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An in-depth look at Division III Posted Aug. 26, 1999 |
Notebooks Great Lakes Midwest Northeast Check out D3football.com |
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By Scott Granowitz Behind the bright lights of the Big East and ACC perhaps the best Jewish college basketball player this season was found patrolling the hardwood for tiny Hamilton College in upstate New York. Michael Schantz is his name, and the 6-5 forward out of Sharon, Mass., capped a brilliant collegiate career as he received the Jostens Trophy, given out annually to the nation's top Division III performer who displays "excellence in the classroom, on the playing court and in the community." As a star basketball player at Sharon High School, Schantz forecasted that the best college fit for him would be one that would prepare him for the real world at both an academic and social level. "I guess I was being selfish," said Schantz on why he chose the nationally acclaimed liberal arts institution. "I wanted the best of both worlds, education and athletics. Lucky for me, Hamilton and I found each other." Although the multi-cultural Hamilton student body is quite different from the heavily Jewish Boston suburb that Schantz grew up in, he saw his new environment as a place to grow and learn about other ethnic groups. "While Sharon is a Jewish oriented town with a lot of Jewish people, I've spent a lot of time with all different kinds of people," said Schantz. "Coming here people are accepting of all types of people and that's why it's a really good place." On the court, Schantz credits his father for teaching him how to play the game and be the best he can be. Hamilton head coach Tom Murphy, who has been at the helm for the past 29 years, also played a major role in his development. Murphy taught Schantz and his teammates the importance of a hard work ethic, the complete team concept, and to treat everyone with the same respect no matter their interest and backgrounds, as the reality is that athletes are no more important than non-athletes. A great athlete with terrific leaping ability and a nice touch, Schantz averaged 25.9 points (8th best in the nation) and 12.4 rebounds (2nd best) this season for the Continentals, who reached the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year. Hamilton (16-11), a representative of the tough New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), qualified for the NCAA Tournament in each of Schantz's four seasons. One of Schantz's most memorable experiences was participating in the 1997 Maccabiah Games in Israel. These games made Schantz feel in a way that he was representing the Jewish people, something that he did not feel at the college level. "It was an opportunity for us [Jewish players] to show collectively as a group that we were good basketball players, period," stated Schantz. "There is no color in basketball. There is no religion in basketball." The friendships, culture, and the opportunity to play the sport he loves so much made the experience so lasting. "I was able to make some great friends," said Schantz. "I felt it really helped my basketball a lot. I got to play for a great coach [Herb Brown, the ex-NBA coach and noted author on basketball plays]. I got to expand my heritage and understand more about my heritage." The American contingent took the bronze medal, the first time in the history of the games that they had not won either the gold or the silver. They were upset in the semifinals by a veteran group from England, that included international pros from the British and Israeli leagues, while the American team was comprised of college players. "It was tough to swallow," said a disappointed, but proud Schantz. "I've never been with a group of guys that competitive. On any given night, any team can beat anyone. We saw that this season with Duke and UConn." Schantz and his Jewish compatriots put out an impressive performance in the bronze medal game, pressing Israel to an 80-62 victory, the biggest Maccabiah victory over Israel by the USA in years. Schantz played a big role in the game, frustrating the Israeli star, Tal Bornstein, with a tough pressing defense that created many steals. Bornstein, a 6-6 point-guard, is widely considered to be one of Israel's next great players. Schantz proved at the Maccabiah that he was able to use his athletic ability in playing the backcourt, even though at Hamilton he was a frontcourt player. One of the friendships that Schantz made at the Games was with Ryan Lexer, a 6-9 graduate ('98) of Towson University. Lexer played this past season for Israeli first division club Hapoel Holon and had such a positive experience that he plans on playing in Israel for many years. Although Schantz is unsure of long-term plans, the economics graduate plans to play pro for a year in the homeland of his ancestors. Schantz leaves Hamilton as the second player in school history to amass over 2000 points and 1000 rebounds during his college career. In addition, he was named an NABC Division III All-American his junior and senior years. One of the best players to ever come out of the NESCAC (arguably the best conference in Division III), Schantz was Rookie of the Year (1995-96) and made All-NESCAC his sophomore, junior, and senior years. One of the key elements that propelled Schantz to winning the Jostens Trophy was his volunteering in the NABC "Dream to Read" program. It is this kind of love for life that makes Schantz the complete student-athlete, something that should go far next season when he competes in Israel. Perhaps his college coach summed it up best. "He's the first one on the court and the last one to leave," said Tom Murphy. "When you have someone with that kind of work ethic, it's bound to spread throughout the team. |
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