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By David Boyce  |  Northwest Basketball vs. Southwest Baptist  |  Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016  |  Bearcat Arena  |  Maryville, Mo.
Women's Basketball @ 1:30 p.m.  |  Women's Live Stats  |  Men's Basketball @ 3:30 p.m.  |  Men's Live Stats  |  Live Video  |  Live Audio

Commentary

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Of course, I'm bias. I believe in college education. I also think competing in athletics teaches valuable lessons.
 
I have always had great admiration for student-athletes in college because it takes God-given ability to compete at the NCAA Division II level. It takes dedication to hone those skills and it takes discipline to be able to combine classwork with practice and games.
 
For those reasons, senior day is always special because you see student-athletes who come in as teenagers and leave as young adults, ready for their next adventure in life.
 
Sure, when Northwest Missouri State women's basketball players Tember Schechinger, Taylor Shull and Shelby Mustain and men's basketball player Conner Crooker are recognized Saturday afternoon at Bearcat Arena, there will be a few tears shed.
 
But the afternoon of basketball will also be a day of celebrations for all four players who have worked hard to be successful at Northwest.
 
For Schechinger and Crooker, it has been a four-year ride. Mustain has been here three years and Shull has been here for two, each transferring to Northwest looking to reignite their passion for basketball.
 
"Being part of this program," Shull said, "has given me hope. To come here and be part of this team with coaches and the girls and the fans, it just makes me excited for what is to come, to know there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
 
"I have learned so much about myself since I have been here. Finding that love and desire again on the basketball court again has just been a blessing."
 
Wow! Such elegant words. Shull spoke them less than 20 minutes after a tough home loss to Emporia State on Thursday evening.
 
Schechinger was every bit as thoughtful when she answered the same question of what has made her time at Northwest so special.
 
Not many players in college athletics have dealt with the number of coaching changes and different basketball philosophies as Schechinger. She was recruited to Northwest by Gene Steinmeyer, who retired before Schechinger's freshman season.
 
In her first two seasons, Schechinger played for two different head coaches. In all, she played for three head coaches in her four years. Through it all, she has remained upbeat, never looking for excuses after a loss.
 
In fact, no matter how disappointing a loss was, Schechinger insisted the Bearcats were going to win their next game, and then she would go out and do everything possible to make it happen.
 
Win or lose, Schechinger always knew the Bearcats were going to be supported by other students, Northwest alumni and the residents who live in Maryville. Thursday night was a perfect example of it. The over 1,000 fans who showed up rooted for the Bearcats like it was the MIAA championship game. That kind of supports means a lot to the players.
 
"We had a crowd tonight and our record is not very good," Schechinger said. "It shows everybody cares about us and they are still going to be behind us no matter what is happening."
 
Senior day will be special for Schechinger.
 
"For being here for four years, having so much to adapt to and having people behind us no matter what we are doing, that is one of the biggest things," Schechinger said. "It goes to show I chose the right school. I wouldn't have changed it for the world."
 
I'm sure there are times when Mustain isn't smiling. I just haven't seen it. She brings a positive attitude whether she is on the court or on the bench, encouraging her teammates.
 
"It is hard to put into words," Mustain said on what has made her time at Northwest special. "I am a transfer. This is my second chance. Northwest made me feel like I was a Bearcat from day one.
 
"This place means so much to me, the fans and my teammates, who are now my sisters. Coach Scheel has made this year the best year I have had at Northwest. He has been the greatest coach and best support system along with the girls. I can only say thank you so much to my sisters, the coaches and Bearcat Nation."
 
Women's basketball coach Buck Scheel said each player contributed in their own way to help the team.
 
"They care," Scheel said.
 
Those two words sum it up their contributions perfectly.
 
Finally, Conner Crooker, probably the quietest of the four seniors who are going to be honored on Saturday, but has sat in on the most postgame press conferences. That's because for four years, Crooker has been a key reason why the men's basketball team has enjoyed so much success.
 
The Bearcats have finished first in the MIAA the last three seasons. The previous two years they have made it to the NCAA regional championship game, just one win away from the Elite Eight.
 
Crooker goes about his business in a quiet manner on and off the court. Sometimes you don't realize he actually scored 20 points in a game. In interviews, he has such a quiet way of answering questions that at first listen, you didn't realize he actually delivered a little zinger about an opponent.
 
One thing that is clear is Crooker has enjoyed playing basketball for Northwest.
 
"It has been awesome," Crooker said. "I thank God every day for giving me the ability and the chance to come here. I definitely made the right decision. It is going to be sad for my last game here. I am going to miss it."
 
Bearcat Nation will miss all four of these players, but at the same time be thrilled that they are prepared for their next step in life's journey, whether that is graduate school, finding that first fulltime job or heading down the road to marriage.