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By admin, on March 17th, 2011%
 Indiana State University Basketball Player, Isiah Martin I grew up on the south side of Chicago. It was pretty rough. My mom didn’t let me outside much. I pretty much just went to school. I was a straight A student first through sixth grade. Then basketball was introduced into my life around seventh grade. I went to a new school. It was high school that branched off with an eighth grade program. I didn’t start playing until seventh or eighth grade. That was new to me. Everybody had always told me I needed to play because I was so tall. I wasn’t that interested in it. I always watched Michael Jordan and what not. But, my dad and mom didn’t put a ball in my hands. They didn’t force it upon me like some people would have. I just came around and started playing and I started to love it right away. My mom has been there more so than my dad, but my dad is always around. He has done more lately that he did at the beginning. I actually learned how to play from my friends from around my neighborhood. We used to pull a goal out and play on the playground. We didn’t have much room but they taught me to shoot at the square. I didn’t have a jump shot at all, at first. Just shoot at the square and that is how it all started. That’s where it all started.
I have a few cousins that play. They live in Ohio, Delaware- Columbus area. My dad played in high school. My mom wasn’t into sports, she was a model. My grandparents didn’t play. I am pretty much the first one to go somewhere for it. Do something big sports wise.
Continue reading In His Own Words – Isiah Martin
By admin, on March 8th, 2011%
Family…my dad’s name is Jeff, my mom’s Kelley and I have 2 younger sisters. One sister, Jaime, is a sophomore, she plays basketball at Iowa. She’s had a great career so far. It’s fun watching her play and my younger sister, Jenna, is a 7th grader this year. She’s big into dance. She’s got all these dance competitions that are fun to go to and watch her. I’m real close to my family, –talk to them all the time.
My mom ran track one year at Iowa and my dad played basketball in high school and played at a junior college close to home for 2 years. Sports have always been a big part of our lives. My sisters have had a pretty big career too. We’re all pretty close. We’re a pretty close family.
I’ve always pretty much been just basketball. In high school that’s the only sport I played. Middle school I did run track and stuff like that but mainly its always been basketball. I do like to golf in my free time.
I joined the Martin Brothers AAU team out of Iowa. I joined that after my freshman year in high school. We had some tournaments that summer and I started getting some letters and more recruiting after that. So I’d say college recruitment really picked up my sophomore year of high school.
At first I was getting letters from lot of all the Iowa schools, Iowa, Iowa State, UNI, Drake, then recruitment started branching out a little bit and then my college offers ended up being from here (Indiana State) and them Indiana State, Evansville, Drake, Wright State, and Wyoming were my five major offers. Then decided to come to ISU.
Continue reading In His Own Words – Jordan Printy
By admin, on February 16th, 2011%
 Carl Richard My mother and father are still together. I have an older brother and older sister. My brother in high school played basketball the first two years. He was the number one guard in the state. He got caught up with his friends and girls, so he stopped playing basketball. I didn’t seriously start playing until about my sophomore year in high school. My father wasn’t a constructive basketball player. He didn’t play on school teams but he did play on club teams. He wasn’t really skilled. All he did was rebound. That was his thing. He lead all the leagues he played on in rebounds. My mother didn’t get into sports. My sister was a cheerleader.
I started getting attention my very first varsity game in my junior year. We played against Eisenhower; I had eighteen and thirteen, something like that. I received my first college letter. I thought basketball was just fun. I didn’t think I could do anything with it. I received my first college letter and I was like, “Oh wow”. I thought,” I can actually play somewhere”. We won state my senior year. We were having a pretty good season. It seemed to me that my teammates couldn’t get me the ball where I needed it. I don’t know if they didn’t know how or if they just didn’t want to. There was one game that I had thirty points and maybe fifteen rebounds. That was my highest points I made in one game and we lost. I think it clicked right then that, “ maybe we should just get him the ball and good things will happen”. None of my points were coming from them passing me the ball. They were just from offensive rebounds, me getting the board, me pushing coast to coast. Then it clicked and we ended up winning State. They just got me the ball and they found out that I am not selfish.
Continue reading In His Own Words – CARL RICHARD
By admin, on February 2nd, 2011%
 Growing up, I was always played sports, I was into baseball and basketball especially. Playing basketball really hit around third grade I started playing on a local AAU team, for Bobby Moore. The Terre Haute Wildcats, that really got me kick started, that was big. I still love Bobby Moore to this day and the players on that team. RJ (Mahurin) was actually on that first AAU team back in third grade. We have two other kids that were on that team playing baseball here at ISU now. I think eight out of ten of us are playing Division-1 sports now. From that team right there… from third to eighth we made a solid case of unity. We really learned how to play team basketball. That is where it originated, how I approach the game of basketball. Hard work and you get what you put in. I feel like if you put hard work and time into something you can be whatever you want to be and however good you want to be. I started off at that (AAU) and then went on to Woodrow Wilson and played three years there. I kind of got a chip on my shoulder when I went there because they we all about Terre Haute North. I was all about Terre Haute South so I decided I needed to work hard. I lived on the tennis courts over there playing basketball since my house was a couple of blocks away. I was there every day before and after practice, before school shooting on the courts. I moved on to high school…. Coach Saylor is a great coach. He put me in a system where I was able to develop my game. He had me in different areas, distributing and scoring. He taught me many things that I still use today in the game out here in the college level. I didn’t realize what he was doing back then but now that I have been through four years of high school and two years here (ISU) I realize what kind of path he put me on in high school.
