University of Minnesota Athletics
A Family Affair: Guard Jordan Nuness
1/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jordan, a 6-3 off guard, is the latest member of the Nuness family to wear the Maroon and Gold jersey and play on the floor of Williams Arena. The son of a well-known and gifted player on the 1968 and 1969 Golden Gopher teams, attending the University of Minnesota and playing basketball was never really a question. The university's tradition and location made it a relatively easy decision.
"It's close to home and I've always wanted to be a part of it," Jordan said. "We all get along and there is nothing bas about the program."
Even though his father, Al, was a standout player for the Maroon and Gold during his playing days and Golden Gopher basketball has been a tradition in his family since the day he was born, the decision to attend here was one that was exclusively Jordan's to make. "He wanted me to come here because he went here and it was close to home, but ultimately it was my decision," Jordan said in regards to his father.
As all parents do with their children when it comes time to make a decision about a college to attend, Al stood aside and tried not to influence his son in one way or another. "I didn't encourage him, but I didn't discourage him," the elder Nuness said. "He wanted to try Division I basketball, and there is no better place than right here."
Not only is it rewarding to have his son play for the team that he once played for, but also it is nice to dust off their old seats as season ticket holders for thirty years and watch each game, Al said. "To see him every time I go over to a game, it brings back fond memories for me," Al said. "A lot of friends say that he is similar to me."
A recruited walk-on from Eden Prairie, Minn., known for his outside shooting, Jordan spent the last season playing on the Gopher scout team. Even though he hopes to play a more prominent role on the team in the future, he wants to help out in any way that he can and continue to improve his basketball skills.
"The important thing for him is to play in practice and be ready to play," Al said. "The experience that he has gained here, you can't compare it."
Transitioning from high school to college is difficult for any student, but when you throw in the endless hours of practicing or working out and the travel time to and from games, the transition for a student-athlete can be much more of a challenge. Although it has been difficult at times, Jordan has absolutely no regrets about coming here and facing the challenge of juggling school and basketball. "It's been tough, but it's helped me grow as a player and helped me improve," Jordan said. "It's worth it just being with the team. I just love basketball."
That love for basketball was instilled in Jordan at a very young age, and his father has been with him every step of the way.
When Jordan was just a little boy, Al exposed him to the tradition of Golden Gopher basketball and the electric atmosphere of Williams Arena.
"I used to have two seats right across from the Gopher bench," Al said. "Jordan used to sit on my lap and the cheerleaders used to give him balls at every game."
Golden Gopher basketball was a large part of Jordan's life growing up, as he even served as a ball boy for a period of time. Al also coached both Jordan and his other son Jared, who played Division I basketball at Valparaiso, during their traveling basketball days. Not only was it chaotic coaching and attending all of their games when they were children, but the hectic schedule continues even today for Al and his wife, Sherry. When they are not at Williams Area watching Jordan, they can be found watching the basketball team at Park Center High School, where Jared serves as head coach.
Even though he played an influential role in developing and practicing their basketball skills, he never pushed them too hard.
"I don't think I was the overpowering dad that demanded excellence," he said. "I let them develop their own game. Each kid has to find their own way."
And, for Jordan, that development and path led to the University of Minnesota. Not only was it the school for which his father played and close to home, but it also gave him the best opportunity to grow as a player and as a person.
Jordan has always been sort of a late developer, whether it be learning how to ride a bike or learning how to tie his shoes, his father said.
"The advantage for him was that the university allowed him to redshirt," Al said. "He could then feel more comfortable and learn the system."
Even though it is an enormous challenge to walk-on at a Division I school, Al has all the confidence in the world that his son can handle the pressure and challenges ahead. "There are a number of walk-ons that have gone on to be successful," Al said.
In fact, Jordan doesn't have to look very far to find success stories of former walk-ons. Jeff Hagen, a senior center, and Brent Lawson, a senior guard, are both former walk-ons that play integral roles on the current team.
More importantly, it is important for Jordan, who is planning on working toward a degree in business and marketing, to succeed in his studies and his career later on in life. This institution has provided Jordan with more than the opportunity to play basketball; it has allowed him to grow independently as a person and decide what is best for him. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't still need his father's advice, or that is father isn't willing to give it.
"He's been doing that ever since I was in the first grade," Jordan said. So, why would now be any different?
"I always tell him to go out and work as hard as you can and leave it all on the floor," Al said.
The same floor that he left it on more than thirty years ago.
story by Shannon Edholm, athletic communications student writer Golden Gopher basketball has been a constant in the Nuness household for more than thirty years. Whether it was playing for the team or attending games at William's Arena, the Nuness family always had a vested interest in how the team did. And now, that interest has grown a little larger and deeper with Jordan, a redshirt freshman and the youngest of four boys, a member of the team.
