Page 15 - Nac & SFA February 2015
P. 15
In it
In it By Jordan Moss
To Win It
Junior Thomas Walkup shares life on the court
The 2014-2015 SFA Lumberjack basketball
team is off to another hot start and helping lead the
way is red shirt junior Thomas Walkup.
Walkup came to the program from Pasadena in 2011
recruited by former head coach Danny Kaspar.
Current head coach Brad Underwood took over the
program following the 2012-2013 season.
“Coach Underwood makes things really easy and you
want to play for him,” Walkup said. Photo by Kasi Dickerson
Walkup spoke highly of the impact Underwood has
had on his life, both on and off the court. program to perform at a high level,” Walkup said. “I
“He’s had a big impact. He’s an idol of not only mine don’t think anybody is feeling that pressure because
that’s what we were brought into this program to do.”
but a lot of the players with just how he brings it
every day,” Walkup said. “He always talks about how Walkup has already completed his undergraduate
good things happen to those who work hard and I degree in management and is currently pursuing a
think I’ve really taken to that, not only on the court, second undergraduate degree in marketing.
but off the court and in the classroom.” Following his SFA basketball career, Walkup hopes
With the success of last year’s Lumberjack team, to continue playing potentially in professional
Walkup sees the program as one ready to make a leagues overseas.
jump in national prominence. “If I’m blessed enough, lucky enough to go play
“I think last year was a stepping stone for us to overseas or wherever that would be an awesome
become one of the top mid-major programs, and one opportunity. I’d love to do that,” Walkup said.
of the top programs in the nation period. That’s what While he has loved his time on the court, Walkup says
we’re trying to do and build here,” he said. that is not the only reason he loves playing at SFA.
Walkup was an instrumental part of last season’s “I love it. The people here are awesome and the
historic run in the NCAA Tournament; including support we have gotten has been incredible,” he
taking home the Southland Conference Tournament said. “The students, my friends, everybody here is so
Most Valuable Player award. welcoming and warming and I think that makes it
Walkup credits being around quality teammates for a real fun place, to not only play, but go to school.”
his success. Walkup noted that with or without playing basket-
“It’s been a blessing,” Walkup said. “When you have ball his time in Nacogdoches would remain special.
guys that are that good and talented around you it “You know it’s not all about basketball. If somebody
ups your own game. When you have guys that are in took basketball away from me I’d still be happy here
the gym all the time working on their game it makes going to school and enjoying my time,” he said.
you want to get in the gym and work on yours.”
The community of Nacogdoches has also impacted
Expectations have been raised in terms of what is a how Walkup views his time here.
successful season for the Jacks. After the run in March
Madness, the Jacks upped their level of competition “When you’re playing in front of a packed house and
in their non-conference portion of the schedule. you have that support coming home from the NCAA
Tournament and there are people in the parking
“I think that’s what everybody in this program is lot and people on campus for ‘Welcome Back the
about, so it’s not asking too much of anybody in this Jacks’ it feels good,” Walkup said. “It feels like you’re
representing a community and an area and we’re
happy to do that.”
FEBRUARY 2015 15
In it By Jordan Moss
To Win It
Junior Thomas Walkup shares life on the court
The 2014-2015 SFA Lumberjack basketball
team is off to another hot start and helping lead the
way is red shirt junior Thomas Walkup.
Walkup came to the program from Pasadena in 2011
recruited by former head coach Danny Kaspar.
Current head coach Brad Underwood took over the
program following the 2012-2013 season.
“Coach Underwood makes things really easy and you
want to play for him,” Walkup said. Photo by Kasi Dickerson
Walkup spoke highly of the impact Underwood has
had on his life, both on and off the court. program to perform at a high level,” Walkup said. “I
“He’s had a big impact. He’s an idol of not only mine don’t think anybody is feeling that pressure because
that’s what we were brought into this program to do.”
but a lot of the players with just how he brings it
every day,” Walkup said. “He always talks about how Walkup has already completed his undergraduate
good things happen to those who work hard and I degree in management and is currently pursuing a
think I’ve really taken to that, not only on the court, second undergraduate degree in marketing.
but off the court and in the classroom.” Following his SFA basketball career, Walkup hopes
With the success of last year’s Lumberjack team, to continue playing potentially in professional
Walkup sees the program as one ready to make a leagues overseas.
jump in national prominence. “If I’m blessed enough, lucky enough to go play
“I think last year was a stepping stone for us to overseas or wherever that would be an awesome
become one of the top mid-major programs, and one opportunity. I’d love to do that,” Walkup said.
of the top programs in the nation period. That’s what While he has loved his time on the court, Walkup says
we’re trying to do and build here,” he said. that is not the only reason he loves playing at SFA.
Walkup was an instrumental part of last season’s “I love it. The people here are awesome and the
historic run in the NCAA Tournament; including support we have gotten has been incredible,” he
taking home the Southland Conference Tournament said. “The students, my friends, everybody here is so
Most Valuable Player award. welcoming and warming and I think that makes it
Walkup credits being around quality teammates for a real fun place, to not only play, but go to school.”
his success. Walkup noted that with or without playing basket-
“It’s been a blessing,” Walkup said. “When you have ball his time in Nacogdoches would remain special.
guys that are that good and talented around you it “You know it’s not all about basketball. If somebody
ups your own game. When you have guys that are in took basketball away from me I’d still be happy here
the gym all the time working on their game it makes going to school and enjoying my time,” he said.
you want to get in the gym and work on yours.”
The community of Nacogdoches has also impacted
Expectations have been raised in terms of what is a how Walkup views his time here.
successful season for the Jacks. After the run in March
Madness, the Jacks upped their level of competition “When you’re playing in front of a packed house and
in their non-conference portion of the schedule. you have that support coming home from the NCAA
Tournament and there are people in the parking
“I think that’s what everybody in this program is lot and people on campus for ‘Welcome Back the
about, so it’s not asking too much of anybody in this Jacks’ it feels good,” Walkup said. “It feels like you’re
representing a community and an area and we’re
happy to do that.”
FEBRUARY 2015 15
