Behind the Scenes: Basketball's Unsung Heroes
Dec 26, 2015 | Men's Basketball
"CHRIS COLLINS THREEEE POINTER!"
Chace Murphy's iconic voice reverberated through Reed Arena as the Reed Rowdies all leaped and landed in unison.
When Collins made his walk-on debut against Northwestern State last year, the Friendswood native said hearing his name announced for the first time was a surreal moment he'll never forget.
"My body went numb, I was shaking a little bit," Collins said. "We're so used to hearing everyone else's names called when a basket is scored and when you hear yours it's pretty cool."
Walking on to an elite Division I basketball team is tough.
It takes dedication, extreme work ethic and grueling hours in the gym all for games in which playing time isn't assured.
Collins, along with fellow walk-ons Kyle Dobbins, Juan Aparicio, T.J. Distefano and Frank Byers would know.
"It's obviously not the most glorified position," Dobbins said. "It's a lot of sacrifice because you're not coming here to be a star."
He described entering college as a walk-on like going from the top (in high school) to the bottom of the totem pole, working hard to prove one's self and unselfishly produce results for the good of the team as a whole.
For Dobbins, infusing infectious energy into the team while working hard behind the scenes and still earning a degree in mechanical engineering has been a delicate balancing act. But looking back on his journey from his freshman to senior year, he said that being a walk-on has been well worth it.
"It's tough at times, but year by year you just become more acclimated with your role," Dobbins said. "It's been a learning experience but it's been the best thing I've ever done."
Encouraging teammates, working hard in weights and conditioning, diligently watching film in order to run opponents' game plans during practice and providing a constant stream of energy on and off the bench are some of the tasks these athletes accomplish.
Players dedicate five to six hours every day to be a part of Aggie Basketball.
Each player has personal reasons for committing to A&M. For Collins, it meant giving up other opportunities in order to chase his dream.
"In high school, I had a couple of small school offers but I wanted to be part of a big school and have a big tradition," Collins said. "I just loved A&M. My sister was here and it was always my dream school to play at."
Since moving to College Station in the sixth grade, freshman T.J. Distefano has been around the Aggie atmosphere for seven years. When he got the chance to walk on to the Maroon & White squad, he was bold as well.
"When the opportunity presented itself, it was something I couldn't say no to," Distefano said.
Knowing their responsibilities, walk-ons work hard to fill the roles in which they are needed the most.
"As a walk-on, you've got to always be positive because no matter how you're feeling you've got to be able to motivate everybody else," Distefano said. "They might be having an off day out there and you've got to be able to step right in behind them and tell them to keep going, keep pushing and you just always have be ready in case you have to be in the position they're in."
When exhaustion sets it, their mindsets have to stay strong.
"You want to do everything you can to get everyone going and keep the energy high," Collins said. "You want to be there for your teammates at all times."
And that means sacrificing visits home (even on holidays), free time and being a typical college student. But right before boarding the bus to go to Arizona State this year, Dobbins received an unnerving call. His father was in the hospital with a blood clot in his leg.
Although he wanted to be there for teammates, his coaches encouraged him to be with his family, so he surprised his father right after he was released from ICU. Yet watching the game, Dobbins was still itching to be a part of the action.
"He's awesome now," Dobbins said. "But it was weird watching the game from the couch, on the edge of my seat wanting to be there, just thinking if I could be there what could I do to be helping?"
Dobbins said his sister Marisa, now a nurse in Washington D.C., ran track at North Carolina and showed him how to be a successful student-athlete. His parents continually influence and inspire him with their support, too.
"Sometimes just the coming of age and being away from your parents, you realize, in my case, how awesome they were and continue to be," Dobbins said. "They come to all the games."
Even with limited in-game action, Dobbins has also amassed a large fan club who wave Kyle Dobbins fatheads and lose their voices when he makes an appearance.
"Rarely at other schools would someone like me even get the attention that I've been fortunate enough to get because of our loyal fans," Dobbins said. "I think my curly red hair had something to do with it."
But recognition is not what motivates Dobbins. His motivation comes from caring about his teammates.
"It comes from just loving the dudes on the team, being a friend and trying to be the best teammate I can be," Dobbins said.
He said his favorite team memory was the wild atmosphere when Elston Turner scored a career-high 40 points during the Aggies' 2013 upset victory over Kentucky.
