Date Posted: April 7, 2011
Print Edition: April 1, 2011
By Paul Esau (Sports Editor) – Email
Name: Alyssa Gaukel
Sport: Basketball
Postion: Forward
Height: 6’0
Age:22
Favorite Animal: Giraffe
The UFV sports season is winding down, and it’s time to acknowledge those who have played their last game in the green-and-white, scored their last points, and dug their last hit. Over the coming weeks, The Cascade will be interviewing each of these individuals, recognizing them both for their character as leaders and their skill as players. These men and women are the “legends” of UFV Sports.
Where are you from?
I was born in White Rock, but I’m from Chilliwack. I graduated from Chilliwack Secondary.
How did you start playing basketball?
I started playing when I lived in Westfold. I was more of a soccer player, but I preferred the inside sports, so my dad told to me to gear towards one sport so I’d get good at one sport. I picked basketball because it’s inside and warm (laughs).
That’s why I played basketball too actually, right there. Soccer in BC just isn’t that fun.
No, it’s freezing.
How did you find your way to UFV?
[Coach] Al came in and recruited me. I actually didn’t look into UFV at first, but Al came and recruited me and the team was so welcoming. Al is not just a coach, he doesn’t just care about coaching the team. Personal level, school level, he cares about everything. That’s why I came.
You came directly from high school then?
Yup.
So you’ve played five years at UFV. What does that feel like?
It feels like it went by so fast, like I still remember my first year. In grade twelve I was practicing with the team, training with them, and I still remember that day. It’s really weird how fast it goes. It goes so fast, but so many different teams and so many memories.
How have you seen the basketball team grow or improve in the time you’ve been a part of it?
Definitely. The team cohesion has gotten better, like in my first year there was a lot of cliques and groups and this year by far has been like, everyone loves each other and everyone enjoys playing with each other and for each other.
And on a competitive level as well you’ve come a long way?
Yeah, just stronger players, more competitive. We push each other better in practice.
How did you have to adapt to play at this level?
I changed a lot. I changed my shot a little, and I wasn’t a very strong defender so I had to work on that a lot. And I was really lanky in high school so I had to…get buff. Work out. And eating habits, I had to change my eating habits. That was a big deal! You can’t just, like, run. I like thought in high school that you’re like, “okay, eat whatever cause I’m just going to run it off” but here it’s totally different.
What do you mean you can’t do that?
Because the way our practices go, if you eat junk before you’ll probably get sick. Whereas, in high school you can eat whatever and practices are easy, compared to here.
What’s been your favorite memory, if you had to pick one, as part of the UFV team?
Favourite memory? This year definitely has, like coming this far has definitely been–I mean Sweet Sixteen, and my last year has definitely been perfect. Compared to my first year where we’d play SFU and get knocked out right away.
Any crazy pranks?
No.
You never snuck out late at night and did anything?
No, definitely never snuck out. Al’s pretty strict, I was always…frightened to do anything wrong (laughs).
You already sort of mentioned this, but what’s one thing you really appreciate about [Coach] Al? As a coach? As a person?
Just that he’s so versatile in the way that he coaches and cares about us individually. I’ve heard stories about players transferring from our team saying how the [new] coach, you can’t go approach the coach about anything else but basketball, whereas with Al you can talk about school and your personal life. I’ve gone through some rough times where he’s helped me through; he’s pretty much my second dad.
If you had to pick a five-player UFV dream team through all the years you’ve played, all the players you’ve played with, who would you pick? With yourself as a starting guard obviously.
Bridget O’Brien…Aieisha Luyken…
And why, I should mention that.
Um…Aieisha Luyken probably because I feel so old on the team this year and I’ve just become really close to her. Our friendship has really grown. Bridget O’Brien because she’s pretty much like my sister, and Tiffany Boswell…I went to high school with her, and she played here for a couple years. She’s one of my best friends too, and I really enjoy playing with her. That’s three so I have one more? Probably Sam Hill just because she’s so experienced and was like the mother of our team.
What was the team’s biggest accomplishment during your time at UFV?
Well the years that [Al] brought in Aieisha and Chilliwack [recruits], these last two years. There have been so many fresh recruits who are super competitive, I mean a whole bunch of versatile players. I think it changed a lot about our program. I think the Junior Cascades program in the summer helped, because it brought in some recruits for Al. I think a lot of the players in their second year played on the Junior Cascades program.
What has kept you playing basketball through your university career? What do you love about it?
Just the competitiveness…a passion…when you’re out there, I can’t really explain it, but I feel connected to it. Anything else I do is not near as fun. It’s just so fun playing with my team, for my team. It’s really exciting to have people come watch you do something that you like to do.
So nothing about dominating your opponent, scoring over somebody, or crossing them up?
Yeah, definitely scoring threes on someone’s face.
Are you a competitive personality?
Yes, very competitive (laughs).
What do you most appreciate about being part of UFV?
Your teachers actually care about you, everyone cares, and notices if you’re a student athlete. Just wearing that Cascade jersey…I don’t know, our school has a lot of pride.
In one sentence, what’s the most important piece of advice you’d have for a student coming into UFV?
Like an athlete or just anyone?
Either.
Probably for an athlete, you’re not going to be able to eat whatever you want anymore (laughs). And for a student, I don’t know. I struggled my first year a lot with my courses. Staying organized is important. Finding the balance between school, time, work and sports I guess.
And last question, where are you going from here?
Well, I have another year of my PDP, and then I’d like to teach, but I’d like to teach in Italy, and possibly, if I can, find a team to jump on. I’d still like to play or coach and stay involved in basketball.
That’s not a half bad plan. Well thank you very much for your time.
Thank you.
