Spring Break
Hello countryside, goodbye skyline
Bronx-born Walker making transition to college life
Marc Gauthier
Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Husky Hoopla
It's midway in November and the cold, crisp air is starting to settle in over Storrs. The trees have lost most of their leaves and the cows have been herded inside Horsebarn Hill, in preparation for winter.
For most students, this routine isn't anything unusual. In fact, it's quite common.
But for freshman point guard Kemba Walker, winter life in the countryside is something completely new.
"UConn is definitely colder; way colder than out there," Walker said. "And it's early too."
Walker is a city boy. But he's not just any city boy; he's a New York City kind of city boy. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Walker doesn't know what a New England winter is all about.
"It's cold up here," Walker said. "I came from the city and [Storrs] is basically the woods; cows and all that crazy stuff up here."
The adjustment from the city to the country isn't the only change Walker has been dealing with. The transition from high school to college has also kept him quite busy.
"It's been a big jump," he said. "School work, the times, everything."
But dealing with the pressures that most freshmen deal with has also been rewarding for Walker. And so far, he's been enjoying the whole process.
"I like being with the new guys," Walker said. "You know, meeting new people both on and off the court, meeting my professors and things like that."
Off the court, Walker said he's been enjoying classes in his first semester, more specifically, a drama class that he's enrolled in.
Walker's only problem with the classes at UConn is that there are too many to choose from. So many, in fact, that he's been having a difficult time focusing on one field for his major.
"Classes are cool," Walker said. "I'm undecided right now. I'm trying to get to know [the system]. I've been looking through the books. There are so many classes to pick from."
But by the time he finishes his UConn career, Walker most likely won't be remembered for his attendance in drama class. No, Walker will be remembered for what he does on the basketball court.
For most students, this routine isn't anything unusual. In fact, it's quite common.
But for freshman point guard Kemba Walker, winter life in the countryside is something completely new.
"UConn is definitely colder; way colder than out there," Walker said. "And it's early too."
Walker is a city boy. But he's not just any city boy; he's a New York City kind of city boy. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Walker doesn't know what a New England winter is all about.
"It's cold up here," Walker said. "I came from the city and [Storrs] is basically the woods; cows and all that crazy stuff up here."
The adjustment from the city to the country isn't the only change Walker has been dealing with. The transition from high school to college has also kept him quite busy.
"It's been a big jump," he said. "School work, the times, everything."
But dealing with the pressures that most freshmen deal with has also been rewarding for Walker. And so far, he's been enjoying the whole process.
"I like being with the new guys," Walker said. "You know, meeting new people both on and off the court, meeting my professors and things like that."
Off the court, Walker said he's been enjoying classes in his first semester, more specifically, a drama class that he's enrolled in.
Walker's only problem with the classes at UConn is that there are too many to choose from. So many, in fact, that he's been having a difficult time focusing on one field for his major.
"Classes are cool," Walker said. "I'm undecided right now. I'm trying to get to know [the system]. I've been looking through the books. There are so many classes to pick from."
But by the time he finishes his UConn career, Walker most likely won't be remembered for his attendance in drama class. No, Walker will be remembered for what he does on the basketball court.
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