AN INTERVIEW WITH ABBY GARCHEK

Abby Garchek has just finished an outstanding career as a Lady Lobo basketball player for the University of New Mexico. Abby has broken the women's basketball school record for the most points scored in a career and the most points scored in a season. She made the first team All WAC team her last three years and was named the 1998 WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player, breaking the record for the most points scored in the tournament. Along with being the teams top scored she was also among the team leaders in several categories, including rebounding, steals, and blocked shots.

Abby could have had a successful career as a soccer or tennis player. In her senior year at St. Catherine's High School, located in Racine Wisconsin, she was named the All County Athletes of the Year in basketball, soccer, and tennis. The only male or female athlete to achieve such a feat while also managing to be an honor student. I became a huge fan of hers this past season because of her accomplishments and unselfish play. I have become even more impressed with this young lady as person. Listed next are a few questions that will give you some insights into the character and life of one of UNM's most popular athletes.

Q. In High School you had to work hard to become the athlete you are now as well as spend a lot of time on studies since you were an honor student. Did you have any time to have some fun by having a social life?

A. Most of my fun in high school was experienced through the sports I played and my social life came through my teammates on all the various teams I played on. After practice we would go out to eat together or at together at someone's house. My friends at the time depended on what sport was in season. I played soccer, my favorite sport, basketball, and tennis in high school.

Q. Why did you decide to play basketball in college?

A. I have a 27 year old sister Beth who played division I soccer at the University if Louisville and she new a lot of the basketball players. She notices that these players struggled less financially since a basketball scholarship paid for more of the costs than a soccer scholarship. She said if I had the opportunity to get a basketball scholarship to go ahead and take it.

Q We now know you have at least one sister that played sports, any other brothers or sisters that were athletes?

A. I have another older sister, Bridgett, who played volleyball at the University of Rochester. She is now a Navy pilot stationed in Hawaii. She got her "wings" about the same time as senior night for our team. My parents almost had to make choice about what event to attend but they were able to pull off seeing my sister get her wings and coming to my last game at UNM.

Q. You had to make sacrifices in high school and college in order to keep up your skill level and grades. Do you have any regrets concerning the sacrifices you have had to make?

A. No, I don't have any regrets. Of course there were a few days when I said myself "why am I doing this, I just want to be a normal person", but when I looked at the overall picture I had no regrets about the sacrifices I made, and there were many. The hardest sacrifice I had to make was the family time while in college. I only get to go home for three days during Christmas break and I had to come back to school by Christmas day. I never got to see my high school friends because normally you see them on breaks from school. I have also had to sacrifice a lot of freedom in college as an athlete that I would not have had to normally. Our basketball program at UNM is strict and as a lot of picky rules that were hard to understand - like being 21 and having to be in the dorm by 10:00. There is a lot of structure in my life I would not have if I were just a regular student.

Q. Is there anything you would have done differently in high school if you then what you know now?

A. I knew that college would be fun and I couldn't wait to get out of high school. but looking back I wish I could have savored the moment more. I now realize that high school was a lot easier and it was nice having my parents do things like fix meals and do laundry for me. I also wish I had been less sensitive to some of my teammates and more concerned with what my high school coach thought. I became a basketball starter in my freshman season and that caused some jealousy among the upper classmen. They were horrible to me and I became very sensitive about what they thought. In never was a ball hog but have been very self conscious about shooting too much ever since then.

Q. Do you think your involvement with sports has made you a better person today and if so why?

A. I can talk all day about this and yes, involvement in sports has made me a better person. First of all, I've always been fit and healthy. Sports has also given me confidence in my ability to do anything I set my mind to do. Sports has also taught me humility, patience, and helped me to become extremely disciplined. These are traits that will help me in the workplace someday. Another important thing sports has taught me is perseverance, especially after what we had to go through with our program at UNM (Editors note: the team was 5-23 in Abby's freshman year and that coach that recruited her was fired after that first year. The team was 26-7 her senior year). Like I said, I can go on and on how sports has made me a better person.

Q. How important do you feel your parent's support was in your sports career?

A. My parent's support has been very important. When I first started wanting to play sports they never pushed me but gave me every opportunity to pursue my sports. I always knew my parents were there for me and this was especially important when playing in college. They would give me advice when I needed it but they would also tell me when I was out of line instead of always agreeing with me when I was complaining about something. I know my parents were the best any kid could have and I am not just saying that, I truly mean it.

Q. What are your plans after leaving UNM?

A. My goal is to play professional basketball with the WNBA or ABL. I hope to get drafted and if not I hope to get invited to tryouts for the individual teams. I would love to play for Chicago, and expansion ABL team that is near my home town of Racine Wisconsin. If I don't make any of these teams I will go to Europe to play basketball for a year or two then come back and tryout again. After basketball I plan to be a mother and then eventually a coach. If I play professionally the opportunities for many different types of jobs may arise.

Q. I know you have regularly attended the UNM Fellowship of Christian Athlete huddles. How has your faith impacted you as a person?

A. My faith has had everything to do with the person and athlete I am today. My faith has given me morals and standards which allowed me to step up to the next level emotionally and physically knowing and believing God is by my side. My faith has given me something to strive for and something to hope for after my life on earth as well as a consciousness about what decisions I have to make. Most importantly, I feel secure and very content with God at my side.

Q. Whams has attending the UNM FCA huddle meant to you?

A. Attending the UNM huddle has been a very significant part of my life in my four years of college. It has given me the opportunity to get away from the fast paced life of a student athlete. It is a time every week that I can just relax and be close to God by sharing, learning, and listening to other student athletes share. Another benefit of attending the huddle is you get to hang around friends with the same values which is really important. In high school my friends and I shared the same basic values (I went to a Catholic High School). I realized I led a sheltered life then because I found myself doing things in college that I wouldn't have done in high school. FCA huddles give you an opportunity to hang around others who will be a good influence.

Thank you Abby for sharing with us and we wish you all the best in your future.

Gary St epic