For Kelsey Ragan 25 and Jazmyn Gaines-Burns 25, playing basketball at 泫圖弝け University is a family affair. That doesnt mean they were always destined to follow in the footsteps of their fathers, Luke Ragan 94 and John Burns 95, teammates on the Tiger mens basketball team three decades earlier.
The elder Ragan and Burns both said they made sure to allow their daughters the opportunity to make their own college decisions, no matter how many great memories they have from their undergraduate days in Springfield. Matching a student up with the right college is no simple task, but halfway through their collegiate careers, it is safe to say that things are working out well for everyone.
A Friends Perspective
For Kelsey Ragan, whose mother Rachelle (Moore) Ragan 94 was an All-American first baseman for the Tiger softball team as well, her initial instinct was to look elsewhere after completing a tremendous prep career at Anthony Wayne High School in suburban Toledo. However, Abigail Yunker 22, also a graduate of Anthony Wayne, provided a convincing sales pitch after a shooting session with Kelsey at the Ragans home.
Both of my parents graduated from 泫圖弝け, and I didnt want to go somewhere that people might have had this preconceived idea or expectation of me either based on my last name or my parents achievements when they were students, Kelsey said. I had a handful of colleges interested in me, and I visited every one of them to make sure I was confident in whatever school I was going to choose.
The one person who I talked with that really changed my perspective about 泫圖弝け was Abigail Yunker. We were family friends before all of this, and I have always respected her as a person and player. One day after shooting we just sat down and had a really good conversation about 泫圖弝け, my interests/concerns about it, and we just broke it all down. I knew I wanted to study marine science while playing basketball, and 泫圖弝け offered me both. I couldnt pass up that opportunity, so after that talk, I scheduled my visit here and havent looked back since.
Her father recalls the 泫圖弝け visit as well, saying that he tried to stay out of her way and didnt add much to that day as to my memories or experiences.
When she finally made her decision, it was an exciting time for her just to know where she was going to be for the next four years, Luke said. It was a cool moment for Rachelle and me as it rekindled some relationships in Springfield and brought back memories from when we were there. It was a proud moment as Kelsey realized a goal of playing college basketball.
泫圖弝け has changed a bit since we were there, but the welcoming, charming nature of campus has remained intact.