Patience pays dividends on the court for Stacie Travis
by Jim Clark, assistant sports information director
CEDARVILLE, Ohio (2-8-2007) - It is a story that many sports fans can identify with. An athlete faithfully fills a role on the bench, waits patiently for a chance and when that opportunity comes, steps up to find success as an integral part of the team. Four years ago when Stacie Travis set her 5-foot 4-inch frame on the campus of Cedarville University, few people had any idea of the impact she would have on the Lady Jacket basketball program.
The Greenbrier Christian Academy grad had played both basketball and volleyball during her prep career. She was a four-year letter winner in basketball and was named conference player of the year for efforts in her senior season. Travis led her team and conference by scoring 26 points per game.
So how did Travis even find her way to Ohio from her home state of Virginia?
Several of Travis' high school teachers were Cedarville graduates and thus encouraged students to check out the campus as an option for higher education. Also, former Lady Jacket assistant coach Joy Fagan and current assistant coach Lori Huckaby had previously coached at Greenbrier. During her junior year, Stacie decided to make a visit and see for herself if the Christian liberal arts university in southwest Ohio could be a possibility.
"I wanted to attend a Christian college and also desired to play basketball. My visit to Cedarville was wonderful, I enjoyed being with the team, caught a glimpse of the ministry-focus that was such a priority and, I was impressed with Coach Martin."
During the summer of 2002 - before her senior year of high school - Stacie Travis attended basketball camp at Cedarville University. That was when she really caught the eye of head coach Kirk Martin - then getting ready for his second year at the helm of the Lady Jacket program.
Martin was not 100% sure what he was getting in the small-framed guard from Virginia Beach. "Stacie became a part of our program because her personality fit in so well with our team chemistry. We never really were sure that she would ever be able to make a playing contribution. We however never understood the drive and determination that she has. It was that drive that allowed her to step up and grab a playing role when the opportunity presented itself," noted Martin.
Travis, a multi-age physical education major at Cedarville, was not sure herself of the contribution she might make to the fast-improving NAIA Division II program. "I just wanted a spot on the roster," said Stacie. "I knew the talent level on the team and all I really hoped for was an opportunity. Plus I was confident that God had directed me to Cedarville and I was at peace to fill the role He had for me on the team."
The 2003-04 campaign saw Travis appear in 24 of the 38 games and take just 23 shots from the field including 10 from three-point range. Stacie averaged about five minutes of action per game as a backup to stellar classmates Karah Walton and Brittany Smart as well as upperclassmen Julie Stauffer and Kari Flunker. The Lady Jackets posted an incredible 35-3 record and advanced to the championship game of the NAIA Division II National Tournament.
Travis' sophomore season followed similarly close to her first year with the Lady Jackets although the playing time doubled to over 10 minutes per contest. She averaged 2.8 points per game while shooting .289 from three-point land. Stacie continued to fine-tune her game, work hard and also look for ways to support her teammates. The squad completed another perfect 18-0 run through the AMC South, made a second consecutive appearance in the NAIA championship game while completing a 35-2 overall record.
In her third season with the Lady Jackets, Travis moved into one of the starting guard positions - a role she filled in all 33 games during the 2005-06 schedule. Her playing time made a significant jump in minutes and she came through in game after game - seemingly hitting the clutch three-point shot that would provide momentum for the Lady Jackets to keep opponents at bay. Travis ended the season with a 10.3 points per game scoring average including 62 long-range bombs. She tallied double figures in 17 games. A third straight 18-0 AMC South title was garnered, an AMC championship was claimed and Cedarville University finished a run in the NAIA national tournament with an Elite Eight finish.
Stacie's parents have been huge supporters throughout her high school and college athletics career. They have made numerous excursions to Ohio over the four-year career of their oldest daughter. Michael, a financial planner, and his wife, Sherry, a homemaker, both encouraged daughter Stacie to seek God's will and consider Cedarville as a college choice, in spite of the distance that would force them to miss most of their daughter's basketball games.
"My entire family back in Virginia Beach - including grandparents, aunts and uncles - have always been involved in my life, and especially in my sports career. They rarely missed one of my games during high school days. I have appreciated their love and support," added Travis. "Now, after every game, I know there will be a message on my cell phone from my mom and dad with some encouraging words about the game."
Travis' younger brother, Chris, is a sophomore student at Cedarville University majoring in business finance. He is able to watch and enjoy Stacie's home games first-hand. Younger sister, Nicole, is a freshman in high school back in Virginia Beach and is enjoying the beginning stages of her own basketball career.
Now Stacie Travis finds herself less than five weeks away from the end of her college basketball career. Travis has started every game this season and has found her niche as a three-point shooting guard and a solid, steady contributor to the Lady Jackets. She is averaging 9.3 points per game while leading the team in free-throw shooting percentage. On November 14, 2006, Stacie poured in a career-high 24 points in a win over Taylor University and she has hit in double figures 11 times so far this season. The hard work, perseverance and determination have paid off in so many ways - the Lady Jackets are closing in on another American Mideast Conference South Division title which carries with it an automatic bid to the NAIA Division II National Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa - and Stacie is thoroughly enjoying her final season.
As a testament to her success, Travis currently ranks sixth all-time in three-point field goal percentage with a .366 mark on 121-of-331 shooting. The 121 three-point field goals made rates eighth all-time at Cedarville. Martin sees Stacie as an important part of the success over the last four years - not only as a player, but as a person who has humbly served in her role with excellence.
"Stacie has had a huge impact upon our program as she has been able to mentor so many of our players. She has sat and not played and she has worked hard to over come a non-playing role. That history has allowed her to help incoming freshmen to be patient and understand the responsibility of working hard. She also has set a very steady and consistent walk with our Lord that all of her teammates have great respect for," added a very proud head coach.
So now, looking back on four years at Cedarville, how does Stacie Travis view her basketball career? "I definitely had some lessons to learn early on - I had never sat the bench before - so God used my first two years with the team to teach me humility but also contentment. God also has taught me to use basketball as a form of worship and as a tool of ministry - a way to share Christ's love - and for that I am so thankful!"
"I have loved my teammates and will miss them tremendously. It has been an awesome four years with my fellow seniors - Kristi Beougher, Brittany Smart and Karah Walton. But I also see my role as an encourager to the younger players who may not be playing much right now. I was right where they are and hopefully, I can help them keep everything in perspective - to do their best at all times, and have trust that God is in control and His plan is perfect."
Stacie is definitely not looking forward to the basketball season coming to a close but also knows there will be life after basketball.
So what lies ahead for the Lady Jacket affectionately nicknamed "Squirt"?
"I am not exactly sure yet - I may still be around Cedarville for at least another year but could end up back home in Virginia Beach teaching and coaching at Greenbrier. So I am waiting and praying to see what God has for me," noted Travis with confidence.
Another valuable lesson learned.
