AUSTIN, TX – Garrett Williamson transferred to Concordia Texas University in the fall of 2007 from Benedictine College. He began fall workouts with the CTX baseball team for his senior season with high hopes and expectations. He completed the fall semester and went home to Louise, Texas, for the holidays.

The early morning hours on Christmas Eve changed Garrett's life forever.

Garrett was driving that Christmas Eve with a longtime friend when he fell asleep at the wheel and awoke going 55 miles an hour in a ditch. Unfortunately Garrett was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected 25 feet from the vehicle into an open field. He lay in the field for approximately three hours before an ambulance finally came. He was sent by star-flight to the Houston area where he underwent surgery the day after Christmas. Due to the wreck, he deeply bruised his spine, broke several ribs which also resulted in a punctured lung, and severely injured his neck. Garrett still does not have any feeling below the waist. A bit of good news is he did not sever his spine but the extent of the damage will not be known for several months as doctors must wait for the swelling to go down.

Currently the prognosis for Garrett is uncertain – there is a chance he may never walk again. However, because his spinal cord was not severed he does have a chance, a chance for a miracle. He will go back to Houston soon for a 4-5 months extensive rehab and the hope that his body can be retrained to walk. He took his first “throw” to recovery as he threw out the first pitch to open the 2008 Concordia Baseball season on February 1, 2008 at Keller-Faszholz Field against NCAA Division I Houston Baptist. The Tornados picked up the victory.

The Concordia baseball team is raising money in honor of Garrett to support him. The team will be hosting an event February 12 at 7:00 p.m. which will be open to anyone. Each CTX baseball player is seeking sponsors for a Long Ball Contest that will pledge a certain amount per foot. Each player will get 10 swings and the farthest distance will be used. For example, if a player has a pledge for 10 cents a foot and he hits a ball 300 feet, a $30 donation will be made. Food will be provided and the team is looking forward to a great turnout.

Garrett was a senior hoping to play one more year of college baseball and graduate with a degree in business. His accident has changed his life and his family's life forever. The baseball team needs the help from others in order to significantly impact this family. Please find time to come by the field on February 12 at 7:00 PM and help support Garrett and his family.

-Courtesy Concordia University Texas Sports Information Department