Jesse Byrd done at UC Santa Barbara

From the Gaucho athletics site comes this sad news about for Bishop O'Dowd star Jesse Byrd:

October 9, 2009

UC Santa Barbara forward Jesse Byrd will not play his senior season with the Gauchos because of a re-occurrence of an injury to his left knee, head coach Bob Williams announced Friday.

Byrd first suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee in the closing minutes of a game at San Diego State on Dec. 21, 2008. He sat out nearly six weeks after having surgery, returning to action in late January. During the spring, Byrd began experiencing more pain and ultimately he was forced to have a second procedure on the knee. Consultation with doctors resulted a season-long rehabilitation program to ensure long-term stability of the injured knee. The decision effectively ends Byrd's basketball career.

"We fully support Jesse's decision," Williams said. "We're saddened by the loss of a team-leader, both on and off the floor, but Jesse's long-term health is also our top priority. He will continue to be involved in the athletics department and with men's basketball throughout the 2009-10 season."

Byrd will remain on scholarship and is expected to graduate in June of 2010.