Nov. 28, 2012
by Nikki Philpot
There are certain stories in life in which the hero of the tale faces struggles that challenge his character. The hero's journey presents one obstacle after another, yet with each event the hero gets closer to his goal. With each step in the face of struggle, the hero transforms from an everyday character into a leader.
Now take this premise and spin it - Hagan Arena style.
Behind every successful team there are leaders. Either vocally or by example, a leader does what it takes for a team to succeed. Whether sinking the winning basket on game day or guarding the strongest opponent at practice, a player's selfless demeanor through dedication to the team over himself is what turns an everyday player into a leader.
Taylor Trevisan is a leader.
One of just three seniors on this season's squad, Trevisan understands the importance of his role both on and off the court.
"I've taken on more of a leadership role in trying to show the young kids the way," said Trevisan. "I try to do a little bit of everything. I'm a vocal guy when I'm on the basketball court, so I get on them sometimes, but in the locker room I try to show them the way."
Trevisan's leadership qualities shine through during games as he is often the first Hawk off the bench congratulating or advising his teammates. On the court, Trevisan makes the most of his minutes. The 6-foot-2 guard comverted a layup to score the game's final two points in Saint Joseph's season-opening 61-35 victory over Yale.
Trevisan's journey to a senior season in a Division I program has not been easy. The guard's primary focus wasn't even on basketball when he decided to attend Saint Joseph's; his interest in sports marketing brought him to Hawk Hill. Education was Trevisan's main priority from the start.
"Education has always been first. My mom has always harped on me about that," Trevisan joked.
Once stepping foot on campus, the freshman version of Trevisan knew that he was meant to wear the Crimson and Gray.
"As soon as I decided to go to St. Joe's, I knew that I was going to try out for the team because I was a kid who loved to play basketball and just wanted to keep playing," said Trevisan. "I always dreamed about playing Division I basketball. My mom always joked that I started to play basketball as soon as I could pick up a ball."
The two-year letterwinner explains that he doesn't remember the exact moment he decided that he wanted to play Division I basketball, but he credits his competitive nature and love of sports for leading him to the eventual decision that was made in his senior year of high school. Trevisan believes that the leadership role that came with being the senior captain of his team at Salesianum opened his eyes to the prospect of playing at the next level.
And so began the journey.
As a freshman at Saint Joseph's, Trevisan tried out for a fully-stacked team in 2009-10 and did not make the cut. Instead of giving up on his dream, Trevisan played club ball here at Saint Joseph's to improve his game. He got stronger, both physically and mentally. He took being cut as motivation, and thus began the longest and most challenging summer of his life.
"That summer, I worked a lot because I wasn't on scholarship yet and still had to help the family out and pay for school," said Trevisan. "To balance working all the time and trying to work on my basketball game so that I could try again the next year was tough."
During that summer two and a half years ago, Trevisan demonstrated the exact same commitment to the game that we see from him today.
"It was tough, but I never had an actual time when I was like, `I can't do this.'"
Round two. Trevisan tried out for the team once again as a sophomore and found himself on the other end of the decision - he made the 2010-11 roster. From then on, with a seriously unwavering work ethic and understanding of what was best for the team, Trevisan continued to grow as a player and person. At the end of his sophomore season, the team's sole walk-on was rewarded for his hard work in the best way a walk-on can be rewarded: Trevisan earned a scholarship.
"I'm such a competitive guy that even though I don't play, I always want to get better. I always strive for the next thing," he said. "Some people may find that greedy because I made the team on scholarship, but I'm still working. I still want to get better. I still want to work to get more time. I just keep working hard."
As a scholarship player last season, Trevisan made great strides in improvement and saw that reflected in his playing time as he saw action and scored points against Penn State, Morgan State, and Temple. So far in his senior season, Trevisan recorded a bucket against Yale in the season's home opener and saw time in the win over Harvard. He expresses his appreciation of having had the opportunity to play on Opening Night.
"Opening Night is always exciting, especially this year out of my three years," he said. "The student section was crazy and packed. It's always exciting, no matter how many times you've done it. You always get butterflies in your stomach because it's just exciting."
Away from Hagan Arena, Trevisan takes advantage of yet another opportunity that presents itself when playing basketball at the collegiate level: traveling. A favorite? Atlantic City, and the previous home of the Atlantic 10 Championship, Boardwalk Hall.
"Whenever we go on trips, I try to take in wherever we go and enjoy it as much as I can," said Trevisan. "I try to take in the sights."
As is the case for all seniors, Trevisan's basketball career at Saint Joseph's will eventually come to an end. He has begun to prepare for that inevitable fact by considering three different game plans. Two include the obvious prospects: sending out résumés and starting interviews in order to enter the real world, and coaching, although Trevisan does not feel ready to leave Hawk Hill.
"As far as being an actual senior in school, I don't think it's actually hit me yet that after this year I'm done," admitted Trevisan.
Even so, the senior has one more plan.
"I have a year of eligibility left basketball-wise," he shared. "If it's possible, I want to go to graduate school somewhere to try to play another year. I want to continue my education, which is the first goal, but why not try to play one more year while getting my education?"
Regardless of where Trevisan goes in the future, there is no denying the impact that he has made here at Saint Joseph's.
From not making the team his freshman year to playing on scholarship and proving to be a leader as a senior, Trevisan's story is the inspirational tale of what can happen when a person has a dream, a desire, and a dedication to both.
"You tell people that you have to work hard if you want to get what you want, but my dream of playing Division I basketball was all the motivation I needed."
Trevisan's dream has led him to success during his days here at Saint Joseph's. His motivation will lead him to success after his days on Hawk Hill.
