Thursday, December 22, 2005
One season is beginning, another is apparently over.

ABOUT TO START:
Filming of the Bucknell Bison for footage to be used in ESPN's The Season series.

A school official confirmed that a WWLIS' camera crew will be accompanying the Bison on their road trip to the Bay Area for the Cable Car Classic next week.

Bucknell is expected to be the focus of the first two shows of the series when it airs. No word yet on what other schools might be included or any air date.

Sources say an announcement from Bucknell will be made after ESPN makes an official release.

ABOUT OVER: It looks as if Bucknell forward John Clark will not play this season and his career might well be over due to his ongoing struggles with foot problems.

Clark was not in Lewisburg for Wednesday night's game with Saint Joe's, having already headed hoime for the holidays. Clark is expected to seek a second opinion, but the odds appear against him playing again.

Clark's injury cut last season short for the 6-7 junior from Tulsa, Okla. Clark started 13 games last season, including all 11 of the Bison's midseason win streak that included wins at Saint Joe's and Pittsburgh. Clark managed to appear in 31 of the Bison's 33 games, but was limited to spot minutes down the stretch.

It had been hoped that the foot problems would heal with rest during the offseason. In August, when that had not happened, Clark underwent surgery. During the preseason, there was talk of a January return, with Clark himself expressing confidence he would be back even sooner.

Once workouts began in earnest, though, Clark's foot problems resurfaced.

Bison coach Pat Flannery said Clark no longer comes to practice every day, but remains close to his teammates and still has a locker in the team locker room. Clark continues to work out and atttempting to rehab the foot, but has been hobbled by the injury.

Flannery said Clark can take all the time he wants to make a decision on whether or not to keep trying for a comeback.

The loss of Clark, one of Bucknell's first group of scholarship players, is softened by the emergence of sophomore Darren Mastropaolo at the four spot. But a healthy Clark would be a nice addition to the lineup, even if he were able to only provide limited minutes off the bench.

Clark played in 60 games his first two seasons, starting 17 as a freshman and 13 last season.
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