Rebounding to form

Hard work, perseverance and toughness are characteristics that often make up successful athletes. LeAnn Fossum fits right into this category.

Fossum, a senior forward for the Columbia College women’s basketball team will likely become the Cougars’ all-time leading rebounder tonight when No. 19 Columbia College takes on McKendree College in an Amercian Midwest Conference game at Southwell Complex. She is three rebounds shy of former Cougars player Mindy Mitchem, who had 711 boards from 2001 to 2005.

However, it’s been a difficult journey for Fossum, who has been plagued with injury for most of her junior and senior years. So, she has had to fall back on those three important traits many times during her career.

“Because of the injuries we haven’t seen the best she can be, but at the same time she has been very good,” Cougars coach Mike Davis said.

During her junior year, Fossum suffered a stress fracture in her left leg. The injury forced her to wear a boot, and kept her from practicing with her teammates. It didn’t stop her from playing in the games, though.

“It takes a special person to stay focused enough to play in games when you can’t practice,” Davis said.

Doctors allowed Fossum to practice last August. Admitting that she was out of shape, Fossum worked her body back into game form, however, injury caught up with her again on Nov. 17 at a tournament in Nebraska. Fossum’s right shoulder was injured diving onto the floor during pregame drills, limiting her playing time for the next few games.

Battered and bruised, Fossum has worked her way into a starting position on the Cougars’ roster.

“I haven’t been 100 percent since my sophomore year,” said Fossum, who attributes her toughness and work ethic to her mother.

Joan Fossum helped get her daughter started playing basketball in the fourth grade.

“We always taught her to work hard,” Joan Fossum said.

LeAnn Fossum continued to play basketball at her high school in Harrisburg, but doubted whether she would continue her career.

“I didn’t think I could necessarily play college basketball,” Fossum said.

A couple coincidences led Fossum to Columbia College. Mike Davis’ son played on the same summer league team as Fossum’s summer league coach’s son. Also, Whitney Davis, the Cougars’ point guard and the daughter of Mike Davis, played in the same summer league as Fossum. This led her to visit Columbia College during her senior year of high school.

“I came to visit and sat through practice, and it was exactly what I wanted,” Fossum said.

Four years later, the Cougars are 20-3 overall, 8-0 in the AMC, and will need the senior to stay healthy if a playoff push is in order. Regardless of the outcome of this season, those close to Fossum applaud the efforts she has displayed that will most likely put her in the record books.

“It’s no coincidence that she’s had the success she’s had,” Mike Davis said.