The buzzer sounds as the basketball propels off the tips of the players’ fingers almost in slow motion, as the crowd grows silent with the anticipation of another victory. Swoosh, the sound of nothing but net. A sea of people in orange and brown T-shirts rise to their feet, ecstatic that the home team won.

The life of a University student athlete may seem glamorous at first, but it takes hard work to make the team. That’s what many students found out when they attended the men’s basketball walk on tryouts.

This year is Ron Shelton’s second time trying out for the team. With the first semester of Shelton’s junior year coming to a close, he is hoping for the best.

‘I think I did a pretty good job,’ Shelton said. ‘I was not trying to be the top scorer; I was just showing my knowledge of the game and also showing off my great passing and defensive abilities. Don’t get it twisted though, I could be a Kobe Bryant and drop 81 points if I have to.’

Shelton noticed a few new things at this year’s tryouts. Nearly 30 men showed up chasing after the same dream, walking on to the BGSU’s men’s basketball team.

‘This year was a lot different than last year,’ Shelton said. ‘There was a lot more people and competition this year. The coaches looked more interested in picking guys up to help the team out than last year.’

Men’s basketball assistant coach LaMonte Stone noticed the change as well.

‘I was really impressed with the guys that tried out this year,’ Stone said. ‘We had bigger guys to choose from, like 6’4 and bigger. Typically we get little guys. The bigger the better. They are more physical and can compete more with our big guys.’

Standing at 6’1, Shelton has nothing to worry about in the height department. But height is not the only trait coaches are looking for. Pat Haynes, one of the managers for the team, gave insight to what the coaches really want to see in potential players.

‘They look for a good team player, not necessarily a star,’ Haynes said. ‘Someone that won’t shoot every shot, someone that is kind of more humble and here for the team.’

Wiley Roberts is a key example of this. While he is not on the roster, he is considered a part of the team. At 5’7′ and weighing 140 pounds, Roberts is not your average college ball player. This year’s tryouts marked Roberts’s third attempt to join the team. Although Roberts did not make it in previous years, he became one of the team’s managers, and made a lasting impression on the coaches.

‘Wiley is a kid that started out as a manager,’ Stone said. ‘[Coaches] would say, ‘Hey, come on and get in on the drill,’ and you know he really impressed us, not just with his talent but with his attitude and how much he enjoyed his role, even though it was limited. He brought enthusiasm to practice.

‘His role kept expanding and now he is a practice player. Who knows what’s next,’ Stone said.

Roberts’ alarm rings at 7 a.m. almost every day just so he can practice with the team. He even organized his class schedule around their daily practices. But he doesn’t mind waking up early, he just wants to be around the game he loves.

‘It’s just me, I do what I want to do, and I love basketball,’ Roberts said. ‘That’s why I stick around. As long as I am around basketball, I’m happy.’

Roberts demonstrates the type of work ethic that the coaches want to see in this year’s potential walk-on candidates. There may be good basketball players at BGSU that are not on the men’s basketball roster, but at the end of the day it’s not just about skill, it’s about a strong team commitment.

‘The main difference between good players and those on the team is dedication,’ Stone said. ‘These guys were recruited; they had to put in the time and dedication to be here. They lift at 7:30 a.m. and practice at 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. almost every day of the week. That’s dedication. We take the first six hours of their day. A lot of walk-ons don’t understand that,’ Stone said.”

Roberts seems to understand what dedication is all about. He offered some advice as to what potential players like Shelton should prepare for.

‘Your attitude is important and accepting your role as a walk-on,’ Roberts said. ‘You might have to sit out a few drills or even the whole practice. You have to be a hard worker and be able to accept hard treatment, different than the scholarship players.’

That being said, Roberts can recall positive memories of the way he has been treated by the men’s basketball head coach Louis Orr.

‘Coach Orr looks out for me,’ Roberts said. ‘I remember once the team got food delivered right before we were about to go on the road. They were in the locker room eating. I didn’t order any food the previous day, because I wasn’t sure if I would be traveling with them. So I’m just sitting there while they are eating, the next thing I know Coach Orr walks in with a bag of Wendy’s, two hamburgers and a fry,’ Roberts said.

Tryouts serve as a bridge between the team members and the student, sharing a common passion and athletic ability to play basketball.

‘Walk-ons represent the student body,’ Stone said. ‘The walk-on is the guy who is always at the rec, they can identify with them. This is the underdog that has overcome so many difficulties. When we’re up in our games, it’s the walk-on that the crowd wants to see play. So they may chant ‘Wiley, Wiley,’ because they are really cheering for him, and everything that he overcame.’

The sound of Shelton’s peers cheering for him during a game is one thing he would love to hear.

‘The reason I want to be part of the team is so I can do what I love, and that is being around basketball,’ Shelton said. ‘I turned down joining frats and organizations because that is not me. I’m basketball all day, everyday. So if I can be a part of the men’s team, then I could join the only family on campus that I can relate to.’

Shelton has already gotten a response from the coaches.

‘I’ve heard back from the coaches last week,’ Shelton said. ‘I had an interview and now I’m just waiting on the phone call back to see if I made it or not.’

Until then it’s a waiting game. Roberts is happy as a practice player and likes traveling with the team but he is optimistic about becoming a full-fledged member of the BGSU’s men’s basketball team in the future.

‘It’s possible,’ Roberts said, leaning back in his chair, smiling. ‘I mean anything is possible.”