SNOWDA WATIE – NSU Women’s Basketball
The 31-mile trek along Highway 51 from her hometown of Stilwell to the top of the hill in Tahlequah has been similar to that of a basketball game for Snowda Watie, now in her second year on the Northeastern State University women’s basketball team. And, for the 5-foot-2 “gentle giant”, the experiences on and off the floor have a definite home court advantage.
“From the very start and everyday since, NSU has been the right choice for me,” said the RiverHawks sophomore with a smile. “I feel like I’m at home because of how everyone wants to help me succeed.
“As far as playing basketball, I like Ferg’s (Keith Ferguson) coaching style. He’s been true to his word. The family environment within our team is a real bonus. We all have the same approach…work hard in order to win. We know what we need to do and together we’ll get it done.”
Time management demands for Watie as a college athlete while in pursuit of her degree could also be challenging when trying to balance her basketball schedule with the classroom requirements. Yet, according to Snowda, the NSU college experience matches her playing style of pushing the pace in order to get herself ready for the next game.
“It’s encouraging when you see one your professors in the stands at a home game and even a road game or two cheering for you to win. They’re always ready to help by making themselves available to the students needs whether that is adjusting office hours for consultations or using email to find answers to any questions or concerns,” said Watie who majors in Health and Human Performance with a game plan to become a physical therapist. “The extra study sessions beyond the regular scheduled class time where professors go over the content that was discussed in class is like getting more time putting up shots in the gym with your coach while going over a scouting report. ”
And even though she may be the smallest player on the court, Snowda Watie sees herself as a giant playmaker in the classroom and on the basketball court.
“I’ve learned to use my ‘smallness’ to an advantage. Whenever a taller player brings the ball down the court in to my territory, I can just grab it off the bounce and go the other way,” Watie replied.
Ask to define herself in three words; Watie didn’t hesitate to reply with a voice of compassion and determination.
“I’ve always been hard working, eager to rise to any challenge. Because of the influence of family members as well as my beliefs in Jesus Christ, my confidence remains strong in good times or bad. That’s why I try to remain enthusiastic and always see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
That same enthusiasm also explains why Snowda Watie believes that Northeastern State University offers the right choice for any college student.
“You can become whoever you want to be and everyone at NSU will go out of their way to walk step by step with you to help you accomplish your dreams.”
