November 30, 1998
By Heidi Johnson
MU Sports Information
"Your companions are like the buttons on an elevator. They will either take you up or take you down." It is very obvious freshman center Pat Schumacher has had some wonderful people in his life, "buttons" that can only take him up. He would probably be the first to tell you that.
Pat is the only son of Robert and Sybil Schumacher. He seems to live just to make them proud. The Schumachers have been at every one of Pats games since he began traveling with AAU teams in third grade. They even attended Missouris first exhibition game when Pat was out with a concussion.
"Its very important to me (to have my family here). They are always backing me. Theyll be here whether Im going to play or not. They just love to see me play. Its real important that my family knows Im doing good. I just want to make them proud," Pat said.
Pats family has stood behind him no matter what. He says there were times in high school when he got worn out from the vigorous schedule of playing both high school and AAU basketball. The rest of the Schumachers wouldnt let him quit. They just supported him, without pushing, and let him know he would benefit from all the hassles in the end.
"My mom is always in my corner. She always tells me to do things for myself, not what other people want me to do. She told me just to do what makes me happy. Basketball makes me happy."
Schumacher claims his father has had the most influence over the kind of person he is. Although there have been good and bad times between father and son, Pat says his dad is always good to talk to.
"I know everyone always says their dad is the greatest, but my dad is just unbelievable. He does so much for the kids at my old grade school. He taught me how to be a good person. That means a lot."
Pat doesnt only credit his parents for making him the person he is today. He says his sister Shannon, is also one of the most important people in his life.
"I love my sister. She doesnt care what I do; shell love me no matter what. If I do something wrong shell let me know. If I do something right she tells me about it, and tells me how I can do it better. Shes awesome. Shannon is a beautiful girl. She can do whatever she wants in life."
Pats family will continue to influence him well into the future as well. Right now he is just taking things one day at a time, but he can stop for just a minute to give a little bit of thought to the future.
"Ill see how far basketball takes me. After that I plan on teaching and having a family. Ten years from now I will probably be doing what my dad does, helping kids. Youve got to do what youve got to do to make yourself happy. That makes him happy and I know it will make me happy."
Although the Schumacher family probably did the most to make Patrick the man he is today, there were several other people who made him the kind of basketball player Missouri fans will love to watch for the next four years. Pat has had an abundance of good coaches that have helped shape him. He especially credits Haywood Hunt, who helps kids all over the St. Louis area, and helped Pat a lot when he was just beginning to play basketball. He also gives a lot of credit to Rich Gray, the head coach of the St. Louis Eagles, his former AAU team, who kept pushing him to get better.
Luckily for Missouri Head Coach Norm Stewart and the Tiger fans, Pat has always wanted to go to MU. He claims he practically grew up here. Two former Tiger players, who played for the Eagles when Pat was just a ball boy, may have unknowingly influenced his decision to come to Mizzou. Julian Winfield and Kelly Thames were people Schumacher looked up to as a kid. In fact, it was these two players who gave Pat the nickname "Doogie" after TVs Doogie Howser.
"When I was a little kid, I used to travel around with the Eagles. We were traveling in Florida and I was with the guys. I just wanted to be around them because I loved basketball so much. I was sitting next to the TV one day, eating my food, and Doogie Howser came on. I had curly hair and my ears stuck out and Kelly and Julian go, Man you look like Doogie. I told them to shut up, but it just stuck."
Even the players and coaches today continue to influence Schumacher. He says this years team has bonded very well. They spend a lot of time together off the court. They know to pick each other up when someone is down and let each other know when they are doing well. Pat claims it is like they all have know each other their whole lives. Their relationship with the coaches is very good as well.
"Weve got some great player coaches. Coach A (Kim Anderson) is real cool. Coach Stewart lets you know what you are doing wrong and right. His little one liners can make everyone laugh. They are hilarious and get everyone rolling; even when practice is really intense. I like Coach Stewart a lot."
Pat just has one simple wish for the team this year. "I hope we dont lose. I hope we just keep on winning and keep our spirits up. Were pretty much a unit right now. As long as we stay close and tight like we are, I dont think anything can stop us," Pat said.
That may seem like a lofty goal, especially coming from a freshman, but knowing of the positive influences backing Pat Schumacher, it is easy to see why he truly believes anything is possible. With the "elevator buttons" in his life, the only way Pat has to go is up.