University of Minnesota Athletics
Big Brother: Senior Guard Tyree Bolden
12/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
On any athletic team, each athlete has a role. Bolden, a fourth-year senior walk-on knows his role, both on and off the court. As a member of the "white team", otherwise known as the scout team, Tyree goes head-to-head with the Gophers' starters everyday in hopes of preparing them as best he can for the next game. At 6'5 186 lbs., one may not think it, but rebounding is probably the aspect of the game Bolden helps out the Gophers with the most. "In practice we do certain rebounding drills where I'm going up against the bigger guys, because I have a nose for the ball. It's hard to keep me off the glass," claims the team's self-proclaimed highest jumper.
All of Bolden's effort may go unrecognized by the fans and the press, but you can be sure his teammates and coaches appreciate it. "As a walk-on, I've had to earn respect from my teammates and coaches," and that he has. He wishes he could show how "gritty" a player he is, as he likes to put it, but it is hard to demonstrate it in the last few minutes of a lopsided game. He would love, just like any player, to have a 30-plus minute game, but he is content with helping his team prepare for future opponents and helping them improve.
For the Gophers to continue improvement as the season goes on Bolden knows that the "white team" must give everything they have throughout the season. It is not just practice where the "white team" performs; they also have an important duty of encouragement from the bench and in the locker room. In his fourth season, Bolden is convinced he has learned what it takes to be a team player, and loves just being given the opportunity to help his team out. He even admits that there is special closeness between fellow senior walk-ons Wade Hokenson and Randy Chall. "We call it white team unity. Ever since day one, us three have been grouped together.Being our fourth year, of course we're close, we know each other pretty well." It is evident that Bolden cares deeply for his teammates, and displays such a mature unselfishness in his desires for the team to succeed.
One may wonder how Bolden has stayed motivated all four years to go out and give all he has, while not receiving the thrill of big minutes out on the floor. The answer is easy, a love for the game of basketball. "I have a passion for the game. I just want to be a part of the team."
He also loves the competition of playing for a Big Ten basketball team. He comments, "I could have played in Division two or three and maybe had a more important, role, but I don't give up, and those divisions are just not the same, the level of play is so different." He is no stranger to a high level of play. In high school, Tyree was a two-time all-conference selection in the City Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, arguably one of the tougher basketball conferences in the state. Bolden receives great internal satisfaction being able to be a part of a team that competes at the highest level in college basketball. His great attitude and work ethic are key attributes to any player, and he hopes that these traits rub off on his teammates in their quest for a bid to the NCAA tournament.
There is a lot more to it than what Bolden provides for the team in practice. It may be off the court where his services are most appreciated. Even though basketball takes up a majority of a college basketball player's time, Bolden knows that there is more to life than basketball and is always willing to help out his teammates if they ever need anything. Although he may not be the leader on the court during games, or the most vocal presence on the bench, Bolden feels like a leader to the younger players off the court.
"The younger guys view me as a big brother type, they understand I've been here for four years, and they look up to me for advice."
Bolden loves to be able to help out with off-court issues, "I can help out the freshmen with their questions, whether it be with academics, adapting to college, problems with girls, or whatever," he states. He says that it is just natural because that is how he was treated when he was younger, and he attributes much of what he's learned in the leadership department to former Gopher Kevin Burleson. Tyree hopes someday some of his present teammates will look back and thank him for his guidance. Leadership is a key ingredient to success and with established floor leaders like Michael Bauer and Ben Johnson, and the older role players helping out the younger guys, Bolden thinks this year's team will be a force to be reckoned with.
It is this feeling of helping out and being a leader, which guides Bolden's career aspirations as well. Working towards a sports management degree, he has mentioned the possibility of coaching in his future because, "It is my dream to work in athletics; I just want to be around sports." It is evident after spending some time around Bolden that the younger guys look up to him. Whether it be giving fashion tips or pointing out basketball fundamentals, his teammates are always listening. Future Gophers will definitely miss out when Bolden is no longer around.
Tyree Bolden's role has definitely progressed through his years at the University of Minnesota. Formerly known as the "best dressed" Gopher, a title started by former Gopher Dusty Rychart, he now appreciates the fact that the younger guys look up to him. Tyree appreciated the old title, "I'm a stylish person, I'm in to fashion. I was the first one on the team with Steve Madden's (shoes), now everybody here has Steve Madden's."
It is his new role that Bolden definitely holds more dear as realizes the impact he has on the underclassmen. "When you join a new team, you are looking to fit in, anybody that can make you feel welcome and comfortable is going to help things become easier." With his smiley, laid-back off court demeanor, who better to make the young guys feel comfortable than Tyree?
Bolden is enjoying his last year as much he can, but knows that it will come to an end in the near future. "I'm going to miss the Barn, the big games, but most of all my teammates. I'll still keep in touch with them, but it will be different."
Of course it will be different, just like when a big brother moves out of the house.
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Dominic Ladd. He welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu.
