Brock makes surprise appearance at Army practice

Aug 2, 2008 - 12:33 AM WEST POINT, New York (Ticker) -- Army football head coach Stan Brock refused to miss his team's first practice of the 2008 season.

Recovering from prostate cancer surgery, Brock was not in attendance when the club started its workout but nearly halfway through the session, the coach arrived on the sidelines- just three days removed from his operation.

Brock, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer during his annual physical in July, underwent successful surgery at Middletown's Horton Hospital on Tuesday and was released from the hospital Thursday.

"I am thankful that West Point affords the opportunity to undergo an annual physical," Brock said. "It was through the course of this physical that an irregularity in my PSA test was diagnosed. I elected to undergo surgery to remove the cancer as soon as possible."

A 16-year NFL veteran, Brock was given a positive prognosis by his doctors and plans to return to the coaching sidelines full time next week.

"Fortunately, it appears the doctors were able to diagnose things early and they expect me to enjoy a complete recovery," Brock said. "I am excited to return to coach the team during preseason camp and expect to be back out on the practice field next week."

Brock participated in team meetings on Friday morning, but could not attend the start of the afternoon workout due to a scheduled follow-up medical exam. He joined the team 80 minutes into the 2 1/2-hour practice, observing the action from a golf cart.