2017 Freshmen Fundamentals
BIG EAST Freshmen Learn The Fundamentals
NEW YORK – “We want to help you carve out your own career to be a better student, a better teammate and get on a successful path wherever your life takes you,” said Stu Jackson, BIG EAST Senior Commissioner for Men’s Basketball, to a group of 35 attentive BIG EAST freshman basketball student-athletes from all 10 BIG EAST institutions.
The BIG EAST Conference hosted its third annual Freshmen Fundamentals in New York City on Sept. 16-17. Freshmen Fundamentals is a program designed to educate and assist men’s basketball student-athletes in the transition from high school to the elite level of BIG EAST basketball on and off the court.
“We want you to make the most of your college experience,” said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. “It’s a big deal that you’re part of our 10 great institutions, and we hope you’ll take some of the things you learn this weekend back to campus,” Ackerman added, noting she played basketball as a collegian at the University of Virginia. “I carry my student-athlete experience with me to this day.”
Saturday’s program started with a Personal Brand Presentation from DeNita Turner, President and CEO of Image Builders, Inc. Turner, who has spoken in all three years of the program, conducted an interactive session designed to create a positive personal image. She stressed the importance of creating a strong first impression when meeting people inside and outside of college athletics. She encouraged the student-athletes to write down their personal goals and told them never settle to be average.
A panel of former BIG EAST players spoke about their college experiences. Tarik Turner, a former St. John’s standout who has enjoyed a career in business finance and as a FOX Sports analyst, hosted the panel which included former Villanova star and NBA player Randy Foye, former Creighton All-American Doug McDermott, the 2013-14 consensus National Player of the Year, and Seton Hall’s Jerry Walker a standout from 1991-93, who won BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors and played on two BIG EAST Tournament championship teams.
The players offered views from adjusting to college life and a higher level of basketball to making life plans after playing careers are over. Among the thoughts given by Foye was to lean on your teammates when dealing with some challenging emotions because there is a good chance teammates are going through the same issues. McDermott told the players to make sure they enjoy the ride and not get too caught up with the outside distractiions. Walker said his professional career was made more successful by developing a strong relationship with his academic advisors as well as taking the time to meet people outside of athletics at campus events.
Dan Broden, President of Broden Communications, also spoke for the third straight year and conducted a media training session. He stressed that players take control of an interview situation and use it as an opportunity to deliver their message regardless of the situation. The players took part in mock press conferences to help illustrate Broden’s points.
The players also heard a talk on Relationship Management and Safety from Kalimah Johnson, founder and executive director of SASHA (Sexual Assault Services for Holistic and Awareness) Center in Detroit, Mich. Johnson and student-athletes had an interactive discussion on personal relationships and safety.
The Saturday schedule ended with a trip to the 9/11 Memorial Museum followed by dinner.
On Sunday, former NBA coach and player Sam Mitchell addressed the players. Mitchell coached the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets and was named the 2006-07 NBA Coach of the Year while with Toronto. He played 13 years in the league for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers. Mitchell talked about his NBA experiences and offered some thoughts on the work required to make it to the NBA and some of the traits that the teams are looking for in college players. He told his personal story of perseverance, not making the NBA as a player until age 26, but always having the security that he had already earned his college degree.
The players were taken on a tour of Madison Square Garden, the home of the BIG EAST Tournament. Joel Fisher, MSG’s Executive Vice President of Marquee Events and Operations, welcomed the players, relayed some of the storied history of the tournament and told them there is nothing quite like playing in front of a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden.
Freshmen Fundamentals concluded with a talk from Turner. He encouraged the players to get to know people outside of their usual team groups, including professors and alumni. He said a St. John’s alumnus help him get started with his professional career. Turner said developing his own personal networking plan played a key role in putting himself on a successful career path.
About the BIG EAST
The BIG EAST Conference is an association of ten nationally prominent colleges and universities that foster healthy athletic competition, community service and the pursuit of excellence in academic environments. The athletic programs of BIG EAST institutions provide national-caliber participation opportunities for more than 3,727 student-athletes on over 180 men’s and women’s teams in 22 sports. Established in 1979 and headquartered in New York City, the BIG EAST’s members are located in seven of the country’s top 35 largest media markets and include Butler University, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University. For more information, visit
www.bigeast.com.