Name: Andrew Thorne
Year: Junior
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Hometown/High School: Front Royal, VA/Skyline
Specs: All-ODAC Third Team (2012). Started all 27 games this year, averaging team highs of 13.1 points and 7.1 rebounds. In his three seasons, played in 78 of 84 possible games.
What is your major? What do you hope to do?
Recreation and Sport Leadership. I’m taking the business management aspect of it. I want to start my own rec center or boys or girls club. There’s a need for it.
What originally made you choose to come to EMU?
At first my school choices centered around football, but they did not work out. I always had EMU in the back of my mind, and Coach Kirby (Dean) never gave up on me. So I called him up, and he let me in. And I’m glad I did. I need this place.
What has it been like being a student-athlete while at EMU?
It’s been pretty cool. Usually you’re used to being just an athlete. I didn’t think about grades as much in high school, but when you get here they make sure you know you’re also a STUDENT and not just an athlete. So I’m learning to do what I have to do to succeed, so that I can do what I love to – have fun on the court.
What has it been like playing men’s basketball here?
I have learned a lot of things. The last two years have been so successful. For me to come in (as an underclassman) and get some playing time and get some wins and go that far has been great. And now this year, we’re so young. We’re learning to keep on going. It’s going to come and we’ll be right back where we were (the last two years). So I’m learning to keep pushing.
You spent two years as a key sub on the team, but now you have had to quickly transition into being one of the leaders. Talk about those roles.
It felt good to be the sub. I knew who I was up against. I came in behind an All-American (Todd Phillips). Coach told me what to do, and I did what I had to do. I would come in and make some plays and get a dunk to get the crowd going – to play my role. In high school I was the man, but I enjoyed playing my role. This year I try to teach that to the freshmen. Even if you sit the bench, you don’t give up. Just keep pushing hard. I try to lead by example and throw my body out there. It’s a good role (to be a leader) and I’m up for it.
What are one or two things you have learned from playing basketball here that you will take with you when you leave?
From my freshman year, it’s probably the will to never give up. And no matter how successful things are, you can never forget and stop trying. You always work hard and fight to do what you do to be successful. I was on academic probation and I was worried for a bit that with my grades they would give up on me. But I worked hard to get off of academic probation. So to just have the will to fight.
Drew is a young man to be admired. He knows that he is part of a team and he accepted his role each year, even if it meant sitting back and learning for those more experienced players. Coach Dean has created a desire in his team…hard work equals success. Drew listened and he learned through respect for his Coach and his teammates…he never gave up and he’s earned his new role as a leader. Congratulations Drew! The women’s volleyball team could learn alot from you…respect your coach, respect your teammates, have the will to win and if you want it…fight for it and know it’s yours because you’ve earned it. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. – Hebrews 12:11-13