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Schmidt Relishes Opportunity at WVU
October 28, 2015 03:36 PM | Women's Basketball
Over the next few weeks, WVUsports.com will highlight members of the 2015-16 West Virginia University women’s basketball team. The 10th installment of this feature includes freshman forward Marlena Schmidt.
West Virginia University freshman Marlena Schmidt is certainly noticeable among the incoming Mountaineer freshman this season.
“Height is something you can’t coach,” said the 6-foot-6 tall Schmidt. “You can develop skill, you can train being athletic and you can coach your IQ and everything, but you can’t coach height. It is what it is. If you use that to the best of your ability it can give you an advantage that’s really helpful in basketball.”
Schmidt started playing basketball when she was in third grade. She was influenced by her two older sisters Emily and Josie, as she grew up watching them play.
“My sisters influenced me because they got into it early as well. When they started they were probably in third and fourth grade,” said Schmidt. “My sisters started playing before me, and I would go sit at their practices. After watching them practice, then I started playing too.”
Basketball has been a big part of her life and a big part of who she, starting at a young age. The Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, native viewed her grandfather as a role model and someone she really looked up to. He was there for her when it came to athletics. Her father, Carl is there for her for just about anything, and he too serves as a role model to her.
“Our grandfather was a big athlete” said the Schmidt. “He played football, baseball, track and basketball in high school. He really liked basketball. He was like, they’re going to be tall, and so they should play basketball.”
No doubt is the Schmidt family full of athleticism. The Schmidt family’s height was certainly a dominant trait as it ran family with everyone being over six-feet tall, besides her mother Tara, who is 5-foot-11. Her oldest sister Emily, is 6-foot-4, and is entering into her final year of playing women’s basketball at Chatham University. Schmidt’s other sister that’s two years older than her, Josie uses her 6-foot-3 stature to play on the women’s basketball squad at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
After Schmidt played basketball throughout her four years of high school, she knew she wanted to continue playing the sport that she loves at a collegiate level, and WVU had an offer for her.
“It was really just a home like mentality,” stated Schmidt. “Everyone is just so nice to each other here. The campus really speaks for itself. Everyone puts all of their efforts into you, and you can tell that it’s not just fake. They’re really genuinely interested in your education and your athletic development. It’s really nice to be here.”
Schmidt’s 6-foot-6 physique makes her the tallest player on the WVU women’s basketball squad. Coming in as a freshman on a team that’s been playing with each other for a few years can be tough, but she has felt comfortable and really notices the close knit bond that the team portrays.
“It’s a very young team. I guess everyone expects it to be real scattered, but it doesn’t seem like there’s only just three or four returners,” said Schmidt. “It seems like the team has been together for a while. Everyone’s all good friends.”
Aside from her passion for basketball, Schmidt also has other hobbies that she took on during high school.
“I was an art student in high school, and I was also in the drum line,” noted Schmidt. “I was in drumline for four years during high school. I also played the clarinet, starting in elementary school.”
As an art student in high school, she painted various pieces of art work and drew incredible pieces that were later recognized in the schools art show.
“We had an art show where got to sell our pieces, and I made about $200 with my drawings and paintings,” expressed Schmidt.
Her unique set of skills sets her apart from others. Although she isn't sure of what she wants to major in at WVU, she is bright when it comes to mathematics.
“I want to do something math related, but nothing specific yet,” said Schmidt. “I’m not sure, but I love math."
Overall, basketball is Schmidt’s number one passion. When ask about her dream job she didn’t hesitate to respond.
“Well, I’d love to play basketball,” said Schmidt.
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