Jan. 22, 2001

By Eddie Burns
Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant

From the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, across the Great Plains, to the University of Missouri is the route that freshman Evan Unrau has taken to college.

After being on a state champion volleyball team and on a basketball team that placed fourth in Colorado, Unrau has come down from her high and has landed on the Mizzou Tiger women's basketball team.

"I am looking forward to playing my collegiate career here at Missouri," said Unrau. "I want to help bring this program more success and while doing, so I want to make life long friends. With those friends I want to create experiences that will stay with me forever."

Unrau was a four-year starter on both the varsity basketball and volleyball teams at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, Colo. On the basketball court Unrau averaged 17 points per game, while playing forward. For the volleyball team Unrau was the middle blocker and was a finalist for Colorado state Volleyball Player of the Year.

"I enjoyed playing both sports. There isn't a better feeling than spiking the ball into someone's stomach. While in basketball there is no better feeling than hitting a shot in an opposing players face," said Unrau.

The freshman was thrown offers from various colleges to play both sports, but when the time came for Unrau to make a decision on which sport to continue playing, "I considered playing volleyball, but I couldn't imagine not going to college without playing basketball," she said. "It was a hard decision to make, but I have no regrets."

The opportunity of playing close to home did come Unrau's way, but she opted against it. "I could have stayed in Fort Collins and played at Colorado State, but it was a matter of growth for me. I wanted to go away from home and meet new people its time for me to grow up on my own," said Unrau.

While leaving home was something Unrau wanted to do, but it didn't come without hardships. Unrau is the last of three children and she was the last to leave her mother, Anne.

However, Unrau has already circled January 14, on her calendar because that is when the Tigers travel to Boulder to play the Colorado Buffaloes.

"I am looking forward to playing in front of my friend and family. It will give me a chance to show off my new life with my new friends and teammates," said Unrau.

While Unrau looks forward to playing in front of her friends and family she is adjusting to life in college. With every walk past Memorial Union and the columns a new day of college experiences awaits her.

"Everyday when I wake up I think wow now look where I am. The whole college experience is neat. However, the schoolwork is harder. I think I have studied more in the past four months than I ever did my whole life," she said. "Being up everyday with classes, study hall and then practice I am pretty tired at the end of each day," Unrau added.

During her youth Unrau has met a lot of coaches and players and there is one in particular who stands out, John Meadows. Meadows coached Unrau's summer team and became close to Unrau and her family.

Unrau said that Meadows really supported her playing basketball and taught her some tips. He also became a good friend and was there for Unrau when she needed some guidance.

Unrau spent many summers playing on AAU teams and enjoyed playing those leagues. "I really liked playing summer ball because I created bonds with people," said Unrau. "The kids I played with were out there playing basketball, only caring about basketball and worrying about life outside of basketball."

Having only been a part of the college game for a short time Unrau has noticed some big differences between college and high school basketball.

"It is a lot more physical in college and the intensity level is so high it feels like every practice is like a real game. You can't find the high intensity level in the high school game," said Unrau.

When Unrau is not playing basketball she can be found snowboarding on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains. She tries to get out there a few times each year.

"It is so pretty up in the mountains, I love being out there snowboarding it is a fun time," said Unrau.

As the 2000-2001 season opens, the freshman forward from Colorado is learning to compete both on and off the court at the University of Missouri. And from the look of it, Unrau is pleased with the route she has taken.