Josh Yeager
January 10, 2003 12:28 PM | General
By Megan Wilson
Mountaineer
Illustrated
Every athlete dreams of the culmination of a successful senior season. The personal records have been set, odds overcome and accolades earned and the individual becomes a seasoned sports hero who every young child involved in athletics dreams of to be. The bar has been set, higher than before, and success is expected.
It is the classic last-chance scenario - Do-or-die, now-or-never, whichever phrase you like. A senior season is the last chance to perform at the level at which he is capable.
Mountaineer senior forward Josh Yeager is the living template of this last chance. After completing three successful seasons, his personal expectations are higher than ever for his final year at WVU.
"I would like to have the best year that I have had since I’ve been here," says Yeager. "I want to put up bigger numbers than I have before."
Being a senior includes a responsibility to the team and the program. When a freshman thinks about how his senior year will be, it often resembles an ESPN highlight clip. They’re picturesque, slow-motion shots of miraculous life on the court.
Like most things, what was anticipated is the farthest thing from what actually occurs.
"Being a senior is a lot more frustrating then I had expected it to be because of the responsibility level of being a leader every day," says Yeager.
As an underclassman, Yeager looked up to the seniors on the squad that led my example. These athletes did not have to say much because their expression was seen on the court.
"Guys like Marcus Goree, who was an all-BIG EAST player, I looked up to," says Yeager. "He didn’t have to say much to lead; he just went out there and played tough."
Like those before him, Yeager’s senior season has not come without some bumps in the road. Throughout his junior year, the team internally struggled, while finding themselves without a coach at season’s end. Still, Yeager was able to post a career-high in field goal percentage (.412), blocks (17) and steals (16).
A new regime began with the 2002 season with new head coach John Beilein the helm. After 24 seasons under Gale Catlett, there were some changes that proved to be tough.
"I think the coaching change is an example of how life is," says Yeager. "It’s difficult to change but overall, both coaches are very successful guys."
There are hopes that the program will continue its winning ways from early on in the season. Yeager is a testament to the program and his teammates as he has remained dedicated and focused on helping the Mountaineers win.
"My goal for this season is to have a turnaround year from last season, and just be as successful as possible," says Yeager.
He owes his strong dedication to the program to his roots in Belington, W.Va. Being a native of West Virginia creates a quality in Mountaineer athletes that is unparalleled in college sports. West Virginia’s athletes have grown up watching WVU compete in various arenas all over the country, achieving success in different sports.
"I grew up watching these games with my family so it was a natural step for me to come here," says Yeager.
He attributes his love for Mountaineer athletics and WVU to his family.
"My family was and still is a big influence in my life and had a lot to do with me attending the University," he says.
Also, being a Mountain State native who competes for WVU creates an immediate following of fans, sports journalists and residents of West Virginia.
"The support varies; people kind of have a love-hate thing for you because if you play well they love you, and if you don’t they hate you," he laughs.
What has remained constant in his years at WVU is the fact that Yeager has been more than pleased with his choice of schools and basketball career.
"Being an athlete here at WVU is so special because you get an opportunity to compete in the BIG EAST and the fan support throughout the state is just great," he says.
While he has enjoyed success on the court, he has also met with success in the academic arena. The business and economics major has earned a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for his academic accomplishments.
"The faculty and staff here are great," says Yeager. "The people are what make WVU such a great place."
With his talent, quiet demeanor and focused attitude, Yeager emanates what every Mountaineer basketball player should - a commitment to excellence that stretches to his teammates, to the state and to himself.
To sum up his experience, you’ll have to stay tuned for the rest of No. 22’s senior season. Hopefully, he will have enough SportsCenter-type memories to look back on for a lifetime.
