By Molly McSweyn |
The recruiting process for D1 athletes starts as early as sophomore year of high school. Yet, for freshman Maddie Ward, everything was different. Her recruitment didn’t start with a bunch of basketball coaches reaching out to her to choose their college. Rather, she was the one reaching out after she made her college decision.
Preliminary tryouts were set up for the beginning of the UP’s fall semester. Head Coach Cheryl Sorenson and the rest of the coaching staff saw Ward practice and run through skill sessions. It didn't take long for them to decide they wanted Ward on the team.
“It was pretty obvious early enough on that she was a quality player that could really step on the floor and help us,” Sorenson said. “And, you know, could be somebody that added value to the team.”
Once Ward was offered a spot, she quickly accepted and became as much a part of the team as any other player.
“We don't distinguish if you're a scholarship or a walk-on, you’re a member of the Portland Pilots, and so we just said ‘hey she’s on the team,’” Sorenson said. “The team was able to accept that and bring her in our arms, and she's added a lot to the team.”
Ward felt welcomed right away.
“All of the girls are super nice, they were all super welcoming,” Ward said.
Ward, who is from Golden, Colorado, has been playing basketball since fifth grade.
“My dad convinced me to play because I actually didn't really want to start,” Ward said. “I loved it once I started it.”
Attending a small Catholic high school didn’t offer her a lot in the ways of athletics, but she played all four years, three of those on varsity at Mullen High School. She also played for a well-respected club team.
Ward knew she wanted to continue to play basketball in college and she talked to a few coaches as she was making her decision. However, she decided she needed to choose a school based on the community and academics, instead of just basketball.
“I just decided that the best option for me was to look at the school itself, and what I'm getting through my education, because obviously I'm at college for an education,” Ward said. “And then I was going to do everything that I could to play basketball, because that’s what I am passionate about.”
Ward contacted Sorenson last spring to let her know she was making her college decision and that UP was a top contender. She told Sorenson that if she ended up attending the school, she planned to try to walk on to the basketball team.
Walking on to a D1 sports team is rare and difficult. Many of the players recruited played at highly competitive levels within their respective sports for many years. The women's basketball team only has one other walk-on, senior Colleen Olinger. In the past 10 years, there have only been six walks for women’s basketball at UP.
Part of what walk-on players have to deal with is acclimating to the team environment later than the rest of the players. For women’s basketball, this transition is a key part of Sorenson and the team’s motto: ‘TLC: Using your talents, being loyal and communicating to each other.’
Despite the difficulties associated with walking on, Ward is quickly acclimating to the team and playing a D1 sport, especially as the season began yesterday.
“I think its a mentality, like once you're on the team you're a part of the team,” Ward said. “You have to trust each other to have your back on the court, so you have to start building that relationship from day one.”
Molly McSweyn is a sports reporter for The Beacon. You can reach her at mcsweyn18@up.edu.
