Justin Siewierski

Editor-in-Chief

jrsiewierski@plymouth.edu

The next time you walk into Foley Gymnasium for a men’s game, close your eyes. Listen to a play develop. The voices, the screeching of shoes on the floor, the whistle, the fans. Amongst all of that, one voice in particular is louder than the others. If you open your eyes, you won’t find that voice on the floor, or in the stands. Senior captain Collin Sullivan, sidelined in the first semester of the 2017-2018 season, can be found on his feet next to the home team bench. Injury won’t can’t stop #10.

Sullivan suffered an injury at the beginning of the season, and with hopes to return for the second half of his senior year, has continued to stay positive about the way this year has gone. For now, the mathematics education major can be found talking to every teammate that walks on and off the court; telling them what he can see from the bench, pumping them up after a big play, or picking their head up if they start to hang it. Sullivan is the ideal teammate, and when he’s on the court, can change the game without even shooting the basketball. The countless times the 5’10” senior was able to shut down opposing guards shifted momentum in the 2016-2017 season, when the team hosted their first playoff game in over 10 years. As Panthers sit at .500 through their first eight games of the season, Sullivan’s presence on the court has been missed. However, his presence as a captain hasn’t been taken for granted. This week, I had the opportunity to sit with Collin Sullivan for another installment of 10 Seconds.

When did you first start playing basketball?

My earliest memory of playing basketball is probably on my 3rd and 4th grade tra vel team. Growing up, I was playing sports with my best friends year around which was always pretty special. The opportunity made our friend group stronger off the court, and our chemistry stronger on the court. We didn't play too many games, so a lot of my basketball early on came on Saturday mornings when our elementary school would hold Park & Recreation clinics.

W hy did you choose Plymouth?

I chose Plymouth for many reasons. First off, I grew up in Plymouth and I didn't want to be too far from my family. Most people ask me if it's weird going to college in my hometown, but Plymouth is such a fun school and there is always something going on, so it distracts the idea that I'm in my hometown and feels like I'm just at college. Getting back to my reasons though, my family has a history of being Panthers. My Dad played football here back in the 80's and my sister was a junior my freshmen year. I also knew I had the opportunity to play sports here which I knew was a part of my plan. Finally, the math program here is strong which is what I am trying to do in life.

How has the game of basketball influenced you since you started playing?

One thing basketball has taught me is that you need to have a personality. On the court, having a personality can create energy for yourself, amongst your teammates, and even throughout the crowd. The difference between having a personality and not having one on the court could end up deciding the game in the end. With that being said, coming in as a freshman I was a little timid and nervous. Once I learned about having a personality I was able to start seeing some playing time and help my team win some games.

Having your teaching internship this semester, has that affected the way you prepared for this season?

Having my teaching internship this semester has affected the basketball part of my life. At this point, I wake up, teach all day, come home for 30 minutes, then it's down to lift, practice, and study hall every day. So I have been living a pretty busy semester. Basically any free time I have goes to planning out my lessons or to basketball. The time management I've learned throughout my life with school and sports has been a huge help, but this year it's been a little different with how I've managed my free time.

You're someone that Coach Novick can trust defensivel y; he gives you someone to guard and you shut him down. Was defense always the top priority growing up?

In college, my role has shifted towards the defensive stopper. That is something we preach on our team, kind of like the Patriots, is that each person needs to do their job. That wasn't always the case for me though. In high school I was more of an offensive-minded player. I was the go-to guy down the stretch, and the second or third defensive stopper depending on our strategy. The shift in my role in college didn't really affect me though because coach and I were on the same page that defense was my job.