"In Rupp Arena, one of the most legendary arenas in all the country in basketball history, we beat Kentucky at Kentucky," Dobbins said. "It was unreal getting to experience that in the locker room. We were just going crazy jumping around."
Dobbins said in that moment he realized the full magnitude of college basketball. He feels lucky to contribute to the team.
In New Jersey, the Monmouth Hawks' basketball "Bench Mob" makes headlines by conducting hyped up, high-energy sideline celebrations in which walk-ons reenact several creative scenarios from catching a prized bass to shooting arrows like The Hunger Games' Katniss Everdeen. Since the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, they have recently incorporated the Force choke of the Dark Side.
"They're the walk-on idols right now around the country," Collins said. "Kyle and I have been trying to work out some things like kicking field goals and hitting baseballs but we're in the process of brainstorming to get to their level."
In addition to enthusiasm and perseverance, Distefano has also learned about patience.
"I've learned to push though when I thought I couldn't take any more and just patience," Distefano said. "You go through the same thing that everybody else does, the weights, the conditioning, the practice. Even though you don't get the same amount of opportunities, it's a great experience so you're just patient, waiting on your chance and taking advantage of what you have."
Distefano's father, James, the team physician, is proud of his son's dedication.
"Oh man, he likes to show me off a little too much, posts on Facebook about me way too often," Distefano said with a laugh.
The freshman also feels embraced by the extended Aggie family.
"All these guys, I treat like my brothers," Distefano said. "We're like a huge family."
In upcoming games, these bonds will continue to strengthen and better the team.
"When we play together and play hard, it's tough to beat us," Distefano said. "We should have a very successful season."
Cheering in the locker room, traveling to hotels and exotic venues, practicing, sacrificing and cherishing the bonds and memories day in and day out contribute to the unforgettable, unsung experience of a Texas A&M walk-on.
"Every aspect of being a part of the team has been such a blessing and such a unique experience that I would not trade anything for," Dobbins said.
Lessons like patience, hard work, academic achievement and time management are instilled in the walk-ons, boiling down to an attitude that makes the most of every opportunity.
"Four years of this and then it's gone," Dobbins said. "So don't blink."
Chace Murphy's iconic voice reverberated through Reed Arena as the Reed Rowdies all leaped and landed in unison.
When Collins made his walk-on debut against Northwestern State last year, the Friendswood native said hearing his name announced for the first time was a surreal moment he'll never forget.
"My body went numb, I was shaking a little bit," Collins said. "We're so used to hearing everyone else's names called when a basket is scored and when you hear yours it's pretty cool."
Walking on to an elite Division I basketball team is tough.
It takes dedication, extreme work ethic and grueling hours in the gym all for games in which playing time isn't assured.
Collins, along with fellow walk-ons Kyle Dobbins, Juan Aparicio, T.J. Distefano and Frank Byers would know.
"It's obviously not the most glorified position," Dobbins said. "It's a lot of sacrifice because you're not coming here to be a star."
He described entering college as a walk-on like going from the top (in high school) to the bottom of the totem pole, working hard to prove one's self and unselfishly produce results for the good of the team as a whole.
For Dobbins, infusing infectious energy into the team while working hard behind the scenes and still earning a degree in mechanical engineering has been a delicate balancing act. But looking back on his journey from his freshman to senior year, he said that being a walk-on has been well worth it.
"It's tough at times, but year by year you just become more acclimated with your role," Dobbins said. "It's been a learning experience but it's been the best thing I've ever done."
Encouraging teammates, working hard in weights and conditioning, diligently watching film in order to run opponents' game plans during practice and providing a constant stream of energy on and off the bench are some of the tasks these athletes accomplish.
Players dedicate five to six hours every day to be a part of Aggie Basketball.
Each player has personal reasons for committing to A&M. For Collins, it meant giving up other opportunities in order to chase his dream.
"In high school, I had a couple of small school offers but I wanted to be part of a big school and have a big tradition," Collins said. "I just loved A&M. My sister was here and it was always my dream school to play at."
Since moving to College Station in the sixth grade, freshman T.J. Distefano has been around the Aggie atmosphere for seven years. When he got the chance to walk on to the Maroon & White squad, he was bold as well.
