Logansport's donation
Zach Heridia
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: Sports
Coach Dan Voudrie has a Champion on this year's squad. He also has a Gotshall.
The freshman duo from Logansport, Joel Gotshall and Jordan Champion, are important to the freshman class, the team and each other. According to Voudrie, the duo gets along great, which is important because he believes that recruiting high school teammates is a dangerous proposition.
"You don't know their histories together. There could be a lot of back stories," Voudrie said. "I like them because they have good experiences. They were playing in a tough high school conference. The North Central Conference is the most celebrated conference in the state. They have top-notch teams every year and both of them played well in it."
But he didn't originally recruit them both. The reason that Voudrie didn't recruit both players immediately was exposure. While Gotshall was an all-conference player, Champion was playing well and losing the spotlight to the bigger player. Voudrie was looking for a player who could play small forward or tall shooting guard, so he found Gotshall.
"Knowing our needs, I knew that Joel would fit our team and our needs. He was a good player. I liked him, but while he was playing well, I couldn't help but notice his teammate," Voudrie said. "Jordan was the best 3-point shooter in the conference. I stayed neutral but knew of him and followed his stats. As the recruiting class came together I had to make a decision."
The decision was influenced by Gotshall who had already signed with PUC. According to Voudrie, one day in late spring or early summer he asked the people working out with the team about a shooter, someone the team could trust to make a positive impact.
"'What about Jordan?' I asked. Joel said 'Yeah, he's my best friend. I'll see if he's interested,'" said Voudrie.
"What coach wouldn't want a kid like that: 3-point shooter, son of a coach, solid student, head in the right place, friendly and a leader? And what kid in Indiana wouldn't want our situation. It was guaranteed playing time as a freshman. So he joined. He was one of the last, but important." Voudrie added.
As roommates, Gotshall and Champion are best friends, teammates and share a class.
"We help each other out. It's really smoothed out the transition to college," Gotshall said. "We have a class together and turn to each other once in a while and ask about things from class or homework. It's nice having this opportunity and this privilege."
Champion mentioned he has felt so welcome to PUC, it's difficult seeing a difference with or without Gotshall.
"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Joel and coach but the campus, the dorms, classes, the team -it's all been nice. I'm having fun and I'm enjoying just being here."
The freshman duo from Logansport, Joel Gotshall and Jordan Champion, are important to the freshman class, the team and each other. According to Voudrie, the duo gets along great, which is important because he believes that recruiting high school teammates is a dangerous proposition.
"You don't know their histories together. There could be a lot of back stories," Voudrie said. "I like them because they have good experiences. They were playing in a tough high school conference. The North Central Conference is the most celebrated conference in the state. They have top-notch teams every year and both of them played well in it."
But he didn't originally recruit them both. The reason that Voudrie didn't recruit both players immediately was exposure. While Gotshall was an all-conference player, Champion was playing well and losing the spotlight to the bigger player. Voudrie was looking for a player who could play small forward or tall shooting guard, so he found Gotshall.
"Knowing our needs, I knew that Joel would fit our team and our needs. He was a good player. I liked him, but while he was playing well, I couldn't help but notice his teammate," Voudrie said. "Jordan was the best 3-point shooter in the conference. I stayed neutral but knew of him and followed his stats. As the recruiting class came together I had to make a decision."
The decision was influenced by Gotshall who had already signed with PUC. According to Voudrie, one day in late spring or early summer he asked the people working out with the team about a shooter, someone the team could trust to make a positive impact.
"'What about Jordan?' I asked. Joel said 'Yeah, he's my best friend. I'll see if he's interested,'" said Voudrie.
"What coach wouldn't want a kid like that: 3-point shooter, son of a coach, solid student, head in the right place, friendly and a leader? And what kid in Indiana wouldn't want our situation. It was guaranteed playing time as a freshman. So he joined. He was one of the last, but important." Voudrie added.
As roommates, Gotshall and Champion are best friends, teammates and share a class.
"We help each other out. It's really smoothed out the transition to college," Gotshall said. "We have a class together and turn to each other once in a while and ask about things from class or homework. It's nice having this opportunity and this privilege."
Champion mentioned he has felt so welcome to PUC, it's difficult seeing a difference with or without Gotshall.
"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Joel and coach but the campus, the dorms, classes, the team -it's all been nice. I'm having fun and I'm enjoying just being here."
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Jumpshot
posted 11/07/09 @ 1:52 PM CST
....Bring on Cardinal Stritch!
The Peregrines are going to pound them
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