Central Michigan University Athletics
Breen Answers Professional Call
8/29/2018 7:43:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CMU sharpshooter far from finished
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
Graduate school, a potential coaching career and, perhaps, a future in administration.
It can all wait. Cassie Breen isn't done playing basketball.
Breen, a key cog during the most successful three-year run in Central Michigan women's basketball history, has signed to play professionally in the Spanish Canary Islands, just off the coast of Morocco. She departs next week, seizing on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She follows former CMU teammate Tinara Moore, who will play this season in Spain.
"My mom (Zann) said 'Grad school's always going to be there, but this opportunity's never going to come again,'" said Breen, a Woodhaven native who graduated in May with a 3.6 grade point average and a double major in sport management and psychology.
"It's not about the money for me, it's more about the experience and that I have this opportunity," Breen said. "I'm not necessarily trying to make this my career. I want to travel and see the world while playing the sport that I love. I'm grateful to get this opportunity. I want to enjoy the time and really take it all in because not a lot of people have this opportunity. I feel like it'll be a good segue into what I want to do."
Breen, a three-year starter who was a key contributor from the minute she arrived at CMU, averaged 11.0 points per game in her career. She helped the Chippewas win three consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division titles, back-to-back MAC regular-season championships and the MAC Tournament title in 2017-18. She capped her career with that storybook season as the Chippewas won a program-record 30 wins, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament and finished 20th in the final USA Today Coaches Poll.
Breen established a reputation as a deadly 3-point shooter – she drained a program-record 303 career triples – and her repertoire included gutsy, all-out defense. Though no official statistics are kept, she was far and away the Chippewas' leader in drawing charges.
"If you look at Cass -- her work ethic and her commitment -- she has the desire to do whatever it takes to help the team on both ends of the floor," CMU coach Sue Guevara said. "We should have a charge award named 'Cassie Breen' because of her toughness. I think everything you saw on the court is what she gave in the classroom. She's a very intelligent young women, and a good person.
"Behind every success is effort, behind every effort is passion, behind every passion is the courage of someone to try. When I read that, I think of Cassie Breen."
That physical play over four years took a toll on Breen, as it does on any player. She took time to recuperate and recharge after her senior season.
"Knock on wood, I've never had a really major injury or anything like," she said. "If I keep taking care of my body I should be able to play at least a couple of more years."
Breen said that her future, like her past and present, will be in athletics. At what level remains to be seen.
"I really kind of want to give back the way the coaches have given to me," Breen said. "I love being around athletics and I love the atmosphere, the spirit, of the collegiate athletic world. I loved my years at CMU and I want to give back to the student-athletes in the future."
Graduate school, a potential coaching career and, perhaps, a future in administration.
It can all wait. Cassie Breen isn't done playing basketball.
Breen, a key cog during the most successful three-year run in Central Michigan women's basketball history, has signed to play professionally in the Spanish Canary Islands, just off the coast of Morocco. She departs next week, seizing on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She follows former CMU teammate Tinara Moore, who will play this season in Spain.
"My mom (Zann) said 'Grad school's always going to be there, but this opportunity's never going to come again,'" said Breen, a Woodhaven native who graduated in May with a 3.6 grade point average and a double major in sport management and psychology.
"It's not about the money for me, it's more about the experience and that I have this opportunity," Breen said. "I'm not necessarily trying to make this my career. I want to travel and see the world while playing the sport that I love. I'm grateful to get this opportunity. I want to enjoy the time and really take it all in because not a lot of people have this opportunity. I feel like it'll be a good segue into what I want to do."
Breen, a three-year starter who was a key contributor from the minute she arrived at CMU, averaged 11.0 points per game in her career. She helped the Chippewas win three consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division titles, back-to-back MAC regular-season championships and the MAC Tournament title in 2017-18. She capped her career with that storybook season as the Chippewas won a program-record 30 wins, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament and finished 20th in the final USA Today Coaches Poll.
Breen established a reputation as a deadly 3-point shooter – she drained a program-record 303 career triples – and her repertoire included gutsy, all-out defense. Though no official statistics are kept, she was far and away the Chippewas' leader in drawing charges.
"If you look at Cass -- her work ethic and her commitment -- she has the desire to do whatever it takes to help the team on both ends of the floor," CMU coach Sue Guevara said. "We should have a charge award named 'Cassie Breen' because of her toughness. I think everything you saw on the court is what she gave in the classroom. She's a very intelligent young women, and a good person.
"Behind every success is effort, behind every effort is passion, behind every passion is the courage of someone to try. When I read that, I think of Cassie Breen."
That physical play over four years took a toll on Breen, as it does on any player. She took time to recuperate and recharge after her senior season.
"Knock on wood, I've never had a really major injury or anything like," she said. "If I keep taking care of my body I should be able to play at least a couple of more years."
Breen said that her future, like her past and present, will be in athletics. At what level remains to be seen.
"I really kind of want to give back the way the coaches have given to me," Breen said. "I love being around athletics and I love the atmosphere, the spirit, of the collegiate athletic world. I loved my years at CMU and I want to give back to the student-athletes in the future."
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