 "Photo: Jami Bonner")
It takes certain type of people to re-locate in their lives. Most college students are reluctant to even leave their home state, let alone trek thousands of miles away to another country.
The T-Bird men’s basketball team is very excited to have three Australian natives on their roster as they are a valuable part of the men’s team, adding not only to the basketball program in terms of on court success, but bringing diversity to the team.
The student athlete life is an adjustment and settling into that lifestyle may seem challenging, but for sophomore forward Matt Massey, freshmen guard Damon Heuir and freshman center Matt Hodgson it isn’t that difficult.
Just how did these young men end up at SUU?
"When I was in high school the town manager was a very good basketball coach and he got in touch with (assistant head coach) Ron Carling,” Hodgson said. “Carling had a lot to do with Australian basketball, so they just put me in contact with him and it blossomed from there.”
Heuir said he was discovered because of a trickle down effect from the Hodgson signing last year.
“Matt got signed and then the coaches came across to Australia to watch him play in a tournament,” he said. “I was playing against him and they came and spoke to me after, we swapped details, a couple months later here I am.”
At other times, contacting comes from the players themselves.
“Ron Carling was over in Australia and I worked out for him and eventually I transferred schools here,” Massey said.
With talent also comes experience, and the level differs for the three.
Heuir said he has played since he was six years old, Massey said he has since he was fourteen and Hodgson recently started just four years ago.
The three also stumbled upon basketball differently as well.
“My whole family played, my parents played,” Heuir said. “I used to play basketball and rugby league and then I realized that I liked basketball more. I admire my family, my brother who actually played over in the states, he was the main reason I came over and checked it out for myself.”
Hodgson was more into academics before he chose the student athlete life.
“I wasn’t much of an athlete when I was younger,” he said. “I was more into academics, but a family friend of mine who played college basketball said it was a great way to come over and get a free education and play basketball, so here I am.”
Hodgson also said that his parents contribute to his basketball career as well.
“My parents, they have always let me do whatever I wanted to do,” he said. “They have always told me to pursue my dreams so I have a lot to thank for that.”
Massey said he attributes his basketball career to his height.
“When I started growing people always said I should play basketball and I did it,” he said.
He also contributes his inspiration to fellow Aussie basketball players.
“In terms of basketball, one guy that played at the University of Minnesota, Dusty Rychart,” he said. “Another guy Steven Black who just played back home, he was an un-athletic guy and made it.”
However, the biggest adjustment is perhaps the absence of family and living on their own.
“Living on your own is a big thing,” Heuir said “Having to learn to clean, cook and look after yourself rather than have your parents look after you, so that was a big step. I got use to that, going to school and balancing basketball — it’s all pretty crazy now.”
Hodgson said he made the adjustment when he moved out of his home prior to SUU.
“I actually moved out of home just before I came here,” he said. “Its definitely a lot different moving out of the whole country so it took a little bit of adjustment.”
Massey said he adjusted with close contact to family.
“I probably adjusted with a lot of phone calls to my mom,” he said. “(I) had to cook something, but it wasn’t too hard (adjusting to) the states — it’s pretty much the same as Australia in much respect.”
Hodgson, Heuir and Massey also find comfort in their native food.
Heuir explained what he misses about Australia.
“Back home I would say meat pies and sausage rolls but you don’t seem to have them here,” he said. “So probably a good meal from Chili’s will do.”
Hodgson mentioned another dish not likely to be found in the U.S.
“Kangaroo and wombat meat,” he said “But now having adjusted I would say sandwiches.”
With a smile on his lips Massey replied, “Wings.”
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