With the Big Ten women's basketball season well underway, Ohio State University's Courtney Coleman has her priorities and attitude in line. Although sports is a large part of Coleman's life, education remains the utmost concern. The junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, is pursuing a degree in communications. 

After staging an amazing comeback from injuries last season to win the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) Championship, the Buckeyes face similar challenges with a relatively young team this season. The team once again will use the "never say die" attitude to mount another successful campaign to receive an invitation to post-season play. Coleman says that the team's goal is to work hard but also to have fun. Sports should be enjoyed, according to Coleman. "Take advantage of the opportunities you get, the places you travel and people you meet, because it [sports] is a lifetime experience," she says.

The 6-foot forward first played competitive basketball in the eighth grade, rather late for most collegiate athletes. But being a "late bloomer" hasn't affected her performance. Last year, Coleman ranked third in Big Ten rebounding (8.2) and fourth in scoring (16.0) and placed 11th in the country with one of the top field goal percentages at 58 percent.

With continued hard work and determination, she has earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and ranks second and fourth respectively in Big Ten rebounding and scoring. Playing basketball as an older child meant Coleman had to adjust to playing as a team member. But continuing in sports has helped her learn how to play within the framework of a team and become an effective leader. Today, she is co-captain of the 2001-02 basketball squad and a successful student.