Athlete Spotlight: Cassie Pruzin

 

Indiana All-Star, participant in the North/South All-Star game, All-State Selection, McDonald’s All-American nominee… and she chose to play Division III basketball. Surprised? Well, Cassie Pruzin decided there was a lot more to her than basketball and she wanted to take advantage of everything that DePauw University had to offer. Don’t get me wrong; just because she was doing many other things, basketball never went away. In college, Cassie was, along with many other honors, ranked second in school history in career three pointers made and attempted, named an All-American and was a part of the 2007 National Championship team. So let’s find out why Division III was the perfect place for her:

What schools from other divisions were interested in you/did you consider going to?
Throughout my high school career, my coach prepped me to be a Division 1 athlete. I was sent to many camps and spoke with many Division 1 college coaches. I dreamed of going to the University of Notre Dame but soon realized my talent and size was not good enough to make it at ND. I started to be more realistic and started narrowing in on mid-major schools in the Midwest. I basically ruled out schools located anywhere besides the Midwest because if I played I wanted my family to be able to attend my games. I got looks from schools such as Bowling Green, Ball State, Akron, Toledo, Butler, Western Michigan, etc. I’d say the MAC conference was recruiting me the hardest but I wasn’t really interested. My junior year of high school, I decided I really wanted to go Butler. I went on an official visit and to a couple games, but when it came down to it they said I was too small (not strong enough). It broke my heart and I decided basketball wasn’t for me until I found out about DePauw.

Why did you choose to play at DePauw instead?
Like I said before, I wanted to go to Butler University, and when I found out I couldn’t I was lost and unsure of what was ahead of me. I put a halt on the recruiting process and stopped making visits to schools. In my mind, I was over basketball. Until my brother convinced me to meet Coach Huffman at DePauw University, I was going to be just a student at Indiana University or Miami of Ohio. I fell in love with DePauw’s campus and the feeling I had when I was there. I realized that if I went to DePauw, I could have a satisfying and complete college experience.
One of the main reasons I did not like any school in the MAC was because of the lack of academia. If I could no longer play basketball, I did not know if any of the schools in the MAC would be a fit for me academically or socially. I knew DePauw was for me because it was a school I could see myself enjoying even if I decided to end my basketball career. Also, I knew DePauw had a great basketball program and we had a chance to be very competitive in Division 3.

What have you been able to be involved in at DePauw outside of basketball?
Throughout my time at DePauw, I was an active member of Alpha Phi sorority. I was the Director of Finance for two years, and a member of the executive counsel for one year. I was a part of student friend, a community service organization that reaches out to the unfortunate children in Greencastle. Other than that, my time was devoted to basketball and my academics, as well as making time for my friends.

What do you think have been some benefits of playing d3 instead of a higher division?
The main benefit was my education. DePauw puts a large emphasis on student-athletes and makes sure we are putting academics before our sport. This is something I think you miss out on at a D1 school. Also, I believe I had a greater opportunity of succeeding at D3. I was able to be a key member of the National Championship team and recognized as an All-American, something I could not have achieved at a D1 school. Basketball wasn’t my life. I was able to focus on other things than just basketball. Being a D3 athlete allows you to find yourself as a person, not just an athlete.

Many people say d3 is simply an extension of high school sports, how would you compare the competition levels between the two?
I do not believe d3 is an extension of high school basketball by any means. In high school, you had girls who didn’t love basketball. They played because their friends played, parents made them, or because they thought it was a fun hobby for the time being. They were not necessarily the most athletic or competitive group of people. However, college is much different. On my team, every player was the best player on her high school team. When you start creating collegiate teams, they are compiled of athletes who want to extend their career because they are superior athletes or have a strong work ethic and desire to play basketball. The level of competition is much greater. D3 athletes typically lack one essential asset that would make them a successful D1 athlete. For example, a D3 athlete may have all skills necessary but may lack height, strength, speed, or court sense. Not all high school athletes can compete at the collegiate level. The game is much faster and more competitive than it was in high school.

Wordless Wednesdays

The Monon Bell Goes Back to Wabash

One of the Division III rivalries I mentioned in a previous post took place over the weekend. After two years at DePauw, the Monon Bell returned to Wabash as the Little Giants beat the Tigers 32-19.
Matt Hudson, Wabash’s quarterback completed 19 of 30 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns. By winning this game, Wabash ended a two-year losing streak, and also broke the tie between the schools for this annual rivalry game.

Despite the Wabash win, the Tigers were the team that had already clinched a spot in tournament play, being the teams’ first playoff game in school history. The Little Giant’s on the other hand had to wait until this afternoon to hear whether they would advance to the playoffs. They received news that they too will have the opportunity to play in the D3 NCAA playoffs.

For the students, a lot of the week/weekend is focused on parties and their “hatred” for the other school. But, President Casey of DePauw and President White of Wabash issued a joint letter about the rivalry game. They urged the students and fans to focus on the traditions and history of the game. In it they wrote, “Today and throughout the year, we can all celebrate the fact that DePauw and Wabash are two great schools that share this tremendous tradition alongside a tremendous mutual respect and admiration.”

