The Observer, March 21, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 21
Basketball's Herring named UAA's Rookie of the Year
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This season was a disappointing and frustrating one for the men's basketball team. After posting an 8-17 record, it is hard to find positives to describe the season, other than the "future looks bright" and a multitude of other sports clichés. But recently, the light at the end of the tunnel got a lot brighter.
Kevin Herring, a freshman point guard who started every game this year for the Spartans, was named the University Athletic Association's Rookie of the Year. Herring, who finished third on the team in scoring, evolved into one of the team's go-to guys during the season.
About this time last year Herring was going through the recruitment process. A Columbus native, Herring made the trip up to Case a number of times before deciding to attend school here. "I was up here quite a bit in March and got close with [future teammates] Steve Young and Brandon Bradford," said Herring. "I was at a party when I said to myself, and told the guys, that I could see myself coming to Case."
A week later he called head coach Sean McDonnell and passed on the good news. Herring continued visiting Case after his commitment, playing basketball with the team during the spring. He even spent part of his spring break in Cleveland to be with his new team. During this summer, when the team was in Brazil, Herring was calling the guys "just to chec in," he said.
It wasn't until the fall open gym sessions that Herring knew he had a legitimate shot at playing. "Open gyms went really well for me," said Herring. "The seniors and Steve [Young] were already telling me that I had a shot to play right off the bat." When it came time to begin practices, Herring said McDonnell was riding him really hard: "Here's this nice guy who recruited me, and he just turned into a monster."
When the starting lineup was announced the practice before the team's first game, Herring knew his spot wasn't guaranteed. Even when he had an off night, Herring would come back extra hard in practice because he worried he wouldn't get the start come Friday.
It wasn't until halfway through the season that "I felt like I was the point guard," said Herring. The thought of being named Rookie of the Year was an afterthought brought up by Brandon Bradford's roommate. Said Herring, "I just laughed it off." Yet, on Thursday, March 6, Herring got a voice mail message from coach McDonnell while at work. "Coach Sean is kind of edgy," said Herring. "So at first I thought I had done something wrong. He just asked me to call him back." When he got hold of McDonnell, his worries were put to ease. "He told me about the award and that it was well deserved," said Herring.
Herring's only regret is that seniors Mason Conrad and Brandon Bradford couldn't play for one more year. "I just wish they could come back now that I know the offense better and can orchestrate it better," said Herring. Unfortunately, the two seniors' eligibility is up, but the team is in good hands with their newfound leader.
