Long Road Back
photo: Kaz Novak, the Hamilton Spectator
The most successful coach in the history of Redeemer University College athletics returned to league action in Welland for the first time since cheating death more than six years ago.
John Byl, who on June 30, 2003, was struck while cycling by a drunk driver, leads the Redeemer Royals women’s volleyball team into its 2009-10 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association season opener against the Niagara Knights.
It’s been a long journey on the road to recovery for Byl.
The Redeemer professor of physical education suffered a broken leg, a separated shoulder and serious head injuries in the accident. He still tires easily and loses concentration.
“When you’re on a bicycle and you get hit by a truck, you lose,” Byl said at a recent Royals practice. “And I’ll lose for the rest of my life.
“I constantly have headaches. I forget things, so I’ve got to script myself a bit more. With volleyball, I’m pretty well scripted in terms of who does whatwhere.”
Get the full story from Larry Moko, Hamilton Spectator