Troy Montigney, a first-year alum of DePauw, seems to understand both the Presidents’ views as well as the students. He wrote an article for “The DePauw” about the tradition of the Monon Bell Game. In it he admitted that as a DePauw student (which I’m sure is also true for Wabash students) a lot of the Monon tradition is about parties and hatred for Wabash (or DePauw), but he also admitted that the best part about the rivalry is being part of the tradition. “Odds are Spud Dick will not join Peyton Manning and Drew Brees in racking up 300-yard games on Sundays in the NFL, and Bryan Mulligan will not make everyone forget about Jerry Rice and Randy Moss. Adam Vinatieri's pair of Super Bowl-winning boots will not be replicated by Jordan Havercamp, despite the latter's NFL-worthy performance two years ago. But the trio and their teammates will never forget their Monon triumphs”.

So even though I know simply being part of the tradition doesn’t erase DePauw’s pain over losing the bell, in the end, being a part of this historic rivalry game is an honor... win or lose.

WHY D3 SPORTS?

• Because the leading scorer on the basketball team isn’t a future NBA All-Star, but a future 3rd grade teacher.

• Because it isn’t about making the cover of Sports Illustrated.

• Because the quarterback who threw the winning touchdown isn’t the next Brett Favre, but a business’ next CEO.

• Because the man in the first row cheering you on is your history professor.

• Because the girl who wins all those matches won’t be a Wimbledon champion, but a future surgeon. 
  

• Because the homerun-hitter on the baseball team won’t play in the Major Leagues, but will write for the New York Times.

• Because the goalie on the soccer team is also President of her sorority.

• Because the people in the stands actually know YOU, not just your name and stats.

• Because the captain of the team is also the school newspaper editor. 

• And, because it’s not about being on ESPN, getting drafted or signing autographs… it’s all about the love of the game.

Wordless Wednesdays

little schools, BIG GAMES

One of the best parts about college athletics is when not only a team, but also an entire school comes together for a rivalry game. For the biggest rivalries, these feelings aren’t limited to game day. Fans, students, professors, players and coaches recognize the competition between the two schools that is always present. Just the mention of the opposing team’s name sets emotions on high.

The word rivalry often brings specific matchups into peoples’ minds.
Ohio State vs. Michigan. Arguably the number one sports rivalry of all time. Woody Hayes even refused to buy gas in the state of Michigan.
Duke vs. UNC. Puts up a good fight for number one rivalry of all time. Fans don’t get much louder than the Cameron Crazies, and they are always at their best when Carolina is in the house.
Auburn vs. Alabama. The Iron Bowl. 60 minutes of football determine bragging rights in the state of Alabama for 364 days.

But these rivalries are all between Division I schools, and while they may be more well known than the D3 rivalries, that doesn’t make them greater.
Hope vs. Calvin. ESPN rated it the top D3 college basketball rivalry, and 4th in ALL of collegiate hoops. Hope’s student section, the Dew Crew, is Division III’s premiere student section and has been featured on ESPN’s Greatest College Rivalries.
DePauw vs. Wabash. The Monon Bell Game. Currently Indiana’s best football rivalry according to an ESPN poll. After the 2008 season, the all time series stands at a tie of 53-53-9. The Bell has been stolen at least nine times, with the most famous theft being known as “Operation Frijoles”, one of five greatest all time rivalry pranks according to Sports Illustrated.
Amherst vs. Williams. “The Biggest Little Game in America”. Among the best academic institutes in the nation. When Williams beats Amherst at home, the whole team marches across town to a barbershop where they shave their heads and smoke cigars.

And these are just some of many. So while Division III rivalries may often be under-the-radar and overshadowed by big league face offs, they are no less intense.

BIO

Since I can remember I have been an athlete. I am willing to admit that I wasn’t necessarily always good. According to my parents, when I first started playing soccer I just ran around following the girl I had heard others say was the best. When I tried out for my first AAU basketball team, I was the last girl picked. But, there was one thing no one could deny, I loved to play. Because of that, throughout the years I have managed to turn it around through my dedication, hard work and passion for sports. I played on every team I possibly could, and discovered I have a true love for the game… no matter what sport it is. By high school I narrowed down the many sports I was playing to focus specifically on basketball. I became our teams leading scorer and received awards such as Division III Player of the Year. Unfortunately, during the perfect (undefeated) season, a knee injury kept me from playing in the state tournament my senior year. After surgery, I came back and played college basketball but then suffered almost the same injury to the opposite knee. Now that my injuries are keeping me off the court, I have decided to embrace the sidelines. While my passion for the game leaves me considering the idea of playing again, I am chasing after another passion of mine that I discovered. If I can’t be in the game, I want to report on it, and I hope to eventually trade in my Nike’s for a microphone.