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Dream Big: A Greater Reward
March 2, 2005
Not all college basketball players have the opportunity to be an All-American, win a national championship, or continue their careers in the professional leagues. However, if you asked those who have accomplished the above mentioned feats as well as those who haven't, what the real reward in playing college basketball was, you would most likely receive a very similar answer. "When I came into the program, I understood I was a walk-on and my reward was to practice, travel, and dress for games. That was enough." These are the words of Purdue Boilermaker senior forward, Hannah Anderson. Anderson began her career as a Boiler being a student manager for the women's basketball team. It was during this time being around the team, coaching staff, and program, that her eyes were opened to the possibility of being involved with the team in a more significant role. "Being a manager let me know that I would be in a good situation, that I would be able to work hard and help fill a role that the team didn't have before. That made my decision to walk-on much easier." Anderson became only the 11th walk-on in Purdue basketball history as she joined the Boiler squad for the 2001-2002 season and nearly accomplished the feat of winning a national championship, but unfortunately, her team came up just short in a 68-66 heart-breaker to Notre Dame in the national championship game. Since that season, Anderson has remained a Boiler through and through despite suffering two ACL tears almost one year apart. "I never thought I wouldn't be able to play again. A lot of people tear their ACL and a lot of people come back. I knew I had to come back because I needed to fill my role on the team. I wanted to be there for my teammates. They were depending on me to get back." And fight back she did, earning an athletic scholarship for her commitment and desire to be a member of the program. "I didn't feel like I needed a scholarship, but when I got it, it was such a gift. I really felt honored and blessed to have it and really appreciate it. Coach Curry has always been there for me, she could have given up on me, but she was very loyal. That means more to me than I can really say." Anderson has accepted her role on the Purdue team and admits that through a few community service projects, she has been surprised how much young girls look up to her and her teammates. "Sometimes I get letters from little girls who say they think that me walking on is the neatest thing and that I'm their role model. That's a lot of responsibility. It makes you want to be better, knowing that other people are looking to you to set an example." Anderson, whose career ambition is to work in sports broadcasting at ESPN, understands why she is where she is today and has accomplished what she has. "The thing I've learned most is that hard work can get you anywhere and if you have a can-do attitude, you really can do anything you want to do. Hard work will present opportunities you never would have thought you could have." For Hannah Anderson, the journey she has endured over the last 5 years has been the reward. The people, the experience, the wins and loses, the heartache, and the glory have all made overcoming adversity and persevering to accomplish her goals a realization. Her journey came full-circle this past Sunday as Anderson celebrated Senior Day with her teammates in a 69-59 victory over Wisconsin. It's been said that no one achieves their goals unless they first dream they should, dream they could and will that they must. If there is a will, there is a way.
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