Jostens Trophy winner heads home --- from Hamilton to Holy Land
BEHIND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS of the BIG EAST and ACC perhaps the best Jewish
college basketball player this season was found patrolling the hardwood for
tiny Hamilton College in upstate New York. Michael Schantz is his name, and
the 6-5 forward out of Sharon, Massachusetts capped a brilliant collegiate
career as he received the Jostens Trophy, given out annually to the nation's
top Division III performer who displays "excellence in the classroom, on the
playing court and in the community."
As a star basketball player at Sharon High School, Schantz forecasted that
the best college fit for him would be one that would prepare him for the
real world at both an academic and social level.
"I guess I was being selfish," said Schantz on why he chose the nationally
acclaimed liberal arts institution. "I wanted the best of both worlds,
education and athletics. Lucky for me, Hamilton and I found each other."
Although the multi-cultural Hamilton student body is quite different from
the heavily Jewish Boston suburb that Schantz grew up in, he saw his new
environment as a place to grow and learn about other ethnic groups.
"While Sharon is a Jewish oriented town with a lot of Jewish people, I've
spent a lot of time with all different kinds of people," said Schantz.
"Coming here people are accepting of all types of people and that's why it's
a really good place."
On the court, Schantz credits his father for teaching him how to play the
game and be the best he can be. Hamilton head coach Tom Murphy, who has
been at the helm for the past 29 years, also played a major role in his
development. Murphy taught Schantz and his teammates the importance of a
hard work ethic, the complete team concept, and to treat everyone with the
same respect no matter their interest and backgrounds, as the reality is
that athletes are no more important than non-athletes.
A great athlete with terrific leaping ability and a nice touch, Schantz
averaged 25.9 points (8th best in the nation) and 12.4 rebounds (2nd best)
this season for the Continentals, who reached the "Sweet 16" for the second
consecutive year. Hamilton (16-11), a representative of the tough New
England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), qualified for the NCAA
Tournament in each of Schantz's four seasons.
One of Schantz's most memorable experiences was participating in the 1997
Maccabiah Games in Israel. These games made Schantz feel in a way that he
was representing the Jewish people, something that he did not feel at the
college level.
"It was an opportunity for us [Jewish players] to show collectively as a
group that we were good basketball players, period," stated Schantz. "There
is no color in basketball. There is no religion in basketball."
The friendships, culture, and the opportunity to play the sport he loves so
much made the experience so lasting.
"I was able to make some great friends," said Schantz. "I felt it really
helped my basketball a lot. I got to play for a great coach [Herb Brown,
the ex-NBA coach and noted author on basketball plays]. I got to expand my
heritage and understand more about my heritage."
The American contingent took the bronze medal, the first time in the history
of the games that they had not won either the gold or the silver. They were
upset in the semifinals by a veteran group from England, that included
international pros from the British and Israeli leagues, while the American
team was comprised of college players.
"It was tough to swallow," said a disappointed, but proud Schantz. "I've
never been with a group of guys that competitive. On any given night, any
team can be anyone. We saw that this season with Duke and UConn."
Schantz and his Jewish-American patriots put out an impressive performance
in the bronze medal game, pressing Israel to an 80-62 victory, the biggest
Maccabiah victory over Israel by the USA in years. Schantz played a big
role in the game, frustrating the Israeli star, Tal Bornstein, with a tough
pressing defense that created many steals. Bornstein, a 6-6 point-guard, is
widely considered to be one of Israel's next great players. Schantz proved
at the Maccabiah that he was able to use his athleticism in playing the
backcourt, in addition to the frontcourt in which he played regularly at
Hamilton.
One of the friendships that Schantz made at the Games was with Ryan Lexer, a
6-9 graduate ('98) of Towson University. Lexer played this past season for
Israeli first division club Hapoel Holon and had such a positive experience
that he plans on playing in Israel for many years. Although Schantz is
unsure of long-term plans, the economics graduate plans to play pro for a
year in the homeland of his ancestors.
Schantz leaves Hamilton as the second player in school history to amass over
2000 points and 1000 rebounds during his college career. In addition, he
was named an NABC Division III All-American his junior and senior years.
One of the best players to ever come out of the NESCAC (arguably the best
conference in Division III), Schantz was Rookie of the Year (1995-96) and
made All-NESCAC his sophomore, junior, and senior years.
One of the key elements that propelled Schantz to winning the Jostens Trophy
was his volunteering in the NABC "Dream to Read" program. It is this kind
of love for life that makes Schantz the complete student-athlete, something
that should go far next season when he competes in Israel. Perhaps his
college coach summed it up best.
"He's the first one on the court and the last one to leave," said Tom
Murphy. "When you have someone with that kind of work ethic, it's bound to
spread throughout the
Jewish World Review June 16, 1999 / 2 Tamuz, 5759
By Scott Granowitz
JWR contributor writes for Scott Granowitz writes for the Jewish sports newsletter "The Prevailing View". He can be reached by clicking here.