Balham Takes Medical Exemption; Named Student Assistant Coach

Lincoln --- Nebraska basketball coach Doc Sadler confirmed Monday that forward Chris Balham has decided to take a medical exemption for the 2009-10 season and will end his collegiate playing days because of recurring knee problems that have plagued him throughout his career.

 

“This was a tough decision for Chris, and it’s difficult for him to deal with and will be difficult for our team not having him on the court,” Sadler said. “But Chris met with the doctors and they were honest with him, letting him know how serious the matter is with his knees and how, even though he’s taken the summer off from playing, his knees are not getting better. They won’t get better, so it’s in his best interest to stop playing now and have a chance to be healthy later in life.”

 

Despite hanging up his jersey, taking the medical exemption will not mean that Balham has to leave the team. An August graduate from Nebraska with a double major in Spanish and international studies, Balham will remain on scholarship for this academic year and will start graduate-level courses but will not count toward NU’s scholarship limit. While he takes classes, he will be a student assistant coach with the Huskers, allowing him to sit on the bench during games and travel with the team, per NCAA rules.

 

Keeping Balham involved in the program was important to Sadler.

 

“Chris has given us everything he had every time he stepped on the court,” Sadler said. “He’s a part of our family and while he may not be able to physically play, he will be an important part of this team this year.”