University of Minnesota Athletics
Loving Every Minute: Sophomore Spencer Tollackson
1/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The 6-9 sophomore from Chaska has established himself as a formidable presence in the middle for the maroon and gold, averaging nearly 12 points and over six rebounds a game so far this year. All the while he has done it the right way, while having fun.
“The way I’ve always viewed things is that it’s just a game,” Tollackson stated. “You obviously have to take it seriously, being a Division I player at a Big Ten school, but it is just a game, and games are meant to have fun. I just try to have fun with anything I do.” Certainly there is no other player in college basketball who is having more fun than “Spence”, as he is known by coaches and teammates. After fouling out of the Gophers’ game against Arizona State earlier this season, Tollackson was taunted by the Sun Devil student section with the familiar “left, right, left” chant. As he walked to the bench, Tollackson playfully toyed with them by skipping a step to throw them off rhythm. He then psyched them out as they yelled “Sit Down!” when he arrived at his spot on the bench. It was just one example of Tollackson’s sense of humor and the fun-loving attitude he brings to the Gophers.
“He’s the emotional catalyst for our team,” assistant coach Bill Walker stated. “I think with the way he plays and with his enthusiasm, he can kind of get the crowd into it and get the players fired up from that standpoint.”
Whether it involves expressing his excitement after a thunderous dunk on the court or doing impersonations of the coaches and his fellow teammates in the locker room, Tollackson wears his emotions on his sleeves. His role on the team involves bringing a ton of energy and keeping the team loose.
“We’re having a lot of fun this year, and I think guys buy into that whole thing whether it’s joking around in the locker room before a game or just trying to loosen up a little bit,” Tollackson said. “I think we play a lot better when we’re loose and relaxed and just go out there and compete and have fun.”
Tollackson admits last year was a lot of fun simply because the team had so much success. During the NCAA Tournament run in 2004-05, Tollackson was primarily a reserve player who filled in for All-Big Ten Honorable Mention performer Jeff Hagen when he went down with injuries or simply needed a breather. Playing in the shadows of Hagen, last season was truly a learning experience for Tollackson.
“I learned that you need to come out every day, whether it’s practice or a game, with the same intensity,” he said. “That’s the one thing Jeff taught me.You have to try to get better every day.”
While Tollackson will probably never be the most serious guy on the team, he understands there are times when he needs to buckle down and put in the work. In the absence of Hagen, Tollackson knew his role would increase dramatically this season. He therefore took it personally to get his body in shape over the summer. Tollackson spent much of the offseason in the weight room and working on his conditioning to become stronger and more durable for the upcoming season.
The result is a new and improved Spencer Tollackson. “He’s in better shape now than he’s ever been in his life,” Walker commented.
The improvement can be seen by Tollackson’s effectiveness on the floor while averaging over 26 minutes a game.
“I think everything that has to do with me playing well has to do with the kind of shape I’m in,” Tollackson stated. “That’s pretty much what basketball is, it’s a running and jumping game. If you’re tired you can’t do those things, so I think you pretty much have to give all the credit to what kind of shape I’ve put my body in.”
Tollackson’s development was also aided significantly by playing on the Big Ten Foreign Tour this past summer. Playing along with some of the best players in the conference, Tollackson demonstrated how effective he can be by averaging 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. Tollackson’s confidence grew as he established himself as one of the better players on the tour, something that has carried over into this season.
“Last year I was a little bit passive. My confidence wasn’t really there,” Tollackson admitted. “I think the trip overseas really helped playing along with some of the other centers in the Big Ten. It made me realize what I would have to be able to do this year.” “I think it gave him as much confidence as anything,” Walker agreed.
Tollackson has definitely showed a renewed confidence this year. He is more aggressive on offense and has made significant strides in his ability to rebound the basketball, according to Walker. Tollackson has also showed signs that he can be reliable at the free throw line, something that has haunted him throughout his career. Tollackson has become a consistent inside presence for the Gophers.
Minnesota’s coaching staff saw Tollackson’s potential early on in his career at Chaska High School, where he lettered in basketball all four years. Following his sophomore season, Tollackson committed to the University of Minnesota. “I pretty much always wanted to come here,” Tollackson said. “Playing at Williams Arena is a kid’s dream. And I am really family oriented. My whole family is from here so they can come out and watch me play.”
Tollackson went on to lead the Hawks to the Class 4A State Championship his senior year while being named Mr. Basketball in the state of Minnesota, in addition to numerous other accolades. Tollackson graduated as the all-time leading scorer in Chaska High School and Lake Conference history with 1,868 points.
