Written by Josh Streimer

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Since the beginning of organized sports there have always been debates on which athletes have endured the most adversity, which sport is most dangerous and the most heated topic, if girls are as tough as, or tougher than guys are.

With much discussion, it was a clear that the toughest athlete at NSU is not a baseball player; it’s not a soccer player, nor is it a track and field runner or member of the nationally ranked swim teams. Many athletes do not have the mental or physical toughness to overcome career ending injuries with either the fear of re-injury, or not reaching the talent that they once competed at.

This student-athlete can be compared to a seven time NBA All-Star who made the All-NBA team in 1997and was named to the All-NBA second team four times, Phoenix Suns Forward, Grant Hill. Through Hill’s 15 year career he has sustained multiple injuries that many thought he would not be able to come back from. Like Hill no injury has kept this athlete from playing the game they love. This athlete has endured 24 injuries throughout their career at NSU, and after all 24 injuries they returned stronger both physically and mentally.

The toughest athlete stands six feet tall and is a Forward on the women’s basketball team. Meloney Fosburgh (Sr., Phoenix, Arizona) is THE TOUGHEST ATHLETE at NSU.

During her four years at NSU, Fosburgh has battled through and overcome three shoulder surgeries, one concussion (seven in her basketball career), hip labral tear, a fractured foot, a partially torn ACL and labrum to go along with a bone bruise on her knee (the same one that was partially torn) and most recently 15 stitches in her upper lip. Not very many athletes would be able to endure half of the injuries that Fosburgh has faced let alone overcome them.

When asked why she gets injured so often and violently Meloney could only describe it as having “bad genes.” Meloney is different from normal athletes. She doesn’t ask or want any pity from her peers, and she definitely does not want to be treated any more differently than any of her other teammates. Assistant coach Kathrine Higier said, “I have never given (Meloney) any different treatment. She does everything the way everyone else does it.”

Meloney may have troubles with staying on the court because of injuries she endures, but she excels in getting herself back out onto the court with her die hard work ethic during the rehabilitation process.

Women’s basketball athletic trainer Amy Reckard said, “Out of the athletes we have come in, a majority of them need (us) to push them to come in. Then there are a few select athletes that just come in, because they know it will make them better. Meloney is of that caliber.” Abbie Tepe (Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio) who has been a teammate of Meloney’s all four years said, “She never takes herself out of practice. I would call her the toughest athlete at NSU. I have never heard her complain once about any of her injuries, and she has (had) a lot of injuries.”

Meloney is one of the most self driven people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. She displays every reason why she has earned herself title “NSU’s Toughest Athlete” when she said, “I am not ever going to let anything prevent me from accomplishing what I want to accomplish. So no matter what is in my way it is just a matter of time before I overcome it.”

Just because Meloney is the toughest athlete at NSU doesn’t make her the meanest. Actually it is quiet on the contraire; Meloney said “I consider myself to be the mother of the (basketball) team.” Meloney set a new career high in games played in a season, this year after playing on Senior Day for the Sharks against Florida Southern.

Meloney is not only active on the basketball court and in classroom, but she also holds a job as the intramural and facility supervisor at the Rec Plex and was an Orientation Leader this past summer. Meloney looks forward to bringing her tough, never-say-never attitude with her when she goes to Graduate school next year. Meloney looks forward to one day becoming a physician’s assistant.