2008 Woodie Awards
Balance key for foreign athletes
Antonio Graves
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Sports
Originally published: 4/26/07 at 4:54 PM EST
Last update: 4/27/07 at 8:40 PM EST
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Tanzania, Sweden, and Australia are among the places of origin for some of Plattsburgh State's athletes.
Yohani Mwamunyange, Karl Helgesson and Kirby Davids have shown the ability to not only adapt to a new culture, but to flourish in their new experiences and activities, as well.
Student athletes must maintain a constant focus on academics and display an effort to excel in sports competitions.
Mwamunyange said his parents told him the route to becoming the ideal student starts with finding the perfect balance of focus.
During the early stages of Mwamunyange's life in Daresalaam, Tanzania, he struggled to find that balance.
In the heat-infested small city, he would play basketball and resist studying and doing schoolwork.
Although he was not very good at playing, he would always play rather than complete his schoolwork.
"Although I couldn't dribble the ball, I could jump really high," Mwamunyange said. "In high school I started playing better, though."
After riding the bench for much of his junior high school career, Mwamunyange started making strides in handling the ball.
At Kabojja High School in Uganda, his life changed dramatically. In addition to improving his game, the boarding school helped his study habits and behavior improve.
Mwamunyange had a tough time growing up, he said as he found himself getting into many arguments with his peers.
Presently, whenever someone tries to discourage him about anything, he does not get upset.
Although he did not go to his first basketball try-outs because people told him he was too slow, he came back next year, 18 pounds lighter, to make the team.
Because he speaks fluent English, one could fail to realize Helgesson's Swedish heritage.
Born and raised in Lerum, Sweden, Helgesson not only participates in the smash-mouth sport known as hockey, but he has aspirations to enter into the cutthroat world of politics.
As a result of hockey being one of the major sports in Sweden, Helgesson's love for the sport started early.
Yohani Mwamunyange, Karl Helgesson and Kirby Davids have shown the ability to not only adapt to a new culture, but to flourish in their new experiences and activities, as well.
Student athletes must maintain a constant focus on academics and display an effort to excel in sports competitions.
Mwamunyange said his parents told him the route to becoming the ideal student starts with finding the perfect balance of focus.
During the early stages of Mwamunyange's life in Daresalaam, Tanzania, he struggled to find that balance.
In the heat-infested small city, he would play basketball and resist studying and doing schoolwork.
Although he was not very good at playing, he would always play rather than complete his schoolwork.
"Although I couldn't dribble the ball, I could jump really high," Mwamunyange said. "In high school I started playing better, though."
After riding the bench for much of his junior high school career, Mwamunyange started making strides in handling the ball.
At Kabojja High School in Uganda, his life changed dramatically. In addition to improving his game, the boarding school helped his study habits and behavior improve.
Mwamunyange had a tough time growing up, he said as he found himself getting into many arguments with his peers.
Presently, whenever someone tries to discourage him about anything, he does not get upset.
Although he did not go to his first basketball try-outs because people told him he was too slow, he came back next year, 18 pounds lighter, to make the team.
Because he speaks fluent English, one could fail to realize Helgesson's Swedish heritage.
Born and raised in Lerum, Sweden, Helgesson not only participates in the smash-mouth sport known as hockey, but he has aspirations to enter into the cutthroat world of politics.
As a result of hockey being one of the major sports in Sweden, Helgesson's love for the sport started early.
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