Luhmann Making The Most Of Second Chance
ASHBURN, VA - Every athlete who has ever worn a uniform knows the risk of playing sports. Injuries happen, but seldom do we see high school athletes prepared for how to cope with the type of injury that shuts down a promising high school career for more than a year. For Broad Run's Adam Luhmann, that scenario became a reality at the end of his junior season of football. A shoulder injury that was described by his doctor as potentially career ending, forced the starting free safety in football to the sideline and a promising right handed pitcher for the Spartans to the dugout.
It was a role that Luhmann wasn't prepared for. He watched his friends enjoy a district championship in baseball, then a perfect 10-0 season in football. While he couldn't have been more excited for his school and his buddies, it was also agonizing.
"It was extremely difficult watching both baseball and football win a district championship," Luhmann said. "I was happy for my guys because I know how much time and effort they put in to get to the top, but I definitely would have liked to play a bigger role in helping the team achieve their goals."
The chances of resuming a pitching career after surgery can be slim, but after months of rehab and hard work, Luhmann is about to give it a go. This spring, he is currently working hard to regain his spot in the Spartan's pitching rotation with starters Cole Shain and Trey Brocke. He has also spent time working on his hitting at Diamond Sports Training, one of the places he has worked at while his shoulder was healing.
During his absence from playing football and baseball, Luhmann joined the Gameday Radio Network staff last fall as a production engineer. His responsibilities included overseeing the production of a high school game every week while ensuring that it made it to Gameday's worldwide audience online on Friday nights. That experience gave Luhmann a new outlook on a potential career path, but more importantly, kept him busy during what he called, the toughest night of the week.
"When I first got the opportunity to be apart of the Gameday team I was excited to be more involved in the football atmosphere even though I was not going to put on the pads. It got hard at times hearing the big hits or watching a big touchdown run, but there was no better feeling than watching Broad Run beat Park View for the district championship."
Luhmann could end up being the best feel good story of the year if his return to the field goes as planned. The truth is though; Luhmann just wants to be on the diamond again with his teammates. The wins and losses are important, but the last 12 months for Luhmann have given him a new perspective about high school sports.
"Missing twelve months and two full seasons gave me plenty of time to really think about how bad I wanted to get back on the field," Luhmann said. "I really learned the meaning of hard work and pushed myself harder than ever to be ready for the baseball season. I don't want to be the kid that is congratulated just for making back on the field. I want to be better than I ever was before and get the Spartans their second consecutive district championship."
If his right shoulder can withstand the rigors of the challenging baseball season, the Spartans might just have the best pitching rotation in the Dulles District. Head Coach Pat Cassidy is hoping Luhmann can contribute this spring, but he is even happier to see Luhmann get the opportunity to finish his athletic career with one more chance to play the game he loves.
"After sitting out last year, he has been voted a Co-Captain by his teammates which shows that his teammates appreciate and respect him for what he has been through and for what he brings to our team both on and off the field," Cassidy said. "I am looking forward to coaching him again."
There are more than just a few people who are cheering for the soft spoken Luhmann, but his mother Jan Johnson, who watched painfully as her son had to watch from afar as his friends celebrated their successes on the field of play, is ready to cheer the loudest.
"He is such a team player and I am so proud of him and how he has handled himself throughout this healing time," said Johnson. "Lots of kids would give up and quit, but not Adam. I think this experience has made him stronger physically and mentally. I am so excited to watch him play baseball this spring."
While this baseball season is the only thing on the top of Luhmann's mind, he does admit that he is hoping he can continue his playing career at the next level. Luhmann has visited the likes of Appalachian State, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech in recent months, but is still undecided where he wants to go to college. That decision will likely wait until after his senior season is over.
"After surgery, I discussed things with my parents and realized it was better for me to focus on the books and go to school strictly for an education. I got accepted at the University of South Carolina, but wherever I go, I will be studying pre-business," said Luhmann.
The lesson that every high school athlete can learn from Adam Luhmann is simple. Sometimes things don't go as planned. Sometimes, your character is tested in ways you weren't planning for. As Luhmann did, when life threw him a curveball, he handled it with grace and humility, and because of his hard work and determination, Luhmann will get to throw a few curveballs of his own again for the Spartans this spring.
