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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Interview With Josh Almanson
June 18, 2002 | Men's Basketball
June 18, 2002
Bowling Green State University men's basketball player Josh Almanson will be counted on to lead a very young Falcon squad during the 2002-03 season. The Bowling Green native is one of just three players who have two full years of experience, making BGSU one of the youngest teams in the MAC next year. He talks about his expectations and his experiences as a member of the Falcon program.
How has it been for you to play in front of your family and friends at BGSU?
"I've enjoyed it a lot playing in the same town as I've grown up in. I've lived here all of my life. I went to the games a lot when I was young and I just liked the atmosphere. It's neat, people ask me for tickets and it's nice to be able to have so many friends and family watching me play in college."
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your first two years of college?
"In general, completing two years of college and getting half-way done (towards my degree). It's important to graduate and enjoy everything else along the way."
"In basketball, making it to the MAC championship game was definitely a highlight this year. That was a lot of fun and making it to the post season this year was also fun. It would have been a lot nicer to get to the NCAA, but the NIT was a neat experience."
Now that you are one of the most experienced players on the team, have you looked forward to the challenge of taking on a leadership role?
"You know, being one of the older guys now you just have to look at what the four seniors that just left did, and try to follow their example. We have one senior, Cory Ryan and then we have three juniors; myself, Keven Netter and Jabari Mattox. We will be young with five sophomores and the three freshman coming in."
How is the relationship between the players and Coach Dakich since he came back?
"To tell you the truth it's pretty much the same atmosphere. When Coach Dakich came back, he came back on a Friday. We had continued to do things and it was almost like he didn't leave once we got back into it that Monday. Again, we just kept on doing the same thing. At the time, you know, it was different, the initial reactions and everything like that. Looking back on it now it just seems like he never left."
Knowing that coach is going to be here to see you finish your career, does that make it easier on a player.
"Definitely! You have an idea of what your coach expects. He really stresses personal improvement; we work on that all the time. Having him back is helping everyone improve. I'm glad we don't have to get used to a new system."
What would you like to be doing once you complete your career at BGSU?
"I would definitely like to continue playing basketball at some level. I would also like to get into teaching school eventually, and be involved in summer basketball programs."
I understand you are going on a trip to Australia this summer. How did that opportunity come about, and what do you expect to gain from it?
"Len Matela went last year on the trip and our coaches are pretty good friends with the organizer of the trip. Matela had a great time and, this year, Erik Crawford and myself will be going. I think it will be a good experience. We get to play against the Australian National Team for five days in a row and then we will play against some Australian professional teams after that. It will be a good experience playing, plus the trip to Australia will be interesting, too, I've never been there before."
What do you have to do to go?
"Right now Eric and I are in the process of raising the money for the trip. We are paying our own way. We don't leave 'til July 25th. Right now the fund-raising is going well, but every bit will help."
Do you feel that you have grown as a person since coming to BGSU?
"Yes, I have definitely gained some life experiences in college. You know just going through the hard work of a practice, weightlifting, and going to school and everything, you just learn how to manage time better."
What has been the most exciting thing you have experienced on the court as a Falcon?
"I would say when we beat Ball State to go to the MAC championship game because that was a team that beat us earlier in the year and we ended up beating them when it counted mostly. Playing in Gund Arena every year is a great experience."
How tough is the MAC?
"I think the MAC is very competitive. I think it is a very tough conference. I think there is a lot of balance among the teams. There is a lot of balance, a lot of good players and a lot of good teams."
What was your trip to Alaska like?
"It was a real neat experience. Just to say you've gone to Alaska. It was very cold up there, very cold. It hurt your body to go outside. There wasn't much to see, to tell you the truth. We did go dog sledding and that was fun but mostly we were there to play basketball."
What is it like to play a game when Anderson Arena is packed?
"It's a lot of fun. It gets so loud in there, during time outs. You can't hear people and what they're saying or what the coach is saying and when it explodes, it's just something else, to be a part of. I remember when I really started to get interested in Falcon basketball Antonio Daniels was playing and I remember going to a few games when it was all packed out and it was just really neat to be a part of that."
What goals do you have for you and the team next season?
"I want to be the guy every night out that you're going to be able to count on to score, grab rebounds and play defense. As a team, going into it you want to feel like you can win every game. It happens very rarely that a team goes undefeated in a season, but we definitely want to be competing for a MAC championship again. The NCAA tournament is another goal."
When you are away from basketball and class, what are your other hobbies?
"I like to play video games quite a bit. Visit friends and relatives. That's about it."
If a recruit's parents asked you why they should send their son to play basketball for BGSU, what would you tell them?
"I would just say coming here right now with Coach Dakich you're definitely going to do the right thing as far going to class, staying out of trouble, working as hard as you can at basketball. You're going to become a better person."
