Feb. 22, 2000

WACO, Texas - Baylor women's golf coach Sylvia Ferdon is recovering from a burst appendix she suffered two weeks ago and has returned to coaching the squad on a limited basis.

Ferdon, in her sixth year at Baylor, had emergency surgery at Waco's Providence Hospital on Feb. 3 to remove her appendix. Doctors in Waco suspect some cancer is present. Ferdon will undergo further tests at Houston's M.D. Anderson Hospital Mar. 2.

"I feel great," said Ferdon. "(Baylor athletic director) Tom Stanton has been so supportive throughout this, and I appreciate the concern that he and the rest of the Baylor community has shown. Their kind words and prayers have carried me through and have given me a most positive outlook on this experience."

Ferdon did not accompany the team to last weekend's tournament in Tucson, Ariz., where the Bears finished third among 10 teams. Fifth-year senior Sorrel Richmond, along with Baylor assistant athletic director Paul Bradshaw, handled the coaching duties in Ferdon's absence and will continue to do so until further diagnosis of her condition.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Sylvia and her continued recovery," said Stanton. "Sylvia is tough and she's a battler. I know she has what it takes to fight her way through this."