Continue reading In His Own Words – Jake Odum
By admin, on January 24th, 2011%
My Dad played basketball in high school. He actually has the rebounding record for most in a game in high school. He had twenty-six (26) or something like that. He claims that is what he got in the season but, he’s just being modest. My brother played… he was really good in high school. He has a lot of records in high school. He played at the University of Southern Indiana for four years. He was recruited by I U and schools like that. So he was pretty good. My sister played volleyball in college down in Tennessee. One of my uncles played college basketball at Oakland City. It’s in the blood a little bit, I guess.
My family is great. They are very supportive. My Mom and brother come to every home game. My Dad comes when he can. Just yesterday, Sunday, some of my high school teachers and athletic director came to the game. That was pretty neat. My whole family came up. They are really supportive. I love them.
I am a marketing major with a minor in sports management. I should graduate in May. I have to take fifteen (15) hours to get my diploma. I’m looking forward to that. It is kind of bitter sweet. I will be out of college and into the real world but it’s time to grow up.
It is surprising how fast college life goes. It flies, it seems like yesterday we were just freshmen. Little naïve freshmen not knowing what college life is all about. Not knowing what it takes to make it in college athletics. It has gone by fast but I have learned a lot and I have grown a lot, both as a freshman and a basketball player. It has been really fun.
Continue reading In His Own Words – Aaron Carter
By admin, on January 13th, 2011%
 Jake Kelly My accident, I have a stress reaction. It is basically, like,… a prerequisite of a stress fracture. It is where the tissues around the bone in my middle foot are inflamed and weakened. I have to really take it easy. I have to wear a boot when I am not on the court. I can’t practice for at least two weeks but basically the diagnosis is day to day. It is just about what pain I can bear or if I am having any pain at all, I can’t play. If I get a stress fracture then I will have to have a surgery.
I grew up here. I moved away when I was twelve years old. I stayed in touch with my close family who lived around here. I came here on the weekends with my dad all through high school. So it’s definitely my home. During Christmas and holidays I am home. I am visiting family. That’s definitely nice. I can see them whenever I want instead of two or three days that I was allowed at Iowa for Christmas break.
My family understands my schedule and everything. When they call me at night and I don’t answer they know I am probably just resting and tired and don’t feel like talking. At times when we have family get-togethers, if I have a late practice they understand if I don’t make it. I don’t hear any bad things from that side. As far as that being a distraction on being on the court… it can be. I came back because I wanted to be around my brother and I wanted the support of my dad. Also to help my brother out. I am doing that. He is living with me. None of that is a distraction. It only makes you stronger I guess. It’s just part of life.
Continue reading In His Own Words – Jake Kelly
By admin, on November 21st, 2010%
 Bryant Kent Home for me is Indianapolis, Indiana. I went to North Central High School. It is in the northwest region of Indianapolis. I have a younger brother in eighth grade. I have a sister who is a freshman in college. I also have my mother and father. My sister swam. She doesn’t anymore. She was All-American in high school. My brother plays year around baseball, basketball and football. He is making the transition to high school. He is pretty solid in all of them; I think baseball is probably his best.
In my sophomore year in high school I ran a 4.8 in a forty. I was fast but I didn’t have the break away. My junior year in high school I went out for track. I found out I was good at it. From there …and as well as in college, I learned how to run and the proper way to run…the techniques and opening strides. It definitely helped me get breakaway speed. It helped me go from a 4.8 in a forty to a 4.3 now. Track definitely helped — it got me the speed I have now.
I have a few mentors. My Dad for one. He taught me everything I know from football and every sport I played. He played sports all through high school. He had a basketball scholarship to play in college. However, he couldn’t go because his father was in the army and he got shipped overseas. I have always idolized him. He taught me everything. I just always wanted for him to be proud of what I did and just do it for him. I grew up watching sports — most kids do. Football players, I always watched football, Jerry Rice was one receiver in that time and that was somebody I watched. I watched him and how he ran routes. He wasn’t the fastest guy out there but he worked for everything. He created a work ethic in me. To me hard work pays off.
