CURT YEOMANS, Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
Daily Commercial
December 14, 2005
LEESBURG, Fla. - Fats Cuyler knows a thing or two about making school history. The former Leesburg standout has led two teams to big tournaments after long droughts.
In high school, he led Leesburg to its first state tournament appearance in 25 years.
As a player at Cowley County Junior College (Kan.), he led his team to its first regional championship game in 50 years.
Now the Middle Tennessee State senior co-captain is trying to lead his team to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1989.
"History proves I've been part of winning programs, and I'm looking for history to repeat itself," said Cuyler, a 6-foot guard.
The Blue Raiders are 4-2 and will face non-conference challenges against Louisville (Dec. 20 in the Billy Minardi Classic) and Memphis (on Jan. 4, 2006).
Cuyler, who is averaging 13 points, 3.2 rebounds and two assists, feels the Blue Raiders' strength of schedule will prepare the team for play in the Sun Belt Conference, which begins in January. Middle Tennessee, which was picked to finish third in the East Division, will host the Sun Belt Conference Championships on March 2-7.
Cuyler believes in leading his teammates by example. He comes to practice to play hard every day, hoping his attitude will rub off on his younger teammates. He is the first player to go hard at practice, while his co-captain, junior forward Kyle Young, is the second person. Cuyler can't explain his dynamic with Young, but he said leadership comes naturally to them.
"True leaders are not always the people who lead in scoring or rebounds," Cuyler said. "They're the people who lead by example."
But Young describes Cuyler as the team's real leader. He said Cuyler works hard every day in practice, but he also works on making his co-captain a better leader by getting Young to be more vocal during games.
In high school, he led Leesburg to its first state tournament appearance in 25 years.
As a player at Cowley County Junior College (Kan.), he led his team to its first regional championship game in 50 years.
Now the Middle Tennessee State senior co-captain is trying to lead his team to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1989.
"History proves I've been part of winning programs, and I'm looking for history to repeat itself," said Cuyler, a 6-foot guard.
The Blue Raiders are 4-2 and will face non-conference challenges against Louisville (Dec. 20 in the Billy Minardi Classic) and Memphis (on Jan. 4, 2006).
Cuyler, who is averaging 13 points, 3.2 rebounds and two assists, feels the Blue Raiders' strength of schedule will prepare the team for play in the Sun Belt Conference, which begins in January. Middle Tennessee, which was picked to finish third in the East Division, will host the Sun Belt Conference Championships on March 2-7.
Cuyler believes in leading his teammates by example. He comes to practice to play hard every day, hoping his attitude will rub off on his younger teammates. He is the first player to go hard at practice, while his co-captain, junior forward Kyle Young, is the second person. Cuyler can't explain his dynamic with Young, but he said leadership comes naturally to them.
"True leaders are not always the people who lead in scoring or rebounds," Cuyler said. "They're the people who lead by example."
But Young describes Cuyler as the team's real leader. He said Cuyler works hard every day in practice, but he also works on making his co-captain a better leader by getting Young to be more vocal during games.
"These young guys (the Blue Raiders have nine newcomers) are going through tough times in the transition to this level of basketball," Young said. "Fats does a good job in leading them and showing them everything will work out."
Cuyler's dedication is something Blue Raiders coach Kermit Davis appreciates. Davis calls Cuyler the spirit of the team and the kind of player a coach enjoys working with. Players who don't practice what they preach won't be respected by their teammates, Davis feels, and it is the responsibility of Cuyler and Young to hold the team together.
"(Fats) is one of the best leaders and hardest workers I've seen in my 23 years as a coach," Davis said.
Cuyler's leadership abilities are perhaps a result of what he is doing in the classroom. He will graduate in May with a degree in Economics, and this semester he's taking classes in management, close relationships, coaching, marketing and business law.
"Management and leadership tie into each other and show me how to deal with different people," he said.
Money or potential fame aren't the driving forces that are keeping Cuyler focused on getting his degree. Born right after he finished high school, his 3-year-old daughter, Liyana, is the center of Cuyler's world. Cuyler's mother, Donna, is raising Liyana while he attends college.
Cuyler wants to provide a good life for his daughter and be a success in life because of her. Davis said Cuyler has discussed his daughter with him on several occasions and he wants to be a good father.
"She keeps me going," Cuyler said. "Because of her, it's my goal to become a successful person in life."
Cuyler is already planning his future. He plans to play basketball professionally or to become a coach or a business owner. Cuyler and Davis have discussed the possibility of him being graduate assistant and, possibly, an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee. Davis told him to take two years off and decide what he wants to do with his life, and he'll hire him if he chooses to be a coach. Davis has hired former players as assistants in the past.
"Being a coach is about loyalty and hard work," Davis said. "If he takes the same level of responsibility as a coach as he does as a player, he'll make a great coach."
Cuyler has already taken on a coaching role. He has been working with his younger teammates and has helped them improve as players. Young feels Cuyler's absence will be a key loss for the Blue Raiders next year.
"He's teaching these guys who are just coming into the program and helping them improve and fill his spot when he's gone," Young said.
Davis believes Cuyler will have plenty of opportunities to succeed in the future. He feels Cuyler will play professional basketball, and, eventually, become a coach who leads his team in the same manner he has led as a player.
"It's in his hands," Davis said. "He's going to do whatever he wants to do with his life."
Resources
Curt Yeomans
Daily Commercial
December 14, 2005
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
www.leesburgyellowjacketsbasketball.com
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