Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Basketball Gets History Lesson
12/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Don Helinski
This story originally was released November 15, 2010 and is being re-released in recognition of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
HONOLULU, Hawaii - There were no textbooks involved, but Central Michigan University's men's basketball team had a history lesson on Sunday afternoon.
During an off day from competition at the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Chippewas toured Hickam Air Force Base, one of the primary targets of the Japanese attacks on Dec. 7, 1941 that pushed the United States into World War II.
Hickam AFB is also home to one of CMU's Off Campus Centers where military members currently take classes and earn degrees in an old renovated airplane hangar.
Dave Nicholson and Mike Nunnally from CMU's Off Campus office guided the travel party around the base, telling the story of the attack on Pearl Harbor while visiting landmarks. The players were able to see aircraft used at the time, memorials and even buildings that were still scarred with holes from bullets.
"It was a great experience for our guys to be able to see a part of history," head coach Ernie Zeigler said. "Some of the things in history we look back on and wonder 'why.' Well, we were able to see some of the buildings and understand what happened to our country in 1941.
"It was a day of change and the start of Hawaii being becoming part of the United States. Hopefully it is something our guys can look back on and cherish from an educational standpoint. It lets you know that everything in life isn't about athletics or basketball."
The Japanese attack was meant to neutralize the U.S. Pacific Fleet and protect Japan's advance to take over additional territory. Nunnally, who is the manager of U.S. Military Programs for CMU's Off Campus operations, explained to the group that the base was one of the primary targets of the surprise attack in order to prevent any American air opposition. He pointed out that 90 percent of the Japanese bombs hit 100 percent of their intended targets and on the base alone there were 189 killed and another 303 wounded. Other phases of the attack targeted the U.S. Navy and its aircraft carriers in Pearl Harbor.
Most of the fatalities were 18 to 22-year-old men, a point that hit home with the players.
"Being at ground zero of those attacks was a real eye-opener," senior Jalin Thomas said. "My parents have always told me that some people aren't as privileged as I am and that's something I take to heart. Hearing that it was mainly guys 18 to 22 years old that lost their lives in the attack is sad. At the same time, it makes me realize I need to live life to the fullest and try and do as best as possible."
One of the more moving moments of the tour was when the group walked the perimeter of the PACAF Building, which served as one of the largest barracks complexes ever built at the time. The bullet holes and damage to the exterior of the building have been preserved to serve as a reminder of the extent of the damage inflicted at the base.
"It was a unique experience. We learned about it in school and saw the movie, but to actually be there was pretty special," freshman Nate VanArendonk said. "Knowing that we are the same age as those servicemen and that they lost their lives in the same exact spot touched us at a different level."
Several memorials recognizing those who paid the ultimate price for their country are displayed in a circle drive in the middle of the base. The players took time to read through the names of the brave men and women being honored.
"It makes me feel like I'm in debt to them," senior William McClure said. "They gave their lives and I might not be here right now if it wasn't for them. We received a history lesson from a first-hand perspective and got to see what our country has been through."
CMU's Off Campus Centers have satellite campuses on 23 U.S. Military bases. Nicholson said the Hickam AFB center has around 175 current students and that there are around 900 alumni living on the Hawaiian Islands. Nunnally and Nicholson hosted an Alumni Association gathering later that afternoon and gave away tickets to CMU's game versus Hawaii on Monday night.
"With Veterans Day last week the timing was very appropriate," Nunnally said. "The players were able to see not only what CMU does in Hawaii, but what the military does as well."
Educational experiences such as this are part of the overall collegiate athletic experience, something Zeigler stresses to his team on a constant basis.
"I talk to our team all the time about 'using basketball' and 'not allowing basketball to use us,'" he explained. "For a lot of us, including me as a former player, basketball has opened a lot of doors to allow us to have access to things because of our participation. We need to have the understanding that we have to utilize every opportunity that comes our way to continue to educate ourselves and broaden our horizons."
