Bev Kearney UT coach

[Lizbv]

Does anyone know if Bev Kearney, coach of Univ Texas Longhorns Womens Track is SCI or just has a "back injury"? She stood with a walker at the Texas relays, and says now she will walk in a few months. Her accident was in Dec 02. I don't know much about her but she says she'll fully recover. Wise, are you familiar w her? What do you think.

[bill j.]

Kearney To Undergo Additional Surgery On Thursday, Jan. 2 In Florida
Ilrey Sparks' funeral services to be held on Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Frank Erwin Center.


Jan. 1, 2003

UT Athletics mourns the loss of Ilrey Sparks following automobile accident

Kearney' continues to improve; special educational benefit fund established for Imani Sparks in memory of Ilrey Sparks

AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas women's track and field head coach Beverly Kearney will undergo additional surgery for her back on Thursday, Jan. 2, and will remain in Shands Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida for the procedure. Kearney learned of the need for additional surgery on Tuesday (Dec. 31) evening.


Surgery is scheduled Thursday morning. The surgery is to further stabilize a disc in her lower back. On December 26, Kearney underwent five-hour emergency surgery to repair fractured vertebrae and re-align her spine following the fatal car accident that injured three and killed two.


Kearney continues to make progress in all other areas, physically. Following surgery, it has not been determined when Kearney will be flown back to Austin to continue her long-term rehabilitation. She had been scheduled to return to Austin as early as Friday, Jan. 3, but the newest surgical procedure will delay her release from Shands Hospital. Kearney has had support from family members, friends and UT staff members since being admitted to the hospital last Thursday.


ILREY SPARKS FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Funeral services and a celebration of life ceremony for Ilrey Sparks, who lost her life on December 26th in the fatal car crash which also seriously injured UT head track and field coach Bev Kearney, were announced on Wednesday.


The funeral for Sparks, 40, will take place next Thursday, January 9, in the Burnt Orange Room of the Frank Erwin Center, located on Red River on the UT campus. The funeral is public, and will take place at 12 p.m.


Further details on the service, including parking information, will be available at a later date.


An educational trust/benefit fund for Sparks' young daughter, Imani (3), has been established by her god-parents (Dr. Randa Ryan and her husband, Steve Klepfer, along with LaGwyn and Andre Durden). Further information on the Imani Sparks Benefit Fund, set up at the University Central Federal Credit Union (with branches throughout the greater Austin area) can be found on www.TexasSports.com (http://www.TexasSports.com).

[Lizbv]

surgery to repair fractured vertebrae and re-align her spine following

so, no SCI?

[Wise Young]

sorry, liz. I do not know her. It sounds as if she did "break her back". I am glad that she is walking, however. Wise.