Continue reading In His Own Words – Bryant Kent
By admin, on November 13th, 2010%
 Obaseki Hometown for me is Washington, Indiana. I was born in Houston, Texas. My family moved to Washington when I was pretty young. So, I have been calling Washington home since elementary school. My parents met in Texas. They came back here because that is where my mom is from. She had a lot of family. They wanted to come here while my Dad finished school and to raise a family. I have two brothers, a sister and a cousin that has been lived with us since I have been growing up. My brothers are older. The oldest one is a dentist he lives in Evansville right now. The second oldest brother is a senior at I U,…he is going for business. My sister, is a senior in high school at Washington right now. My cousin is in her last year at grad school at IU to become a reporter.
My brother, Derek, was a really good running back at Washington High School. He had a lot of the records for a long time. He wanted to play a year in college but, he decided to do his school work. My Dad is from Nigeria. He was a professional soccer player in Nigeria for a couple of years. My other oldest brother he is a good athlete. He is a really good basketball player. He just played in high school.
Right now I am studying physical therapy. I hope to go on and be a physical therapist after I graduate. It is a new program here at ISU. I think it is going to be opening next semester.
There is nothing I really hate about myself, but people notice my lisp, I kind of have a lisp. It’s not a big deal to me. I kind of brush it off my shoulders. My lisp can be embarrassing sometimes. When you first meet me I can be a kind of a shy guy at first, but when you get to know me I am definitely an outgoing and fun person.
Continue reading In His Own Words – Ben Obaseki
By admin, on November 5th, 2010%
 Brock Lough My hometown is Terre Haute IN. South-side of Terre Haute. Down where they call it Youngstown. My parents separated when I was a little kid. My Dad moved to the north end of Terre Haute. My Mom and my little brother moved to the south side of Terre Haute. I actually have friends from all areas. Growing up playing youth football and stuff like that.
My Dad played football in high school. My Mom she was a cheerleader and played tennis. My little brother is a very good wrestler and football player at Terre Haute South right now. If I could do it all over again I would have wrestled too. It makes you a better football player.
I am studying Communications and International Studies. I would like to work in an embassy or become an ambassador after college. That would be my goal.
Role models in life would probably be my Dad and my Mom. Being separated, they still raised my brother and I really well. I think they did a really good job. Not bragging on myself, … my brother and I we were a load, but we stayed out of trouble. A role model around this area, a local guy, Mel Burk, he was my running-back coach in high school. I got pretty close with him. My Dad was always my coach in football growing up so he is probably my role model. My role model in football is Jim Brown. I like the old school guys Gayle Sayers. In high school they gave me the nick-name “Throwback” because I liked to play like the old school guys.
I am just a pretty laid back guy. That’s why I like playing football. I just get out on the field and let loose. I am a Christian I value my faith heavily.
When I graduated high school I wanted to play right away. Everybody does right out of high school nobody wants a red shirt. I told my Dad, if Coach Miles got the job at ISU that would be one of my main choices. He did get the job and he told me if I came here I might have a great shot at being on the field my freshman year. I came in as a linebacker and in camp I was moved to the fullback position. Because some guys got hurt or were moving around not getting the job done. I was very fortunate… enough to get to play. I actually started every game my freshman year and I have since. I missed a couple of games. I was hurt last season I think I missed three games. I have started every game since I have been here I have been very fortunate to do that.
Continue reading In His Own Words – Brock Lough
By admin, on November 4th, 2010%
 Ryan Roberts I am from West York, Illinois. It’s a small country town, out in the country. A lot of country boys. It fits me perfectly. The population is no more than one hundred, probably. If you blink, you will miss it if you drive by. You have to really look for it.
I have a Mom and Dad, Greg and Jeanae. Two siblings Matt and Mandy, they have two children each. So I am an uncle. My Dad works for Heartland Labels in Marshall. My Mom, she’s a great lady. She does everything I ask; she helps me out a lot. She’s always there for me… she even helps me clean my clothes when I don’t have enough time. I have a great family, very loving. They are always out to watch the games. They’re always good… very supportive of me. I love them very much.
My Dad was a pretty good basketball player in high school. My brother played basketball. Sports has always been my favorite thing to do, especially growing up. My Dad really likes playing basketball, so that was the thing when I was little. Football was the thing I started. Nobody in my family played football. I was the first one. I was pretty good at basketball. I went to a small school. We were usually around five hundred each year. I played almost every position on the floor. I had to score a lot of points so that was fun. I was a two sport athlete. I played basketball and football. When I wasn’t playing one I was playing the other. Half of the year I was playing basketball, like travel AAU. The other half of the year I was working out getting ready for football. I guess you could say I was star of both sports. I averaged around thirty points in basketball in my senior year. I ended up being the all time school record holder. I passed my Dad. My Dad was third on the list. It was fun passing him I gave him a hard time about it. I couldn’t have done it without my high school teammates. It was a great experience for me. My school was about one hundred and twenty students. I had about twenty in my graduating class. Yeah, we had a football team. We had a co-op with Palestine high school which was only about 15 miles from Huntsville. My senior class was my best friend, Tyler Terry and I. We were the only seniors on the football team, from our high school. It was fun.
Continue reading In His Own Words – Ryan Roberts
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