FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jamie Legner, Student Sports Information Assistant)
Jan. 30, 2012 - As a team captain and the lone senior on the North Central College men's basketball team, Kevin Gillespie has been an example to younger student-athletes in developing as a leader and as a player throughout a four-year career.
Playing in just six varsity games as a freshman, Gillespie began to earn regular playing time as a sophomore before cracking the starting lineup in all 26 games last season. The finance major is having his best season to date as a senior, averaging 8.5 points per game and leading the team with 33 three-pointers made. He also ranks among the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) leaders in three-point percentage.
Following Saturday's 77-74 overtime win at Carthage College, the Cardinals occupy first place in the CCIW standings and have won all nine home games so far this season. As he heads into the last three weeks of his final collegiate regular season, Gillespie has his sights set on helping lead the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2006.
Q: How long have you been playing basketball?
A: Ever since I can remember. I have five older brothers that played when they were younger and my dad played too. So the first thing I remember is playing basketball or some other sport with them.
Q: Does/did anyone else in your family play basketball?
A: My next oldest brother played at St. Ambrose University and my dad played in high school, as did my other brothers.
Q: Have you ever participated in any other sports besides basketball?
A: I played baseball up through my senior year of high school and soccer in high school too.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing basketball here at North Central College?
A: The teammates would be the main thing. The relationships I've formed being older are a lot different having freshman look up to you and stuff. I like playing that role and the camaraderie of it.
Q: What is the hardest thing about playing basketball?
A: Losing, definitely, in double overtime especially. (The Cardinals' lone CCIW loss was a
66-64 setback at Wheaton College on Jan. 14).
Q: What game of the season do you look forward to most?
A: The next game especially. Being first in the conference the next game is always going to be an important one.
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
A: Yeah, I listen to some Ke$ha and we'll just leave it at that I guess (laughs).
Q: Who is your biggest role model?
A: My parents, I guess I'll be cliché in that but everything I've ever done has been because of them or for them.
Q: What do you like most about North Central College?
A: The location, the size, the kids here. People always ask me if I like going here, I love it and I love it every year.
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: (laughs) not a lot. I play ping-pong pretty well, better than all my teammates.
Q: What has been your favorite class so far at North Central College?
A: I really liked Introduction to Law. But I really like Wealth Management that I'm in right now, it's really interesting to me.
Q: Are you involved in any on-campus activities?
A: I attend finance clubs and things that they put on.
Q: What is your major?
A: Finance/
Economics.
Q: Do you know what you want to end up doing with that major?
A: Something in Chicago, maybe securities analysis.
Q: What are some of the team's goals for this season?
A: We want to repeat as conference champs, win the conference tournament this year and make the NCAA Tournament.
Q: What are some of your own personal goals for this season?
A: To be a leader. Being the only senior it's kind of my job but more than anything I just wanted to enjoy the season more than I have in the past knowing it's my last one.
