Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 11, 1995 TAG: 9505110052
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Then again, the former Radford University basketball player never imagined that less than four months after graduation he would be in Groningen, Holland, preparing to continue his basketball career.
After the Highlanders were eliminated in the semifinals of the last year's Big South Conference Tournament, Travis began prepping his resume in hopes of gaining a job in the "real world." Then people began inquiring about the 6-foot-7-inch Cambridge, Md., native's interest in playing overseas.
"I was just in the right place at the right time," said Travis, who led the Highlanders in scoring (16.4) and rebounding (6.3) his senior season. "The right people got a hold of a tape [of Travis playing], and a week after the Big South Tournament an agent was willing to find me a place to play ball. It was an opportunity nobody could turn down. Not many people get that sort of opportunity, so I felt I had to take advantage of it."
Travis did take advantage of the opportunity, averaging 19 points and 9.8 rebounds per game playing for Arg donar, en route to making the All-Star team in Holland's top league. Travis also helped his team make the playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round.
"Holland is a good place for a person like myself to start," said Travis, who majored in criminal justice. "It definitely wasn't the NBA, but I had a lot of fun."
Despite his success, there were some adjustments to be made, not the least of which was the language barrier. While most people in Holland speak English, it is a boon to a newcomer's assimilation if he is able to speak the native language, Dutch.
Though Travis would not go so far as to call himself fluent in Dutch, he was able to communicate with the locals in their native tongue. He credits children he met during appearances for club sponsors with accelerating his learning curve.
"A lot of those kids were just learning to speak English, and they would say five words in Dutch and five in English," said Travis, who led RU in rebounding in each of his four seasons. "It made it easier for me to pick up on the language. I enjoyed the struggle of speaking a new language. It made me feel good to learn it, and it makes them feel good to see you trying to learn their way of life."
In addition to easing the assimilation process, learning to understand the language allowed Travis to do one other thing: read the local papers.
American players are expected to produce big numbers and are forced to live under public scrutiny that Travis wasn't subjected to at RU. In addition to his performance on the hardwood, Travis also had to be aware of how he comported himself in public.
"I didn't know what they were printing in the local papers [before he could comprehend the language], and they expect Americans to put up double-doubles [double figures in points and rebounds] every night," Travis said. "You also must present yourself well in public to the sponsors. Every part of your life is under the microscope: your basketball, your social life, how late you stay out."
The upside to this public examination of one's lifestyle was the fervor with which the people of Holland support their teams. Unlike the usually sedate crowds in America, Europeans routinely sing and drink alcoholic beverages, which increase their vociferous ways. All of which played into the hands of Travis, who was noted for his theatrics at RU.
"Basketball fans there are truly fanatics, and the atmosphere is incredible," Travis said. "I love playing in front of a rowdy crowd. The fans there are crazy, and they will let you know if you are not doing well."
While Travis clearly enjoyed his time in Holland, his return there is far from certain. In Europe, where there isn't the premium placed on size that there is in America, players with Travis' versatility are in demand. Travis is big enough to play in the paint but has the ability to play on the perimeter with equal effectiveness, all of which make him an attractive commodity to other leagues throughout Europe.
The Highlanders' career leader in blocked shots has received overtures from teams in France, Spain, Israel and his team in Holland about his availability for the coming season. The quality of competition and money are much better in France and Spain, which makes each country a desirable destination. The one destination Travis doesn't see in his basketball future is home.
"I don't see myself playing in the States," said Travis, who ranks in the RU career top 10 in points (fourth), rebounds (third), steals (seventh) and blocked shots (first). "I enjoy the challenge of playing in different countries and learning the different cultures and customs."
Highlander Has Beens: Former RU pitcher Phil Leftwich, the first RU athlete to play in a major professional sports league, was placed on the 60-day disabled list by the California Angels. Leftwich underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder (his throwing shoulder) and hopes to be back by midseason. Leftwich was 5-10 with a 5.68 earned-run average last season in 20 starts.
Another RU baseball product in the Angels organization, Denny Van Pelt, has reportedly left his rookie league team in Boise, Idaho.
Baseball Blues: The RU baseball team's quest for a Big South Conference title was dealt a damaging blow by Liberty. The Flames took two out of three games from RU, relegating the Highlanders to third place.
The Highlanders appeared to be on their way to capturing the series when, after winning the first game of the series, 9-0, they had a 7-4 lead in the first game of a doubleheader. But a three-run homer by the Flames sent the game into extra innings, where Liberty prevailed, 9-7. The Highlanders lost the decisive game of the series, 15-2.
RU must win at least five of its last six conference games to have any shot at advancing to post-season play. RU closes the season with Coastal Carolina and Towson State. Both series will be on the road.
Tennis Time: For the second consecutive year Nina Kapitan was named the most valuable player of the RU women's tennis team, and Alex Woodbury was named the most improved player. The Highlanders finished third in the conference.
Chris King covers Radford University sports for the New River Valley bureau.
by CNB