North Carolina State University Athletics
PEELER: Horning On Recovery Path After Surgery
7/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH, N.C. – Geri Horning was in the middle of giving another phone update on her husband David’s progress from a life-threatening brain surgery Wednesday afternoon when, with a little help from the Duke University Hospital staff, he got up and walked for the first time since he suffered an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture at his home on July 11.
The former Wolfpack football standout and long-time athletics department administrator had been in the intensive care unit since undergoing surgery on Monday and Tuesday of last week to remove a tangle of blood vessels in the brain.
“Oh, hot dog,” she exclaimed. “He’s up and walking.”
Later Wednesday, Horning was moved out of the ICU unit and into a transition room. He hopes to be out of the hospital by next week.
“We feel really blessed by God,” Geri Horning said.
It’s been an intense and frightening week-and-a-half for Horning, who lettered from 1978-80 at outside linebacker for the Wolfpack and has been a member of the athletics department staff since 1984. He is currently the department’s senior associate athletics director, responsible for internal operations, men’s basketball and football.
But, thanks to a quick reaction to get him to the hospital by his wife, and exceptional care at Duke by neurosurgeon Ali Zomorodi, Horning is expected to make a full recovery, after a three-to-six month rehabilitation.
“We will be forever grateful to the Blue Devils at Duke who took care of him,” Geri Horning said. “We cannot say enough wonderful things about the treatment he has received.
“I cannot tell you how many times the hospital staff have commented on what great family and friends we have. They have been so impressed by how caring and concerned people have been for David.”
Athletics director Lee Fowler has spent much of the last two weeks at the hospital, waiting for updates on his friend and co-worker. He’s been struck by how many former athletes, administrative staff and NC State extended family have expressed concern for their friend and colleague. Fans can send get-well wishes here.
“Over the years, David has influenced hundreds of student-athletes, and they are all reaching out to him right now,” Fowler said. “There have been an incredible number of people who have come by, called and sent cards.
“It’s been great to see how many people have offered to help, after all that he has done to help them for so many years.”
Horning, a native of Kent, Ohio, played for two bowl teams and the Wolfpack’s 1979 ACC Championship team. In fact, he was in the middle of planning a 30-year reunion for his former teammates the day before he suffered the intracranial brain hemorrhage.
After his playing career ended, Horning spent six years as a strength and conditioning coach. After earning his masters degree from NC State in 1990, he became the academic coordinator and assistant recruiting coordinator for football for two years. In 1992, he became the assistant athletics director for Academics.
Over the years, he has overseen the construction of the RBC Center, the Murphy Center, Vaughn Towers and numerous other facility enhancements.
For now, Fowler and the rest of the athletics department is relieved that Horning seems to be on the road to recovery.
“He is going to do really well and recover quickly,” Fowler said. “Things really look good, and we really appreciate all the support from ex-athletes and the people in the Wolfpack family.”
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
