University of Minnesota Athletics
The Trend Setter; Junior Tyree Bolden
2/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Although Bolden has just appeared in four games this season, his presence is more than expected on the team, both on and off the court. As a prominent member of the scout team-the practice team that simulates the plays and style of upcoming opponents for the starters-Bolden helps to prepare his teammates, challenging them with his quickness, rebounding skills and ability to shoot.
"On the scout team, I have a pretty big role, and that is to make sure the starters are as prepared as possible for the next game. They can expect me to be attacking the boards and cleaning up the glass. I'm a little bit of a slasher so you can count on me to score," Bolden said.
Senior Kevin Burleson< /a> emphasized his gratitude for having Bolden (also his roommate) as an integral preparatory player for the Gophers. Not only does Bolden keep the air light at practices with his jokester personality despite the pressures of basketball, Burleson said, but he blends that well with working hard.
"Practice-wise, Tyree is the best rebounder I've seen," Burleson said. "He has a knack for the ball even though he's not the tallest guy on the team. Plus, there isn't anyone on the team who doesn't like him. Tyree's the guy everybody wants to hang out with."
Beyond practice and a few games this season, Bolden has a definite penchant for infusing his character into other team members-through style, music and speech. Bolden has been described as the team trendsetter, wearing new clothes that start to be purchased throughout the team or coining a phrase that soon circulates in the locker room. Although Bolden is modest about this title, he says he supposes the reason his teammates pick up on his mannerisms are because they are unique.
"A lot of times when you do things differently, some people have a hard time accepting you and your interests," Bolden said. "But after a while, people start to listen and try to understand and realize they could like it. I've gone to some of the guys' rooms and caught them listening to music they used to make fun of me for. But they gave it a chance."
A short list compiled from Bolden's roommates and fellow teammates of how copyright-Tyree style is traveling about the Golden Gophers:
Softer R&B music like Anita Baker, Bobby Brown and Maxwell, not excluding the likes of Michael Jackson.
A dressier style of clothing, including nice jeans, a classy shirt but rarely team sweats, due to Bolden not wanting to over-flaunt being a student-athlete.
The saying "That's what you've gotta know."
Various kinds of shoes, including a newer pair that three different players have now purchased; and finally,
Preferring baby powder over cologne.
Freshman Aliou Kane said he felt that while Bolden is a trendsetter, what makes him more popular with the team is his ability to make everyone laugh.
"It's hard to find somebody like Tyree," Kane said. "Everyone else can get mad at practice, but not Tyree. You can say whatever you want to him, and he'll still have a smile on his face, and that will start everyone else smiling too."
Even if a jersey pulled over his head is covering it up. A slam dunk-powerful, pretty or in signature style-is simply a crowd favorite. Dunks generate excitement, show athleticism and can break the monotony of shots from the field. At the annual Golden Gopher Madness at Midnight, the slam-dunk contest-and contest winner-are often the center of attention. So last year when then-sophomore Tyree Bolden, a 6'5" non-starter, captured the dunk title, he more than caught the eye of Gopher fans who hadn't yet seen what the walk-on from Milwaukee has to offer. By winning it with his jersey over his head and shrouding his face, Bolden gave the University of Minnesota a taste of what his role on the team would be: a trendsetter who likes to succeed with his own personal style.
Although Bolden has just appeared in four games this season, his presence is more than expected on the team, both on and off the court. As a prominent member of the scout team-the practice team that simulates the plays and style of upcoming opponents for the starters-Bolden helps to prepare his teammates, challenging them with his quickness, rebounding skills and ability to shoot.
"On the scout team, I have a pretty big role, and that is to make sure the starters are as prepared as possible for the next game. They can expect me to be attacking the boards and cleaning up the glass. I'm a little bit of a slasher so you can count on me to score," Bolden said.
Senior Kevin Burleson< /a> emphasized his gratitude for having Bolden (also his roommate) as an integral preparatory player for the Gophers. Not only does Bolden keep the air light at practices with his jokester personality despite the pressures of basketball, Burleson said, but he blends that well with working hard.
"Practice-wise, Tyree is the best rebounder I've seen," Burleson said. "He has a knack for the ball even though he's not the tallest guy on the team. Plus, there isn't anyone on the team who doesn't like him. Tyree's the guy everybody wants to hang out with."
Beyond practice and a few games this season, Bolden has a definite penchant for infusing his character into other team members-through style, music and speech. Bolden has been described as the team trendsetter, wearing new clothes that start to be purchased throughout the team or coining a phrase that soon circulates in the locker room. Although Bolden is modest about this title, he says he supposes the reason his teammates pick up on his mannerisms are because they are unique.
"A lot of times when you do things differently, some people have a hard time accepting you and your interests," Bolden said. "But after a while, people start to listen and try to understand and realize they could like it. I've gone to some of the guys' rooms and caught them listening to music they used to make fun of me for. But they gave it a chance."
A short list compiled from Bolden's roommates and fellow teammates of how copyright-Tyree style is traveling about the Golden Gophers:
Softer R&B music like Anita Baker, Bobby Brown and Maxwell, not excluding the likes of Michael Jackson.
A dressier style of clothing, including nice jeans, a classy shirt but rarely team sweats, due to Bolden not wanting to over-flaunt being a student-athlete.
The saying "That's what you've gotta know."
Various kinds of shoes, including a newer pair that three different players have now purchased; and finally,
Preferring baby powder over cologne.
Freshman Aliou Kane said he felt that while Bolden is a trendsetter, what makes him more popular with the team is his ability to make everyone laugh.
"It's hard to find somebody like Tyree," Kane said. "Everyone else can get mad at practice, but not Tyree. You can say whatever you want to him, and he'll still have a smile on his face, and that will start everyone else smiling too."
Even if a jersey pulled over his head is covering it up.
