BEREA, OHIO -- Completing four years of collegiate athletics at the NCAA Division III level may seem easy to the casual observer, but it's the things that happen behind the scenes that most people don't understand or appreciate that make the experience both challeging and rewarding.
At the NCAA Division III level, student-athletes cannot receive an athletics scholarship, so to be able to say that you played four solid years in any sport is impressive. A case in-point is Baldwin Wallace University women's basketball senior team-leader Ali Stack.
For four years, Stack, a resident of Vermilion and a graduate of Firelands High School, has taken Head Coach, Cheri Harrer's intensity head-on and has helped the Yellow Jackets to compile an 13-3 overall and first place 8-1 mark in the Ohio Athletic Conference prior to hosting OAC-rival the University of Mount Union in Berea on Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium in the Lou Higgins Center.
"It's a big deal to be a four-year college athlete," said a proud Stack who is scoring 2.8 points-per-game in 14.5 minutes of action per contest. "A lot of people come here to get a great education and play sports, but not many play all four years. It's pretty special."
Although Stack hasn't been the superstar, she has shown a great deal of persistence, commitment to the program and desire to play for four years as a role player.
"That's why Ali is one of our team captains," said 21-year veteran Head Coach Cheri Harrer, who enters Saturday's game second on the all-time OAC win list for women's coaches with 427 victories. "Ali works hard every day, she is persistent and consistent, and she leads by-example. She is an excellent role model for many of our younger student-athletes. She is just a joy to coach and be around every day."
From being a quiet freshman to becoming a senior captain has surprised even Stack.
"I definitely feel like I improved from last year because I have more experience," said Stack, who has helped BW to compile a 81-21 record during her four seasons as a Yellow Jacket, including a 27-3 mark as a freshman in 2007-2008. "I'm excited to see how good we can actually get this season.
"At times, we can be scary good if we all come together and play together," continued Stack. "I just look to do my role and be a leader for the team since there are so many freshman and sophomores."
As a freshman four seasons ago, Stack saw playing time in eight games and helped BW to win an OAC regular season title and an OAC Tournament crown en route to advancing to the NCAA Division III National Tournament where the Yellow Jackets lost in a "Sweet 16" game in Berea.
"My freshman year I didn't play much, and it was a huge adjustment from high school,"said Stack, who also will lead the Yellow Jackets into home games this week versus Mt. Union (Jan. 24), Heidelberg University (Jan. 26) and Wilmington College (Jan. 29/ SportsTime Ohio telecast). "I played a lot on the junior varsity team and had to learn the system.
"In addition and by watching the senior captains, I learned a great deal about how to be a team-leader," said Stack. "It definitely has helped me with that transition this season."
She also admitted that the past four years haven't been a "walk in the park".
"I have been through a lot of frustration and it still doesn't come easy to this day, but I still try to have fun," said Stack. "I care about the team and the sport of basketball that much".
"The transition to BW was hard because I was used to being the star in high school, then I came here and had to wait two-and-a-half years to get playing time," said Stack. "Through it all, I've learned to overcome a lot of adversity and realize that you can still have fun with a great group of girls, even if you aren't always out on the court".
"I've also met a lot of my best friends, and even though some of them have already graduated, I still talk to them today," said Stack. "My teammates at BW will be some of the best friends I have for the rest of my life."
Hard work comes naturally to Stack, who is the daughter of Gary and Gayle Stack. The communication studies major earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the fall semester of 2010. Not only does she put countless hours in each week in BW's Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium in the Lou Higgins Center, she also works in the athletic office as a student assistant and is a member of the Public Relations Club.
The luxury of coming to an NCAA Division III school is that you can have the perfect balance of athletics and academics, and that was one of the reasons that Stack chose Baldwin Wallace.
"I knew I wanted to play basketball in college and BW had a strong tradition as a winning program that has made multiple trips to the NCAA Division III National Tournament," said Stack. "And, I really wanted to be a part of that tradition of success".
"But what really was the most important part to consider was the academics," continued Stack. "BW is well-know for its outstanding academic programs, and I know I will have a better chance to get a job when I graduate."
It's pretty obvious that evey day that Ali Stack gives her all, whether it's on or off the basketball court. Teammate, captain and starting junior forward Catherine Spisak (Sandusky/ St. Mary's Central Catholic)agreed that she brings an edge to the floor every day.
"She has an amazing work ethic and she always works hard whether it is in a drill, game or just running sprints," said Spisak, who leads the Yellow Jackets in rebounding with 8.8 caroms per contest. "People see that as an example and it makes our team better."
"Ali brings an energy and a spark plug in the game and it gets you (the team) excited,"continued Spisak. "She has persevered through difficulties such as not getting as much playing time as she would of liked, but she stuck with the program. Now she has become a huge contributor, a team-leader and we all look up to her."
The BW women's basketball team prides itself on its defense, and Coach Harrer can always count on Stackto be one of its leaders.
"She brings an intensity to our defense every time she steps out onto the floor," said Harrer. "We start sophomore Jess Carpenter (North Canton/Hoover) on the opposition's best player. Then we bring Ali off the bench to pick up where Jess left off. By having two very solid defenders in Jess and Ali guarding the opposition's best player, we hope to wear them out."
Even though Stack would love to be in the starting lineup, She is not affected by coming off the bench.
"I have learned to like coming off the bench more," said Stack. "It gives me a chance to analyze the game, spark the team, get defensive stops and give us (BW) momentum. I look to get the other girls open on offense. I'm not selfish or a huge offensive threat, but I am capable of scoring. On defense, I like to stop the other team's best player. It's a huge challenge, and one that I look forward to every game."
Ali has come down a very long road to get where she is now.
"Ali looks forward to her younger teammates asking questions and then answering them to the best of her ability," said Harrer. "She is not afraid to be a leader, step up and take people under her wing."
"During her four years here, Ali has matured a lot as a person," continued Harrer. "She has always played hard, but it is nice to see her more polished, outgoing and confident. This has been a great experience for Ali and we know that she has the talent and ability to be a success after basketball and after graduation. She has become just an outstanding team leader."
The January 29 game against Wilmington is the first of a women's and men's doubleheader and also is both the women's "Take a Kid to the Game" Day and a SportsTime Ohio televised twinbill.
As part of the "Take a Kid to the Game" promotion, all children from kintergarten through eighth grade will be admitted for free and one parent per child also will be admitted for free. Children will have the ability to do face-painting with the BW cheerleaders and play with the Yellow Jacket mascot "Stinger" prior to the game. Watch the Yellow Jackets play Wilmington and then obtain autographs from BW players and coaches following the game. They also are invited to stay and watch the BW men play Wilmington at 4:00 p.m.
The SportsTime Ohio broadcasts will air later that night and against on January 31. The women's game will air that night at 6:00 p.m. and the men at 8:00 p.m. The men's game also will be shown on Jan. 31 at 5:00 a.m.
FOR MORE BW 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 BW athletics information at www.bw.edu/athletics and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter athttp://twitter.com/bwathletics.
