Dr. Stephen Strup '84 Discusses "Hits Below the Belt" with ESPN.com

March 11, 2016

An ESPN.com article takes a look at what seem to be increasing incidents in the NBA of "hits below the belt."  The story includes analysis from a 1984 graduate of DePauw University who has seen the sport of basketball from two sides.

Tom Haberstroh writes, "Granted, (groin) injuries could likely be prevented by wearing a cup, but NBA players don't wear them. Even Dr. Stephen Strup, the chief of urology at the University of Kentucky, doesn't recommend them. In over 20 years of practice, Strup has treated a few basketball-related injuries in the hoop-crazy state. But as a former small forward for Division III's DePauw University basketball team, Dr. Strup knows first-hand how immobilizing and uncomfortable a protective cup can be on the court."

"There isn't enough of an issue to wear a cup," Dr. Strup says. "It's hard to generate enough pressure for major injuries to occur in basketball. You see the guys go out, they're uncomfortable and they can't function a little bit, but usually they're back in a few minutes."

The complete piece -- headlined "The epic history of low blows, the NBA's most underhanded move" -- is available here. (at left: Strup in 1982)

A zoology (biological sciences) major at DePauw, Dr. Strup went on to earn a degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine.  He is James F. Glenn Professor and Chair of Urology at the University of Kentucky, where he is also director of minimally invasive urologic surgery and director of the urology residency program.

Source: ESPN.com

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