Tyree Bolden may never start a game for the Golden Gophers basketball team. He may never have the chance to play more than 10 minutes in a game this season. He might not even get in another game, but Tyree gets up every day, goes to practice, and most importantly, works hard at it. Why? "To make my teammates better."
On any athletic team, each athlete has a role. Bolden, a fourth-year senior walk-on knows his role, both on and off the court. As a member of the "white team", otherwise known as the scout team, Tyree goes head-to-head with the Gophers' starters everyday in hopes of preparing them as best he can for the next game. At 6'5 186 lbs., one may not think it, but rebounding is probably the aspect of the game Bolden helps out the Gophers with the most. "In practice we do certain rebounding drills where I'm going up against the bigger guys, because I have a nose for the ball. It's hard to keep me off the glass," claims the team's self-proclaimed highest jumper.
All of Bolden's effort may go unrecognized by the fans and the press, but you can be sure his teammates and coaches appreciate it. "As a walk-on, I've had to earn respect from my teammates and coaches," and that he has. He wishes he could show how "gritty" a player he is, as he likes to put it, but it is hard to demonstrate it in the last few minutes of a lopsided game. He would love, just like any player, to have a 30-plus minute game, but he is content with helping his team prepare for future opponents and helping them improve.
For the Gophers to continue improvement as the season goes on Bolden knows that the "white team" must give everything they have throughout the season. It is not just practice where the "white team" performs; they also have an important duty of encouragement from the bench and in the locker room. In his fourth season, Bolden is convinced he has learned what it takes to be a team player, and loves just being given the opportunity to help his team out. He even admits that there is special closeness between fellow senior walk-ons Wade Hokenson and Randy Chall. "We call it white team unity. Ever since day one, us three have been grouped together.Being our fourth year, of course we're close, we know each other pretty well." It is evident that Bolden cares deeply for his teammates, and displays such a mature unselfishness in his desires for the team to succeed.
One may wonder how Bolden has stayed motivated all four years to go out and give all he has, while not receiving the thrill of big minutes out on the floor. The answer is easy, a love for the game of basketball. "I have a passion for the game. I just want to be a part of the team."
He also loves the competition of playing for a Big Ten basketball team. He comments, "I could have played in Division two or three and maybe had a more important, role, but I don't give up, and those divisions are just not the same, the level of play is so different." He is no stranger to a high level of play. In high school, Tyree was a two-time all-conference selection in the City Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, arguably one of the tougher basketball conferences in the state. Bolden receives great internal satisfaction being able to be a part of a team that competes at the highest level in college basketball. His great attitude and work ethic are key attributes to any player, and he hopes that these traits rub off on his teammates in their quest for a bid to the NCAA tournament.
There is a lot more to it than what Bolden provides for the team in practice. It may be off the court where his services are most appreciated. Even though basketball takes up a majority of a college basketball player's time, Bolden knows that there is more to life than basketball and is always willing to help out his teammates if they ever need anything. Although he may not be the leader on the court during games, or the most vocal presence on the bench, Bolden feels like a leader to the younger players off the court.
"The younger guys view me as a big brother type, they understand I've been here for four years, and they look up to me for advice."
Bolden loves to be able to help out with off-court issues, "I can help out the freshmen with their questions, whether it be with academics, adapting to college, problems with girls, or whatever," he states. He says that it is just natural because that is how he was treated when he was younger, and he attributes much of what he's learned in the leadership department to former Gopher Kevin Burleson. Tyree hopes someday some of his present teammates will look back and thank him for his guidance. Leadership is a key ingredient to success and with established floor leaders like Michael Bauer and Ben Johnson, and the older role players helping out the younger guys, Bolden thinks this year's team will be a force to be reckoned with.
It is this feeling of helping out and being a leader, which guides Bolden's career aspirations as well. Working towards a sports management degree, he has mentioned the possibility of coaching in his future because, "It is my dream to work in athletics; I just want to be around sports." It is evident after spending some time around Bolden that the younger guys look up to him. Whether it be giving fashion tips or pointing out basketball fundamentals, his teammates are always listening. Future Gophers will definitely miss out when Bolden is no longer around.
Tyree Bolden's role has definitely progressed through his years at the University of Minnesota. Formerly known as the "best dressed" Gopher, a title started by former Gopher Dusty Rychart, he now appreciates the fact that the younger guys look up to him. Tyree appreciated the old title, "I'm a stylish person, I'm in to fashion. I was the first one on the team with Steve Madden's (shoes), now everybody here has Steve Madden's."
It is his new role that Bolden definitely holds more dear as realizes the impact he has on the underclassmen. "When you join a new team, you are looking to fit in, anybody that can make you feel welcome and comfortable is going to help things become easier." With his smiley, laid-back off court demeanor, who better to make the young guys feel comfortable than Tyree?
Bolden is enjoying his last year as much he can, but knows that it will come to an end in the near future. "I'm going to miss the Barn, the big games, but most of all my teammates. I'll still keep in touch with them, but it will be different."
Of course it will be different, just like when a big brother moves out of the house.
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Dominic Ladd. He welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu.
