FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Lauren Brightmore, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Jan. 10, 2011 - North Central College junior Alison Musur tips off the New Year ready to light up the scoreboard.  Playing guard for the North Central College Cardinals, Alison rejoins her team on the court this week after a concussion injury earlier in the women's basketball season. While some athletes get discouraged when faced with an injury, Alison stayed positive because she loves the game and her team.  In addition to her love for basketball, Alison is also a member of the women's lacrosse team in the spring. When she isn't on the court or the field, Alison focuses on her schoolwork pursuing majors in mathematics, economics, and finance.  She is also active on campus, serving as the president of Math Club and treasurer of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). 

Get to Know Alison Musur

Q: How did you stay motivated for the team while injured?

 

A: Well, I love my team.  They are the best girls and so sweet.  I wanted to be at practice even though I couldn't play just to push them to keep going. 

 

Q: As a two-sport athlete, do you favor one sport over the other?

 

A: It's hard to pick.  I've been playing basketball since I was seven, and then they started the lacrosse team here at North Central, and lacrosse is so much fun. I just like both sports.

 

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player? 

 

A: Steve Nash.  I like how he plays, and I think that's how basketball should be played.  He's not like a LeBron just scoring points. Last year he averaged 11 assists and 17 points per game.  That's amazing. 

 

Q: How do you prepare for a game? Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?

 

A: I'm not very superstitious.  Our team has some rituals though, like we listen to R. Kelly's The World's Greatest five times before a game. 

 

Q: Having transferred to North Central from another college, what influenced your decision to come here and play for the Cardinals?

 

A: I didn't enjoy the teaching style at my previous college, so I was influenced towards North Central because in fifth grade and later in high school I went to basketball camps here. I always loved the campus, so that's why I looked at the school, and then playing basketball just kind of worked out. 

 

Q: What on-campus activities are you involved with?

 

A: I'm president of the Math Club and treasurer of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). 

 

Q: What projects are SAAC currently working on?

 

A:  We just finished a project over December term called Project Linus where we made tie blankets for people in need. The organization also works on a project that provides homeless children with sack lunches.  I like how SAAC focuses a lot on community service.  We have representatives from each sport unite under causes and projects bigger than the College and ourselves.  SAAC will also be planning for the student-athlete dance soon, held in the spring. 

 

Q: What do you plan on doing with your degree in math, economics, and finance after graduation?

 

A: I was thinking about going into property and casualty insurance.

 

 

Q: If you had to recommend one class to incoming math, economics, or finance majors, what would it be?

 

A: Anything with Professor Pons.  He's one of the best teachers because he's young and understands how students like to be taught. 

 

Q: What are your predictions for the team this season?

 

A: I really think we'll be successful.  We had some transfer students and new freshman join the team, so we have a lot of potential.  When we played Illinois Wesleyan last week, we were in it for most of the game, but then we'd have a few plays off, and they would get ahead.  Illinois Wesleyan is a good team and makes it to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship a lot, but like with any other team, we still need to play our game for the full 40 minutes. 

 

Q: If you could have a shootout with anyone of your choosing, who would it be and why?

 

A: Michael Jordan. He would kick my butt, but it would be fun to play him. 

 

Q: What is the best advice that a coach has given you?

 

A: A coach of mine used to say during hard times, there's two things you can do: suck it up and deal with it or sit and feel sorry for yourself.  I live by that philosophy.  When I have tons of homework, projects, or issues outside of school, I choose to suck it up and deal with it rather than sit and pout about it.