Now playing for the Gophers, Tollackson is living a dream. “It’s awesome,” he responded when asked what it is like to play for the team he grew up watching. “Every time you come out here before a game you get the chills just because you know the fans here are so loyal. And when you put on the uniform that says ‘Minnesota’ and you were born and raised here, there’s a certain amount of pride that you have to play for your home state.”
As a result of numerous injuries to begin the season this year, the Gophers are still trying to gel together and build team chemistry. However, Tollackson believes they have the potential to be just as good, if not better than last year. Wherever this season takes them, the Gophers promise to work hard, be tough, play together, and most importantly, have fun. “Spence” can assure you of that. He has fun no matter what it is he is doing.
Tollackson’s skills extend far beyond the basketball court. He was a three-time all- conference selection as a pitcher for his high school baseball team, possessing a fastball clocked somewhere in the high-80s to low-90s. It was enough to have Minnesota baseball coach John Anderson interested. Due to his focus on basketball, Tollackson has not thrown a baseball on a consistent basis since arriving on campus, but he said he is still interested in pursuing baseball and is hoping to give it a try this year, whether it only involves practicing for a year or actually getting the chance to play competitively.
Tollackson also developed a new passion this past summer while taking a theater class. While he has no background in acting, Tollackson said the fun of it really appealed to him. “I have zero prior knowledge to acting,” he admitted. “But I figured if I can make a fool of myself in front of my friends I could do it in front of the camera. And there’s just something about the theater, being able to go on stage or in a movie and kind of escape reality for a little bit.”
“I think that’s perfect for him,” Walker stated. “He’s never met a stranger. He’s great with people. I think he has no fear of a crowd or being on stage, so I think he’d be terrific at it.” Tollackson plans on majoring in theater arts and minoring in mass communications. Tollackson is not sure which path he will follow in the pursuit of a future career. “I just like everything that I’m doing right now,” he said. “As long as I keep doing what I like to do and what I love to do, it shouldn’t bother me.”
Whether it is basketball, baseball, theater, or some other venture, Spencer Tollackson is sure to be successful. No matter which path he chooses, you can be sure of one thing: he will have fun doing it.
story by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student assistant The pressure of playing Division I college basketball can be significant considering the emphasis on winning, the attention of the media and the demands involved with being a college student. Outstanding high school athletes often buckle under the pressure and fail to meet the expectations set for them at the college level. One person who has not let the pressure get to him is Gopher center Spencer Tollackson.
The 6-9 sophomore from Chaska has established himself as a formidable presence in the middle for the maroon and gold, averaging nearly 12 points and over six rebounds a game so far this year. All the while he has done it the right way, while having fun.
“The way I’ve always viewed things is that it’s just a game,” Tollackson stated. “You obviously have to take it seriously, being a Division I player at a Big Ten school, but it is just a game, and games are meant to have fun. I just try to have fun with anything I do.” Certainly there is no other player in college basketball who is having more fun than “Spence”, as he is known by coaches and teammates. After fouling out of the Gophers’ game against Arizona State earlier this season, Tollackson was taunted by the Sun Devil student section with the familiar “left, right, left” chant. As he walked to the bench, Tollackson playfully toyed with them by skipping a step to throw them off rhythm. He then psyched them out as they yelled “Sit Down!” when he arrived at his spot on the bench. It was just one example of Tollackson’s sense of humor and the fun-loving attitude he brings to the Gophers.
“He’s the emotional catalyst for our team,” assistant coach Bill Walker stated. “I think with the way he plays and with his enthusiasm, he can kind of get the crowd into it and get the players fired up from that standpoint.”
Whether it involves expressing his excitement after a thunderous dunk on the court or doing impersonations of the coaches and his fellow teammates in the locker room, Tollackson wears his emotions on his sleeves. His role on the team involves bringing a ton of energy and keeping the team loose.
“We’re having a lot of fun this year, and I think guys buy into that whole thing whether it’s joking around in the locker room before a game or just trying to loosen up a little bit,” Tollackson said. “I think we play a lot better when we’re loose and relaxed and just go out there and compete and have fun.”
Tollackson admits last year was a lot of fun simply because the team had so much success. During the NCAA Tournament run in 2004-05, Tollackson was primarily a reserve player who filled in for All-Big Ten Honorable Mention performer Jeff Hagen when he went down with injuries or simply needed a breather. Playing in the shadows of Hagen, last season was truly a learning experience for Tollackson.
“I learned that you need to come out every day, whether it’s practice or a game, with the same intensity,” he said. “That’s the one thing Jeff taught me.You have to try to get better every day.”
