The letter arrived on a Tuesday, and Derek read it seven times before he believed it.
Dear Mr. Vasquez,
After careful consideration of your medical records and current rehabilitation status, we have decided to rescind our athletic scholarship offer for the upcoming fall season. While we remain impressed with your talent and leadership, your recent ankle surgery and projected recovery timeline make it impossible for you to contribute to our program in the near term.
We wish you the best in your continued recovery and future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Coach Thompson, Northern State University
Derek's hands were shaking. He'd committed to Northern State in the fall. Signed the letter of intent. Picked his dorm room. Talked to his future roommate. It had been his dream school since he was fou