Jordan, a 6-3 off guard, is the latest member of the Nuness family to wear the Maroon and Gold jersey and play on the floor of Williams Arena. The son of a well-known and gifted player on the 1968 and 1969 Golden Gopher teams, attending the University of Minnesota and playing basketball was never really a question. The university's tradition and location made it a relatively easy decision.
"It's close to home and I've always wanted to be a part of it," Jordan said. "We all get along and there is nothing bas about the program."
Even though his father, Al, was a standout player for the Maroon and Gold during his playing days and Golden Gopher basketball has been a tradition in his family since the day he was born, the decision to attend here was one that was exclusively Jordan's to make. "He wanted me to come here because he went here and it was close to home, but ultimately it was my decision," Jordan said in regards to his father.
As all parents do with their children when it comes time to make a decision about a college to attend, Al stood aside and tried not to influence his son in one way or another. "I didn't encourage him, but I didn't discourage him," the elder Nuness said. "He wanted to try Division I basketball, and there is no better place than right here."
Not only is it rewarding to have his son play for the team that he once played for, but also it is nice to dust off their old seats as season ticket holders for thirty years and watch each game, Al said. "To see him every time I go over to a game, it brings back fond memories for me," Al said. "A lot of friends say that he is similar to me."
A recruited walk-on from Eden Prairie, Minn., known for his outside shooting, Jordan spent the last season playing on the Gopher scout team. Even though he hopes to play a more prominent role on the team in the future, he wants to help out in any way that he can and continue to improve his basketball skills.
"The important thing for him is to play in practice and be ready to play," Al said. "The experience that he has gained here, you can't compare it."
Transitioning from high school to college is difficult for any student, but when you throw in the endless hours of practicing or working out and the travel time to and from games, the transition for a student-athlete can be much more of a challenge. Although it has been difficult at times, Jordan has absolutely no regrets about coming here and facing the challenge of juggling school and basketball. "It's been tough, but it's helped me grow as a player and helped me improve," Jordan said. "It's worth it just being with the team. I just love basketball."
That love for basketball was instilled in Jordan at a very young age, and his father has been with him every step of the way.
When Jordan was just a little boy, Al exposed him to the tradition of Golden Gopher basketball and the electric atmosphere of Williams Arena.
"I used to have two seats right across from the Gopher bench," Al said. "Jordan used to sit on my lap and the cheerleaders used to give him balls at every game."
Golden Gopher basketball was a large part of Jordan's life growing up, as he even served as a ball boy for a period of time. Al also coached both Jordan and his other son Jared, who played Division I basketball at Valparaiso, during their traveling basketball days. Not only was it chaotic coaching and attending all of their games when they were children, but the hectic schedule continues even today for Al and his wife, Sherry. When they are not at Williams Area watching Jordan, they can be found watching the basketball team at Park Center High School, where Jared serves as head coach.
Even though he played an influential role in developing and practicing their basketball skills, he never pushed them too hard.
"I don't think I was the overpowering dad that demanded excellence," he said. "I let them develop their own game. Each kid has to find their own way."
And, for Jordan, that development and path led to the University of Minnesota. Not only was it the school for which his father played and close to home, but it also gave him the best opportunity to grow as a player and as a person.
Jordan has always been sort of a late developer, whether it be learning how to ride a bike or learning how to tie his shoes, his father said.
"The advantage for him was that the university allowed him to redshirt," Al said. "He could then feel more comfortable and learn the system."
Even though it is an enormous challenge to walk-on at a Division I school, Al has all the confidence in the world that his son can handle the pressure and challenges ahead. "There are a number of walk-ons that have gone on to be successful," Al said.
In fact, Jordan doesn't have to look very far to find success stories of former walk-ons. Jeff Hagen, a senior center, and Brent Lawson, a senior guard, are both former walk-ons that play integral roles on the current team.
More importantly, it is important for Jordan, who is planning on working toward a degree in business and marketing, to succeed in his studies and his career later on in life. This institution has provided Jordan with more than the opportunity to play basketball; it has allowed him to grow independently as a person and decide what is best for him. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't still need his father's advice, or that is father isn't willing to give it.
"He's been doing that ever since I was in the first grade," Jordan said. So, why would now be any different?
"I always tell him to go out and work as hard as you can and leave it all on the floor," Al said.
The same floor that he left it on more than thirty years ago.
story by Shannon Edholm, athletic communications student writer
