By: Emily Thomas '12

BEREA, OHIO -- If you saw Baldwin-Wallace College women's basketball senior captain Catherine Spisak (Sandusky/ St. Mary Central Catholic) right before a game, you might wonder whether she is really ready to play in a basketball game or preparing for a date!

"I always have my hair and makeup done and my nails painted black for every game," Spisak explained. "I have a personal philosophy of "you look good, you play good.''"

Spisak's philosophy has definitely proven true throughout her basketball career and it will get put to the test again on Wednesday night (December 7, 2011) when B-W hosts Ohio Athletic Conference rival Heidelberg University at 7:30 p.m. in the Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium of the Lou Higgins Center in Berea.

During high school, Spisak earned four varsity letters. As a captain her junior year, she was second-team All-Sandusky Bay Conference and was voted Team Most Valuable Player. Serving as a second-year captain her senior year, Spisak had continued success. She was first-team All-SBC, first-team All-Northwest District and first-team All-District 6, received honorable mention All-Ohio honors and voted MVP for the second straight season.

It's no wonder B-W women's basketball Head Coach Cheri Harrer wanted to recruit Spisak.

"Catherine was a good athlete and played very hard," said Harrer, who is in her 22nd season at B-W and enters Wednesday's home game with a 437-155 career mark. "She had a decent outside game and was able to drive to the basket."

Spisak chose to continue her basketball career at B-W because of its winning tradition. Little did Spisak know that she herself would play an instrumental role in the continued success of the program.

In her first three seasons as a Yellow Jacket, Spisak was part of the team's 2008-2009 NCAA Division III National Tournament appearance, a second place place finish in the Ohio Athletic Conference last season and a three-year overall record of 59-24  with a .711 winning percentage.  And, Harrer, Spisak and the rest of the Yellow Jackets show no sign of slowing down this year.

"As a team, our goals are always very high," said Harrer. "Every year we want to win the OAC regular season and OAC Tournament titles and play in the NCAA Tournament. Our goals are as high as any team can make them. Our expectations are that we are going to play harder than our opponent, play tough D [defense], rebound at both ends of the court and play together "every game."

Spisak shares the same high expectations as her coach saying, "we want to win the national championship. We have a dedicated, talented group of girls who are willing to work hard."

So far the Yellow Jackets are off to a good start. B-W enters Wednesday's game with a 4-2 overall record and has 18 straight wins against the Student Princes. Individually, Spisak has played well and is averaging a team and OAC-leading 10.3 rebounds per game, including an OAC-leading 6.8 defensive rebounds per contest.

While there is no question that Spisak is a talented basketball player, she will leave behind a legacy that goes far beyond wins and losses, free throw percentages and rebounds.

As a three-year captain, Spisak is known for her leadership and takes that role to heart.

"My biggest accomplishment in my basketball career is that I have been a captain since I was a sophomore," said Spisak. "I feel that this is the greatest honor.

"I feel proud of myself for pushing through adversity and that I have remained loyal to something I have worked so hard for," adds Spisak. "I also feel like I have to be more of a leader than ever. I have to set the tone for practice and games. I have to make sure that whenever I say I will do something, I follow through."

Spisak's leadership ability has been well recognized by her coach.

"Catherine has developed tremendously as a leader," said Harrer. "As an athlete she has found her niche in being a terrific rebounder and excellent defender. Catherine takes pride in doing all the little things that winning teams needs to do take charges, communicate, set screens, rebound at both ends and that role is extremely important for us.

"As a leader, she has become an excellent vocal leader," continued Harrer. "She is a great encourager for her teammates and they really do look to her for guidance. She is one of the best leaders to ever play in our program."

Spisak's ability is not only acknowledged by her coach, but by her teammates as well.

Junior All-OAC forward Jessica Carpenter (North Canton/ Hoover) wants to do everything she can do make Spisak's last season a great one.

"I think I can speak for the whole team when I say we want this season to be the best it can be, not only for each other, but for Catherine because it will be her last," said Carpenter.  "She has put so much time and effort into this program for four years, so I hope our accomplishments and success this season will be rewarding enough for her.

"I know the friendships made and the experiences she has had will be satisfying enough for her, by why not give her what she has been working had for over the past four years -- a championship."

Harrer echos Carpenter's feelings. "We are extremely anxious to help Cat go out as a winner."

Spisak returns the sentiments by Carpenter and Harrer.

"I have a great quality relationship with each of the different coaches. I could approach them with any problem and they would be more than willing to help. My teammates are my family. I have had the pleasure to make lifetime friends throughout my career here at B-W."

Spisak will not just leave her mark on the women's basketball program, but on the school as well.

Graduating this coming spring with a strong grade point average and two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management and Public Relations, Spisak proves that she can do it all.

On top of an outstanding basketball and academic career, Spisak still finds the time to be involved on campus as she is the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Vice President of the Sport Management Club and a member of the Public Relations Club. All of this experience, both on and off the court, will serve her well as she takes the next steps in her life as she is currently in the process of applying to graduate school for College Student Personnel or Higher Education and Leadership programs.

"I will pursue a career in academic advising/ student affairs within intercollegiate athletics," said Spisak. "I would eventually like to be a female administrator at an NCAA Division I institution."

While the next steps in her life are exciting ones for Spisak, it will be the end of her basketball career.

"For the past twelve years, I have had practice or some basketball related activity going on every day," says Spisak. "I will have a lot of extra time on my hands now.

"I will miss the structure and discipline that basketball has brought to my life," continued Spisak. "Basketball has been the thing that has helped me to stay in shape and remain active for most of my life. I am looking forward to finding new ways to remain active, strong, and competitive."
 
Spisak will miss playing basketball and her teammates.

"I will miss the family atmosphere of the team," says Spisak. "These are the people that I have been with for up to three years. They have been with me through good times and bad times."

Coach Harrer and Carpenter have made it clear that Spisak will leave a great legacy behind as she plays in her final season for the Yellow Jackets.

"Cat just has to be the best Cat she can be "no one else," said Harrer.

However, it is how Spisak wants to be remembered that speaks to her true character.

"I want to be remembered as someone who was a true leader and made a positive impact in the lives of the younger girls on the team," Spisak explained. "I want to be remembered as someone who never took plays off and always wanted what was best for the team.

"Most of all," Spisak said, "I want to be remembered as someone who loved the game."

Following its game against Heidelberg, B-W is back in action this Saturday, Dec. 10 when it travels to Wilmington, Ohio to play the Wilmington College Quakers at 2:00 p.m. in the first game of a men's and women's doubleheader.

FOR MORE B-W Sports Information, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu. or Assistant SID Jeff Miller by phone at 440-826-2780 and email at jefmille@bw.edu Fans can access the latest B-W athletics information at www.bw.edu/athletics and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.