Meerman Turns Focus To Basketball

Dec. 13, 2000

As a CMU student-athlete, T.J. Meerman's college life is closely tied to basketball. Ask the 6-2, 180-pound guard about football, and you tap into an intense love for another game.

Meerman spent three years as varsity quarterback for Coopersville High, a position that earned him honorable mention all-state honors. When it came time to attend college, the decision wasn't just about picking a school, but choosing a sport as well.

"I had some smaller colleges interested in me for football. I love the excitement of football games, even more than basketball, because it's an adrenaline rush," Meerman explained. "In the end though, I decided I was a little better at basketball."

Still a huge fan of football, Meerman has now changed his focus to his college basketball career. For T.J., the sport brings it's own set of characteristics which keep him interested.

"I like the pace and the excitement," he said. "It's an up and down sport. It doesn't stop. I like making plays and basketball has lots of opportunity for that."

Last season brought a back injury that kept Meerman from his play-making role. As the injury healed, Meerman took time to study the game through his teammates.

"Watching the guys, that helps a lot," Meerman said. "You can learn a lot. You don't know how much you can learn by just watching."

With his injury healed, Meerman went to the weight room and made a gain of 20 pounds, a factor he feels will help his game immensely. In addition to his gain, he is learning from veteran guard Tim Kisner.

T.J. feels that his role is not just about being a student of the game, but providing pressure to make the team that much better.

"I'm just looking to help out anyway I can," Meerman said. "Right now, I'm backing up Tim Kisner at guard. I'm just playing the back up spot and, hopefully, I can give them a push to make them better and make me better."

As the season gets into full swing, Meerman sees a bright future for this Chippewa squad.

"I think we're going to have a good year. We're going to surprise some people," he explained. "I think it's going to be a pretty productive year."

by: Christine Ayar, Sports Information Assistant