A concussion is defined as a complex pathophysiological process that affects the brain, typically induced by trauma to the brain. It can be caused either by a direct blow to the head, or an indirect blow to the body, causing neurological impairments that may resolve spontaneously.
An estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million sports related concussions happen each year in the United States. Concussions are seen as an invisible injury as the only way to really check is through a couple different kinds of tests such as an ImPACT test.
After suffering from just one concussion, an athlete is three to six times more likely to sustain another one. The immediate symp- toms from a concussion are dizziness and headaches. 90 percent of athletes recover from these symptoms in seven to 10 days but it can last up to a month or in rare cases even longer.
Ask any athlete when they think they will stop playing the game they love and most of them have a choice but in Kyle Chevalier’s case it was not up to him.
As a three-year starter for the Cabrini men’s soccer team, Chevalier had one goal, and that was to earn his school and team a conference championship.
“It was awesome, I was lucky enough to start freshman year, and once I was named captain it was something that was really spe- cial to me,” Kyle Chevalier, junior defender, said.
After holding opponents to only 1.19 goals per game, the cavalier defense was a force to be reckoned within the Colonial
State Athletic Conference (CSAC). After only allowing 25 goals this season, Cabrini had a few different things they could rely on, one being a two year returning starter and their captain Kyle Chevalier.
Coming into the season, Chevalier had suffered from multiple concussions. At the beginning of the season he was unsure if he was going to be able to play but after seeing a neurologist, he was checked out and was cleared to play.
“I had three bad concussions, the doctor wanted me to stop playing then and there, but I passed the neurology test so he said I am fine for now, but I do not know what’s going to happen if you get another concus- sion, but I couldn’t stop I felt fine and I promised them if I got another concussion I would stop,” Chevalier said.
On a beautiful night under the lights it happened. He took a knock to the head from a Neumann University striker and knew the next day that he had suffered another con- cussion. With this concussion he knew that if he were to risk playing again it would only do more damage to his head.
“I kind of already knew right after the game I had another concussion, I knew it was over,” said Chevalier. “I failed the con- cussion test and just walked out into the trainers room to see Dallas waiting and just sat down and tried to process everything, and then I just had to leave the room,” Chevalier said.
“I was with Kyle when he got the news and it was the first time in my coaching career I was totally speechless,” Rob Dallas, head coach, said. “You just kind of sit there and hear the devastating news a kids career is over before it really should be and there’s nothing you can say in that moment, I was just trying to be there and be supportive for Kyle.”
I have too much to look forward to in the future. Soccer has felt like the only thing that has mattered to me my whole life,” Chevalier said. “I had to come to terms with the fact that I could seriously damage my future if I kept playing.”
“It was probably the hardest thing that I’ve had to deal with in my life so far,” Chevalier said.
After hearing the news, not only was it devastating for Chevalier but for his team- mates, as well. The key piece to the Cavalier defense and the captain of their team would never play the game he loves again.
Trying to put that news far from their minds Cabrini needed another center back and they relied on freshman defender Matt Ochmann. Ochman had seen limited play- ing time up to this point ,but was up for the task at hand.
“Chevy [Kyle Chevalier] was a big role to this team and he was a leader every time he was out on the field, so when I found out about his injury, I knew I had to do my part in filling his shoes since we had such big games approaching,” Ochman said.
Sitting and being depressed is what any normal athlete would do, after the sport that they have been playing since they were younger gets taken away without them being able to do anything. This is not what Chevalier planned on doing.
Chevalier sat down with Dallas to remain as involved as possible and he was there with the team every practice and game on the sidelines giving his teammates his full support and words of wisdom to the younger guys when he could.
“He handled the whole thing very gracefully, it is a tough thing to wrap your head around,” Dallas said. “Kyle and I had sat down and talked about it and he wanted to be still very involved with the team, and that’s the direction I was hoping Kyle would go, cause it is very easy for someone to say they can not be around it anymore but Kyle isn’t that kid.”
Chevalier had skipped the first two practices after his injury but returned to the field for their first game with a new starting back line. He knew he still had to be a leader for the team and that the guys were relying on him.
“It was pretty tough being there and not being able to play, but Dallas said he wanted me there and had me go for the coin toss and still act as their captain, and it wasn’t easy at first but it got easier and I tried to help where I could on and off the field,” Chevalier said.
Matt Ochman gained a lot of experience and wisdom from Chevalier, trying to mirror his role at center back. Which helped lead them to the conference playoffs where Cabrini rose to the occasion.
“ Kyle would always approach me before games and would give me advice for playing certain teams that he faced before, and after every game and every halftime he would be the first one to come up and give me advice on my play throughout the game,” Ochman said.
Cabrini ran through the first round of the playoffs with a blow out against Keystone College in a seven to one win. Then defeated Marywood University two to one at home to bring home the conference championship.
“It was bitter sweet, I remember with about five seconds left I just kind of ran down and sat down on the turf,” Chevalier said “ I couldn’t really process my emotions that well because we had fallen short the two years before where I had been able to contribute on the field so this time watching from the sidelines was tough, but I was so proud and happy for our team to get such a great moment for the program.”
Cabrini is coming off of one of their most successful seasons, but they are still looking to build as is Kyle Chevalier. After serving as what some would call an assistant coach to the back line he is looking forward to next year.
“Obviously Kyle was a captain for us this year in every sense of the word and I hope he will continue to serve as that next year, to have him around and continue to help the center backs he will be a great asset to us on the sidelines like he was this year,” Dallas said
“I haven’t really thought too much about next year, but I definitely still want to be a part of the team, and stay with the same group of guys I have been with all four years,” Said Chevalier “As for next year I see a repeat in the conference and maybe a little run in the NCAA tournament.”