"When the opportunity presented itself, it was something I couldn't say no to," Distefano said.
Knowing their responsibilities, walk-ons work hard to fill the roles in which they are needed the most.
"As a walk-on, you've got to always be positive because no matter how you're feeling you've got to be able to motivate everybody else," Distefano said. "They might be having an off day out there and you've got to be able to step right in behind them and tell them to keep going, keep pushing and you just always have be ready in case you have to be in the position they're in."
When exhaustion sets it, their mindsets have to stay strong.
"You want to do everything you can to get everyone going and keep the energy high," Collins said. "You want to be there for your teammates at all times."
And that means sacrificing visits home (even on holidays), free time and being a typical college student. But right before boarding the bus to go to Arizona State this year, Dobbins received an unnerving call. His father was in the hospital with a blood clot in his leg.
Although he wanted to be there for teammates, his coaches encouraged him to be with his family, so he surprised his father right after he was released from ICU. Yet watching the game, Dobbins was still itching to be a part of the action.
"He's awesome now," Dobbins said. "But it was weird watching the game from the couch, on the edge of my seat wanting to be there, just thinking if I could be there what could I do to be helping?"
Dobbins said his sister Marisa, now a nurse in Washington D.C., ran track at North Carolina and showed him how to be a successful student-athlete. His parents continually influence and inspire him with their support, too.
"Sometimes just the coming of age and being away from your parents, you realize, in my case, how awesome they were and continue to be," Dobbins said. "They come to all the games."
Even with limited in-game action, Dobbins has also amassed a large fan club who wave Kyle Dobbins fatheads and lose their voices when he makes an appearance.
"Rarely at other schools would someone like me even get the attention that I've been fortunate enough to get because of our loyal fans," Dobbins said. "I think my curly red hair had something to do with it."
But recognition is not what motivates Dobbins. His motivation comes from caring about his teammates.
"It comes from just loving the dudes on the team, being a friend and trying to be the best teammate I can be," Dobbins said.
He said his favorite team memory was the wild atmosphere when Elston Turner scored a career-high 40 points during the Aggies' 2013 upset victory over Kentucky.
"In Rupp Arena, one of the most legendary arenas in all the country in basketball history, we beat Kentucky at Kentucky," Dobbins said. "It was unreal getting to experience that in the locker room. We were just going crazy jumping around."
Dobbins said in that moment he realized the full magnitude of college basketball. He feels lucky to contribute to the team.
In New Jersey, the Monmouth Hawks' basketball "Bench Mob" makes headlines by conducting hyped up, high-energy sideline celebrations in which walk-ons reenact several creative scenarios from catching a prized bass to shooting arrows like The Hunger Games' Katniss Everdeen. Since the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, they have recently incorporated the Force choke of the Dark Side.
"They're the walk-on idols right now around the country," Collins said. "Kyle and I have been trying to work out some things like kicking field goals and hitting baseballs but we're in the process of brainstorming to get to their level."
In addition to enthusiasm and perseverance, Distefano has also learned about patience.
"I've learned to push though when I thought I couldn't take any more and just patience," Distefano said. "You go through the same thing that everybody else does, the weights, the conditioning, the practice. Even though you don't get the same amount of opportunities, it's a great experience so you're just patient, waiting on your chance and taking advantage of what you have."
Distefano's father, James, the team physician, is proud of his son's dedication.
"Oh man, he likes to show me off a little too much, posts on Facebook about me way too often," Distefano said with a laugh.
The freshman also feels embraced by the extended Aggie family.
"All these guys, I treat like my brothers," Distefano said. "We're like a huge family."
In upcoming games, these bonds will continue to strengthen and better the team.
"When we play together and play hard, it's tough to beat us," Distefano said. "We should have a very successful season."
Cheering in the locker room, traveling to hotels and exotic venues, practicing, sacrificing and cherishing the bonds and memories day in and day out contribute to the unforgettable, unsung experience of a Texas A&M walk-on.
"Every aspect of being a part of the team has been such a blessing and such a unique experience that I would not trade anything for," Dobbins said.
Lessons like patience, hard work, academic achievement and time management are instilled in the walk-ons, boiling down to an attitude that makes the most of every opportunity.
"Four years of this and then it's gone," Dobbins said. "So don't blink."
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