COURTNEY LEE
Courtney Lee is a three-year starter for the Northeastern State University basketball team who averaged 10.9 points a game last year and helped lead the team to the MIAA playoffs. And though there have been ups and downs in the four years that she has played for the RiverHawks, it’s a decision that Lee says she’s glad she made.
“There were some times in the early going when I questioned my decision but now that I’m in my senior year I would rate being at NSU a 10-out-of-10 decision.”
And as we’ll see later, she’s now putting those early experiences to good use.
She feels there are several factors that have helped her overcome those early doubts.
“Being fairly close to home in Sallisaw has helped and I’ve made some really good friends here. But most of all I just love the community. I belong to SAAC-Student Athlete Advisory Committee-that reaches out to the young people in the town. I had a pen pal who was an elementary student that I mentored and would visit once a week or so. We just played games and hung out together. He would have such a big smile when I would come over and that gave me such joy.”
Turning to campus life, another thing that Lee has found is the willingness of the academic staff to work with her and her athletic schedule.
“The professors are very supportive of working with my basketball schedule to help me keep up,” explained Courtney. “A lot of them will come to my games or read about them and they show an interest in my basketball career and that shows me they really care.”
Now that she’s a senior and one of the more experienced members of the basketball team, Courtney remembers those early times in her career when she had some doubts as she leads this year’s group which includes nine freshmen.
“I try to lead by example and if the younger players are feeling discouraged, I’ll remember how I felt at times my freshman year and share some of my experiences with them to encourage them.”
A Central Sallisaw graduate, Courtney says whether you’re an athlete or just a student, NSU is a great place to be.
“It’s not so big that you can’t meet people but not too small either. It’s a great place to reach out and try new things and not be overwhelmed. The support from the professors and the community is amazing and I know it’s been a good place for me to grow and find out who I am. NSU has been the perfect fit for me.”
