In The Shadows
Self-motivation sparks athletes who sit on the bench.
The young athlete had high
aspirations to he a great basket
ball player He worked hard and
played hard. He set his sights
beyond high school to college
ball.
Motivation and preparation,
coupled with team spirit and in
dividual talent, helped make him
an all -state basketball player and
a likely candidate for college
play.
Yet when this young athlete
attended the University of Idaho
and played basketball for the
Vandals from 1951-55. he did
not start one game. A crushing
blow tor some, but for the young
athlete. Don Monson, the ex
perience provided helpful in
sight for his position as coach ol
the University men's basketball
team
By not starting. Monson says
he learned firsthand the
discouragement ol time oq the
bench and getting through a dil
ficult game without contributing
as much as one would like.
Determining who will play
and how much is one of the
challenges of coaching. Monson
says Each athlete has different
levels of ability, and finding the
right combination of talent,
leadership, morale and inspira
tion is an essential part of
coaching.
Playing men’s basketball all
comes down to the enjoyment of
doing what you are doing, says
Kofi Kyei. a third-year men’s
basketball player. “I know I am
getting a gixxl experience and 1
like being with the players.”
Kyei. w ho is a native of the West
African country of Ghana, has
made a new family with the
^ -
team. “It's good to be here.”
However personal reasons and
the laek of time on the court
almost led Kyei to transfer to a
different university, he says.
“This year is probably the
toughest." After a dismal
freshman season. Kyei displayed
substantial improvement only to
experience a season similar to
his first year on the team and
virtual nonexistant play, he says.
“It's hard to keep up ones
confidence without playing
much," he says.
It’s not easy for the immediate
family either. Monson says. Dif
ferent players get different
things out of athletics, and it is
not just scoring points, he says.
“One needs to realize the need
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No matter what phase of play
ing ability, however, being on
the team does have recognition,
Monson says. “It’s the striving
to become one of those that
keeps you going." he says.
“There is little difference bet
ween those who are playing and
those who aren't. It all comes
down to doing the right thing at
the right time," he says.
"Obviously it eould become a
frustrating situation (not to
play). But for many, it’s an
honor just to be on the team,”
says women’s head basketball
coach El win Heiny. Many
athletes have outstanding
recognition, and the dedication
to the team should pay oft down
the road, he says.
The increasing number of
athletes on scholarship has led to
greater team expectations and
higher levels of competition,
Heiny says. It is ironic that
many walk-on athletes, students
who participate without being
compensated via a scholarship,
have better work ethics than
those who are on a full-ride
scholarship, he says.
It is difficult for an athlete to
have a true perspective of his or
her ow n ability w ith team sports,
Heiny says. Many of the
athlete's traits are immeasurable
yet contribute to the dynamics of
the team, he adds. Some people
just make the team go.
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“Attitude must be carried
over in the court. Inspiration
comes from that," Heiny says.
Players can have tremendous
abilities yet destroy the team
because of a bad attitude, he
says.
“I say, "Why am I going
through all this?’...but I’ve
made it this far so I can go a little
bit farther,” says walk-on
freshman men’s basketball
player Curtis Wilson.
“It's everyone’s dream to
play Division I basketball,” he
says. “I used to watch them on
TV when I was young so it’s a
privilege to play for the Ducks. I
really get excited when I get
in. ”
Continued on Page 12
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