Triumph From Tragedy
September 13, 2008 08:15 AM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
September 13, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Mention the date Jan. 27, 2008 to women’s soccer forward Deana Everrett and she doesn’t talk about a chilly, winter day on campus in Morgantown.
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| Deana pictured recently with her father John Everrett.
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For Everrett, the date brings back memories of the greatest fear she’s ever felt in her young life. It’s a date involving tears and sadness; of fear and concern. A date forever etched in her mind as “life-changing.”
“It was around 9 in the morning and I was just waking up for the day,” recalls Everrett. “I was in my apartment when my uncle called. It was just the beginning of a nightmare.”
John Everrett, Deana’s father, was seriously injured in a car accident that late January evening.
“There was instant panic because I was so far away and had no idea what was going on there,” says Deana of hearing the news. “It couldn’t have been more than five minutes before Nick (her boyfriend) and I jumped in the car and started driving.”
During Deana’s seven-hour drive home to Canada, she discovered her father had suffered severe brain injuries, fractures to his face and ribs, a punctured lung and a broken arm.
To make matters worse, her mother, Mary, could not be there to comfort her ailing husband. She was out of town in Florida.
“The crazy part is my mom was out of town so I called my sister, Vanessa. She had just heard the news and the two of us just sat there and cried to one another.”
Deana finally arrived and was reunited with her family at the hospital. John remained in critical condition for more than a month.
“We prayed a lot,” says Deana of the days following the accident.
The Everretts also received a care package from the West Virginia soccer team, hoping to lend support from 350 miles away.
“It was so cute,” says Deana. “The very first day at the hospital we received a big bouquet of flowers and a letter of support. That is the kind of stuff you don’t expect. All of the coaches and my teammates were there for me.”
The situation at home forced Deana to miss nearly three weeks of classes in the spring semester. Even when she returned to school, her father’s health remained a focal point.
“I would talk to my family for hours and hours when I came back to school. It was tough not being there,” says Deana. “What was great, though, was I could call the hospital and speak directly to his nurse. I could get the latest update from those caring for him. I did that a few times.”
Numerous prayers and an upbeat approach have put John well back on the road to recovery. Hours upon hours of intense physical therapy treatments have helped him back on his feet.
“He’s doing well,” smiles Deana. “With severe brain injuries, they expect him to be tired for the first few years. But he is so positive and is really doing well. Time is the best thing for him now, to let his body heal.”
This past June, Deana and Vanessa made sure they did something special, something to show their parents how much they care.
“It was probably the best Father’s Day ever,” smiles Deana. “My sister and I actually put together a slideshow of all kinds of pictures of our family and from when my mom and dad were younger. It was a neat surprise for my dad.”
As proud parents, John and Mary were familiar faces in the stands of Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. John has made it a priority to return to the place where his daughter excels on the playing field.
“They are hardcore fans and make the trips as often as they can,” notes Deana. “They’ve been supportive of me throughout my career. They never forced me into soccer and it was always my thing. But having their support is so important to me.”
John was determined to see Deana play as many times possible in her final season. In fact, he and his wife made the trek to Notre Dame two weeks ago to watch the Mountaineers play Loyola Marymount and nationally ranked Santa Clara.
“It was a good feeling knowing they were coming,” says Deana. “Looking into the stands and seeing them was very reassuring. My dad is awesome. He worked so hard to get back to where he is now. He is doing it for my family.”
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| Vanessa and Deana Everrett on Father's Day.
Submitted photo |
Deana is doing her share for the West Virginia program, totaling 34 goals (third-most in school history) in 67 career games played before Thursday night’s game against Kentucky. The three-year starter is a two-time All-BIG EAST selection and was named a Soccer Buzz Third Team All-American in 2006.
The speedy and tactical striker has worked hard to become a threat to score every time she touches the ball.
“Nikki (Izzo-Brown) has preached hard work since the day I arrived,” says Deana of her head coach. “You do have to sacrifice some things for success, but the results are worth it.”
The work ethic can also be attributed to her father, whose determination and effort was on display for his youngest daughter at every physical therapy appointment.
“There are times when I might get a little tired and I’ll think about my dad. And to see first-hand the pain that he has experienced, me being tired doesn’t even compare,” says Deana. “He’s an inspiration to me in so many ways.”
Motivation can come from a lot of different places. For Deana, it now solely comes from her father.
Three weeks into her final season wearing the Old Gold and Blue, Deana leads the team in points with two goals and one assist. She netted the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Loyola and scored a goal in a 1-1 draw with Washington State last weekend.
The psychology major has added the title of team captain to her resume, accepting the added responsibilities with open arms.
“I’ve always been a leader by example rather than being the vocal-type,” explains Deana. “This season I have focused on being more vocal though and have accepted that leadership role. It is a big responsibility but I enjoy having it.”
Under Everrett’s direction, the Mountaineers are off to another successful start. She and her teammates are looking for another BIG EAST Championship and a first-ever trip to the College Cup.
“Winning the BIG EAST and a Final Four trip is the goal,” says Deana. “We accomplished so much last year but this team is very talented in its own right. This team wants to continue to raise the bar.”
While the on-field success continues, the off-field picture has changed for Everrett. A storybook ending to a highlight-filled soccer career has quickly widened the perspective for a maturing, young lady.
“The accident was just something you never think is going to happen to you or your family,” says Deana. “And then when it does, it’s really eye-opening. You just all of the sudden realize what’s important in your life.
“I mean, soccer is a huge part of my life, but I now realize how important family is. Any day can be taken away from you. I wake up each morning thankful.”
It’s rare in today’s society to find a young person with an optimistic, yet realistic, outlook on life.
“Through tragedy comes some good,” says Deana, sincere in every word. “It’s been an interesting year. I’m really close with my family, and this has brought us even closer. And I think I am a better soccer player and a better person as a result.”
Seeing how her father has battled adversity it is clear Deana will follow the same path of success in tackling any obstacle in her way.
