Warren Ward | Men’s Basketball
Maclaine Chadwick | Fulcrum Staff
Photo courtesy of Richard Whittaker
“Meet a Gee-Gee” takes a look at the people under the jerseys. Whether they’re varsity athletes or otherwise, we ask the players questions you want answers to. We get the dirt, straight from the horse’s mouth.
MEET WARREN WARD: Fifth-year student and captain of the men’s basketball team. In an interview with the Fulcrum, Ward told us about his fondest memories of being a Gee-Gee, his plans for after graduation, and the biggest misconception about basketball.
The Fulcrum: What is the best part of being a Gee-Gee?
Warren Ward: The comradery. Everyone is so behind what you do here even though it’s not really that big of a deal. Everywhere I went, even when I was hurt, I go to the gym and people support me who don’t even know me. Or they know my name but I don’t know theirs, which is awkward but just as important. It’s like a big family.
If you had to play any other sport at the U of O, what would it be?
Football. I’ve played soccer before, so I would go with football because it’s a big sport here.
This is your fifth year; what are your plans for after graduation?
I’m going to graduate and get my degree, which is what I came here to do. I do have aspirations to play basketball overseas or even higher. I definitely want to play basketball and I want to do a master’s as well. As long as I’m in school and playing basketball… they go hand in hand for me.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I have a little bit of OCD when it comes to the way I keep things in my house—I like to keep things organized. I have a real obsession with music—I like to make and produce music—and I’m a bit of a bookworm, I like to read books that have nothing to do with school.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about basketball?
That basketball players aren’t smart, that we’re all just jocks—and I’m a big one. The higher you get up [in basketball] the faster the game becomes, and once you add speed to a game that’s already fast, you have to be pretty smart to make the right reads and have the right reactions. It takes a lot of intelligence to play high up.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Hygiene. If you go outside, it’s common courtesy to be clean.
Do you have any advice for first years?
Stay academically eligible every year—never ever fail. Your five years will go by very quickly, so enjoy every second you have. That may sound cliché, but it’s true. You have to.
My team would vote me most likely to…
Either become a pro or have a baby first.
What is the best or craziest memory from your time here?
In my second year… we beat Lakehead [University] by 40 points. I’ll never forget Coach Derouin coming in at the time and he started to dance with us as we were playing music. I have so many, though; my five years here have been a blast.
What has been your biggest honour from being here?
I won a Black History award twice for being a role model. For me, that’s big because I don’t usually win things and I don’t really consider myself a role model. And definitely representing my country, which was another big thing for me. It was something I said I wanted to do, and without coming here, playing, and excelling here, that wouldn’t have happened, so I hold on to this school.
What will you miss the most about being at the U of O?
I’m going to miss being a student. I’m going to miss going to class every day, the grind, the struggle, the studying, the late nights, and the responsibility. For five years I’ve done the same thing pretty much, so when that stops it’s going to hurt a little bit.
