NCAA Basketball: Vermont’s Josh Speidel scores first career points on senior night

Five years after a car accident essentially ended his basketball career, Josh Speidel scores the first basket on senior night for the University of Vermont Catamounts.

Tuesday nights senior night at Patrick Gymnasium on the University of Vermont’s campus had an extraordinary feel to it.

The cast was full of stars that make up one of the greatest senior classes in the program’s history, but one player shinned the brightest of all… Josh Speidel.

Five years ago a car crash left him with traumatic brain injuries and sent him into a coma, all but ending his hopes and dreams to put on a Division I uniform. The accident left him unable to walk and talk let alone play in a basketball game. But through relentless effort and determination, Speidel worked, and worked, and worked.

His journey is a remarkable one brought to light and was published in the Burlington Free Press.

The University of Vermont left his scholarship active and he’s been an instrumental part to this program and its unrelenting record-breaking run over the last 4 years.

Coach John Becker said “I didn’t think tonight was going to be possible five years ago. It’s through his will and hard work, that he had an opportunity to do what he did tonight, which was started in a college basketball game and score two points.”

When Josh Speidel scored those two points the crowd erupted. A moment so special, even the opposing team’s bench jumped up and down in celebration.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been that nervous for a layup.” Speidel said, “I was thinking about it, it’s nice to have that nervousness, I haven’t been nervous for a game in five years.”

It was a joyous tear-filled moment for everyone there. His family, friends and a sellout crowd filled the gym on a Tuesday night that had a playoff atmosphere to it with an even more upbeat feel to it.

It was a special moment that let’s not forget, was only possible thanks to the unrivaled sportsmanship from Coach Will Brown and the Albany Great Danes. A proper thank you is in order for all who were able to coordinate the efforts into making this special tip-off moment happen.

Everyone was engaged and certainly will not forget one of the biggest baskets in program history from one of the program’s greats. Speidel was set to be an all-time recruit, but with a twist of fate that no one saw coming. It all came to fruition in one unforgettable moment. Speidel will also graduate with a team-high 3.4 GPA according to the school and will continue to cheer on and motivate his squad as they will try to win claim another America East Championship.

A title that would grant the Catamounts an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Again giving us the opportunity to witness the greatness of college sports, on one of its biggest stages.