While Tollackson will probably never be the most serious guy on the team, he understands there are times when he needs to buckle down and put in the work. In the absence of Hagen, Tollackson knew his role would increase dramatically this season. He therefore took it personally to get his body in shape over the summer. Tollackson spent much of the offseason in the weight room and working on his conditioning to become stronger and more durable for the upcoming season.
The result is a new and improved Spencer Tollackson. “He’s in better shape now than he’s ever been in his life,” Walker commented.
The improvement can be seen by Tollackson’s effectiveness on the floor while averaging over 26 minutes a game.
“I think everything that has to do with me playing well has to do with the kind of shape I’m in,” Tollackson stated. “That’s pretty much what basketball is, it’s a running and jumping game. If you’re tired you can’t do those things, so I think you pretty much have to give all the credit to what kind of shape I’ve put my body in.”
Tollackson’s development was also aided significantly by playing on the Big Ten Foreign Tour this past summer. Playing along with some of the best players in the conference, Tollackson demonstrated how effective he can be by averaging 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. Tollackson’s confidence grew as he established himself as one of the better players on the tour, something that has carried over into this season.
“Last year I was a little bit passive. My confidence wasn’t really there,” Tollackson admitted. “I think the trip overseas really helped playing along with some of the other centers in the Big Ten. It made me realize what I would have to be able to do this year.” “I think it gave him as much confidence as anything,” Walker agreed.
Tollackson has definitely showed a renewed confidence this year. He is more aggressive on offense and has made significant strides in his ability to rebound the basketball, according to Walker. Tollackson has also showed signs that he can be reliable at the free throw line, something that has haunted him throughout his career. Tollackson has become a consistent inside presence for the Gophers.
Minnesota’s coaching staff saw Tollackson’s potential early on in his career at Chaska High School, where he lettered in basketball all four years. Following his sophomore season, Tollackson committed to the University of Minnesota. “I pretty much always wanted to come here,” Tollackson said. “Playing at Williams Arena is a kid’s dream. And I am really family oriented. My whole family is from here so they can come out and watch me play.”
Tollackson went on to lead the Hawks to the Class 4A State Championship his senior year while being named Mr. Basketball in the state of Minnesota, in addition to numerous other accolades. Tollackson graduated as the all-time leading scorer in Chaska High School and Lake Conference history with 1,868 points.
Now playing for the Gophers, Tollackson is living a dream. “It’s awesome,” he responded when asked what it is like to play for the team he grew up watching. “Every time you come out here before a game you get the chills just because you know the fans here are so loyal. And when you put on the uniform that says ‘Minnesota’ and you were born and raised here, there’s a certain amount of pride that you have to play for your home state.”
As a result of numerous injuries to begin the season this year, the Gophers are still trying to gel together and build team chemistry. However, Tollackson believes they have the potential to be just as good, if not better than last year. Wherever this season takes them, the Gophers promise to work hard, be tough, play together, and most importantly, have fun. “Spence” can assure you of that. He has fun no matter what it is he is doing.
Tollackson’s skills extend far beyond the basketball court. He was a three-time all- conference selection as a pitcher for his high school baseball team, possessing a fastball clocked somewhere in the high-80s to low-90s. It was enough to have Minnesota baseball coach John Anderson interested. Due to his focus on basketball, Tollackson has not thrown a baseball on a consistent basis since arriving on campus, but he said he is still interested in pursuing baseball and is hoping to give it a try this year, whether it only involves practicing for a year or actually getting the chance to play competitively.
Tollackson also developed a new passion this past summer while taking a theater class. While he has no background in acting, Tollackson said the fun of it really appealed to him. “I have zero prior knowledge to acting,” he admitted. “But I figured if I can make a fool of myself in front of my friends I could do it in front of the camera. And there’s just something about the theater, being able to go on stage or in a movie and kind of escape reality for a little bit.”
“I think that’s perfect for him,” Walker stated. “He’s never met a stranger. He’s great with people. I think he has no fear of a crowd or being on stage, so I think he’d be terrific at it.” Tollackson plans on majoring in theater arts and minoring in mass communications. Tollackson is not sure which path he will follow in the pursuit of a future career. “I just like everything that I’m doing right now,” he said. “As long as I keep doing what I like to do and what I love to do, it shouldn’t bother me.”
Whether it is basketball, baseball, theater, or some other venture, Spencer Tollackson is sure to be successful. No matter which path he chooses, you can be sure of one thing: he will have fun doing it.
story by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student assistant
