Former NCAA Champion Returns to Competition After Two Major Surgeries

Brian Chaput, a NCAA Champion in the javelin while at the University of Pennsylvania, returns to competition this month after undergoing his second reconstructive elbow surgery within the last 5 years. Chaput, the 2004 Olympic Trials runner-up, will be making his return at the US Track and Field Championships, held June 21-25, 2006 in Indianapolis, IN.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) June 16, 2006 –- Brian Chaput, a NCAA Champion in the javelin while at the University of Pennsylvania, returns to competition this month after undergoing his second reconstructive elbow surgery within the last 5 years. Chaput, the 2004 Olympic Trials runner-up, will be making his return at the US Track and Field Championships, held June 21-25, 2006 in Indianapolis, IN.

When he injured his elbow at the Reebok Grand Prix meet in New York City in June of 2005 and was forced to undergo the second Tommy John surgery of his career, many felt as though Chaput’s throwing career was over. However, Brian’s positive attitude kept him focused on his goal of competing in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

“I’m a big proponent of having a positive outlook in everything I do,” Chaput said, “I just said to myself, ‘this is not the end of the road, I’m going to make a comeback and give it everything I have.”

This comeback included hours of demanding rehabilitation and training on a daily basis over the last year. However, what is most impressive about his comeback was what else Brian was able to balance in his life. Brian has a full-time job as an Account Manager for X-Marketing, a marketing consulting firm based in center city Philadelphia. Leexan Hong, President of X-Marketing and also a former varsity track athlete at the University of Pennsylvania, was one of the few employers that was willing to provide Brian with a meaningful position while accommodating Brian’s demanding schedule.

“Leexan’s been really flexible and understanding, working around my schedule,” Brian said referring to Hong, “He’s recognized my goals and has allowed me the freedom to work on projects and run with them.”

For Hong, hiring Brian was never seen as a “risk”. What impresses me about Brian,” Leexan stated, “is that his work ethic is impeccable, his attention to detail extremely thorough, and he is very loyal – the same traits that have also led to his athletic successes.    The success that my company has had has a lot to do with him and I’m thankful for that.”

Brian is also sponsored by NIKE, New York Athletic Club, and U.S. Athletic Trust, and their support never waned despite the severity of Chaput’s injury.

“My injury gave me the chance to step back and appreciate competition,” Brian said, “I maintain a strong will to succeed, and the pinnacle of success would be the Olympics, arguably the greatest sporting event in the world. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”

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