The Catamount Tribune presented by Redstone Apartments and Lofts is an avenue for UVM student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and fans to tell unique stories n their own words. This edition of the Catamount Tribune is written by Everett Duncan, a senior on the men's basketball team. Interested in sharing your story for the Catamount Tribune? Please click here.

I came to the University of Vermont in the summer of 2015 to start summer school and my career with the UVM men's basketball team. I hailed from the great Hoosier State of Indiana and if you know anything about Indiana basketball, there is a ton of individual pride. I was my high school's all-time leading scorer, where I achieved many individual accolades that made me proud. What I didn't realize is that those things really don't matter at the collegiate level. The first summer on campus showed me a lot about myself. I was struggling so bad at one point that I asked Ethan O'Day (our senior captain that year) for advice. He knew I was struggling, so he tried to help me out. "If you don't get knocked down once this week in practice at all, I will go buy you a milkshake on campus," Ethan would tell me. It took me longer than that summer to get that milkshake, but oh I got it, and it was so good. A couple of months into my freshman year, I realized that if I was going to make it through my college days at UVM, I was going to have to change a bit about myself. I realized that I needed to work harder in every aspect of my life.
 
Four years have passed and I have had the best four years I could have ever asked for. A lot of great things were achieved. I ended up redshirting a year, which allowed me an extra year in both sports and my academics. I finished my bachelor's degree in community entrepreneurship with a minor in sports management. I am now in graduate school and working towards my master's degree in interdisciplinary studies through the College of Education. As for basketball, I have also been fortunate to be a part of some historic things in Catamount Country at Patrick Gym. I had the chance to play with some pretty awesome teammates over the years that made life so much easier. We were even able to play in the NCAA Tournament. One of the highlights of my college basketball career was having the opportunity to share the court with my two brothers, Ernie and Robin. We were the first trio of brothers to play in the NCAA Tournament together, just in case you didn't know. I will never forget these memories as it was all possible because of hard work, determination, and support from my teammates, coaches, and family. To all of the times that I did not appreciate it, I apologize. It is a blessing to be healthy, to be able to practice, to lift, to go to class, and to be part of something special at this university. I am so fortunate to be able to have an impact at a school and a team like the one at the University of Vermont.
 
Senior Night is something that seniors are never supposed to forget. Over five years, I felt like my time at UVM was endless as I felt like my career here at UVM would just go on and on. I always heard how fast it would go by, but you never really grasp and understand it until it is your turn. March 3rd is going to be a pretty unforgettable night. It will be filled with laughs, tears, and hopefully a win. March 3rd is the Senior Night for seven of the team's seniors - Anthony Lamb, Josh Speidel, Daniel Giddens, Earle Brown, Ryan Morse, Hank Henkel, and myself. It is the last regular-season game ever for our seven seniors. Each person has played a special role in my life. All seven of these seniors are a huge part of the basketball program and the University. The one thing that will make senior night special is my friend Josh Speidel. I have known Josh since we were in high school playing AAU travel basketball together. Josh and I were part of the same freshman class and we both had dreams of playing college basketball together. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to do that yet. March 3rd will be more than just Senior Night. It is the first time Josh will get to step on the basketball court and play. Josh has been a huge part of the success of the men's basketball team here at UVM. He has been an inspiration to us all. I am so proud of my friend because his impact is bigger than basketball now. It is a bit hard to write about this moment because it has been on the back of my mind for so long. Once March 3rd happens, there will be more words, but that is for another time.
 
What's next? I am not entirely sure what is next for me after UVM. I will finish graduate school and be the first in my family to get their master's degree. I think that would be a cool accomplishment. But obviously whatever is next will be an entirely new experience for me. Basketball has been my rock for so long. The sport has been a true blessing. It has taken me around the world and been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Whether or not next year I am involved in the game in the near future, I know that at some point it will find me again or vice versa. Thank you to the sport that made me who I am today but to end this short story, it is still important to realize that my time at UVM isn't over. My senior year continues as it does for the six other seniors as well. We humbly and respectively are not done yet.  
  
Go Cats!
Everett Duncan '20