn anterior cruciate ligament. No this was much more serious. Wall had snapped the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

A hush fell over a packed Community Stadium as he rested on his back with his helmet off while trainers and doctors attended to him for approximately 20 minutes.

Soon tears welled up in my eyes, and I wasn't alone. Call me sensitive if you like, but the scene and injury hit me hard on a personal level.

A year ago we talked about how excited he was to get back to playing football, and enjoying his senior season, in 2014. He was in a boot and on crutches after breaking his ankle in preseason fall camp and missing the entire 2013 season.

This isn't fair.

When the game ended and his teammates were about to gather in the south end zone, several of them pointed to Wall as he was being moved to a waiting EMT vehicle. They could be heard saying, "Love you D-Wall."

While the Pointers deal with their only bye week of the season and prepare for a a road test at Coe College on Sept. 20, Wall will be dealing with the realization that he will be on a bye the rest of his college football career.

Perhaps we had a deeper connection that comes with growing up in the same hometown — West Allis. His father, Greg Wall, was a math teacher in my high school.

Sure he went to our hated crosstown rival Nathan Hale High School. None of that mattered once you met Danny Wall.

Maybe it's unprofessional, and my professors would scoff at my chances of having a future in this business, but the injury and scene hit me on an emotional level like rarely before.

I can only hope Danny Wall enjoys a full recovery and at some point before the season 2014 season ends, I can see him walking with or without crutches on the sidelines and we can chat again about our hometown or musky fishing.

Best of luck, Danny. Hope to see you soon.

Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill