Kutch Beats Odds; Earns 1,000th Point

Until last week, only 13 players had ever scored 1,000 points in the history of The College of New Jersey women's basketball program.

Yet, it is doubtful that any of the previous milestone earners did it with the work ethic or flare that Kelsey Kutch did.

The Hillsborough native battled an odd back and leg injury that threatened to end her basketball career, yet persevered to reach the 1,000-point milestone during the Lions' 67-39 win over New Jersey City University on Jan. 21.

"I thought it would be the same as scoring 1,000 points in high school was," Kutch said of the milestone. "But it feels much better."

Kutch started 82 of the Lions' 87 games her first three seasons, including 32 in 2008-09, helping TCNJ reach the Division III Final Four. She also led the team in steals that year.

As she prepared for her senior year in October 2010, Kutch felt tingling in her back and legs. Soon, she lost all feeling in her legs and could not walk, let alone play basketball.

"It was like there was electricity shooting through my legs and back," Kutch said.

Kutch had to choose between trying to gut out her senior season, or sit the season, redshirt, and pay tuition for a fifth year and hope she could play again.

"I wanted to go out on my own terms," Kutch said. "I didn't think it was going to be possible, but there is life after basketball."

Even still, she chose the latter, a decision that proved to be one of the most difficult she's made.

"It was harder than anything I've ever been through," Kutch said.

Kutch recalled the one night she tried to attend a Lions game last season serving as the team's manager.

"I cried the whole night," she said. "Watching all the seniors go through stuff without me made me depressed and sad."

Despite sitting in purgatory for the entire season 2010-11 season, and watching the girls she entered TCNJ with graduate, Kutch returned this fall looking for closure. She was cleared by trainers to play in August 2011, but was as nervous as a freshman entering the season, and still had to get into game shape for the year.

"I was worried going into the year," she said. "I didn't know what my role would be."

But Kutch has averaged 26 minutes per game this year, averaging 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. But when she poured in a season-high 15 points against the Gothic Knights, reaching the 1,000-point plateau, Kutch's teammates-- respectful of the work she had put forth-- were there to rightfully congratulate her.

"Teammates were coming up to me and saying they had chills and that they could not stop shaking because I had achieved it," Kutch said. "I didn't think people cared, but they genuinely were happy for me."

With just five guaranteed games remaining in her basketball career, Kutch is finally looking forward to the beginning of her professional life. However, another run to the NCAA tournament—still a possibility—is on her mind.

"We definitely have enough talent to get to the postseason," Kutch said.

But as she finishes her double-degree in history and secondary education, finding a job as a teacher, and more importantly coaching, is at the forefront of her mind.

"I really hope I can find a job," Kutch said. "Basketball has been in my life for so long now, that I'd love to find a job where I can teach and coach."