Jon Angstadt appreciates the loyalty University of Vermont basketball coach Mike Lonergan displayed during what have been some trying months for the Holy Name star.

He hopes to repay that on the court for the Catamounts, and has accepted Lonergan's invitation to be a recruited walk-on for the 2011-12 season.

Angstadt suffered an ACL tear in his right knee July 5 during a summer tournament. He had surgery and will need nearly a full year to recover, meaning he won't play for the Blue Jays during his senior season.

When other schools shied away from Angstadt following the injury, Lonergan did not.

"That was one of the big reasons why I decided to play there," Angstadt said. "They've always been there, and they've stayed with me. That was definitely a big factor."

Angstadt, a 6-1 guard who averaged 23.8 points, was in line for an athletic scholarship before the injury. He'll be able to earn a scholarship once he shows Lonergan he can contribute.

"I feel that I'm gonna get back to better than I ever was, and hopefully I'll contribute when I get there," Angstadt said. "I'm definitely happy that I landed in a good spot. I feel like Coach Lonergan does; he said he believes in destiny, and that I was destined to always go there."

Angstadt has been on Vermont's radar since he was a freshman, and the school was at the top of his list as he narrowed his choices.

"His goal was always to be in a Division I program at a great school," said Holy Name basketball coach Tony Balistrere. "He's right where he wanted to be."

"It seemed like ever since my freshman year I felt I would end up there," Angstadt said. "It felt like a fit."

Angstadt could potentially return to the court by January, but Balistrere and Lonergan advised against it.

"There's no reason to run him out there (for just part of the season)," Balistrere said. "He needs to be totally healthy (when he arrives at Vermont)."

Angstadt was an All-Berks and All-State pick last year, and finished the season with 1,105 career points.

Angstadt knows sitting out the season will be difficult.

"When something's been your life for so long, and you just love to do it, of course you're gonna want to play," he said. "You've got to learn patience and take it one day at a time."

Angstadt is currently rehabbing the knee three days a week. He's confident about his eventual return.

"Most people have told me that they come back even stronger," he said. "That's what I'm planning on doing."

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