Catching up with Niesen

By Joe Doss-Antoun

While many Broncos continued their basketball careers abroad after graduating, Travis Niesen chose a different path.

The former Bronco star, who graduated last year, turned down multiple offers on two different continents to play professionally, and instead is now training to become a police officer.

Niesen talked with sports reporter Joe Doss-Antoun last week about his new career path, head coach Dick Davey's retirement and the current Bronco team.

Joe Doss-Antoun: What have you been up to since graduating last year?

Travis Niesen: I'm in the middle of training with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office to become a police officer, and I'm also affiliated with the Santa Clara Police Department.

JD: Did you know you wanted to become a police officer right after graduating from Santa Clara?

TN: I knew my whole life that I wanted to be in law enforcement. After graduating, I had a few offers to play overseas, and as grateful as I am for what basketball has given me, I knew I had to do what I was more passionate about.

JD: Where did you have offers to play?

TN: Germany, Spain, Portugal and Japan. Considering the offers I got in Japan, that's probably where I would have played if I had continued to play basketball.

JD: Did you talk to Doron Perkins about playing in Japan?

TN: Yeah, he loves it out there. But now he's on the verge of making the NBA and doing better things. I was never that good.

JD: Do you regret your decision of not pursuing a basketball career overseas?

TN: You know, I was worried over the summer when I made my decision that I might regret it in a few months. But I haven't. I love what I'm doing now.

JD: Did you consider money as a factor when you made your decision?

TN: Money wasn't a factor at all. I definitely would have made more money playing in Japan than I'll make as a police officer, but if you're doing it for the money, then you're doing it for the wrong reason.

JD: How do you feel about Dick Davey retiring after this season?

TN: I was shocked. Coach Davey is the reason why I went to Santa Clara, and I believe the caliber of coach he is doesn't even begin to describe the caliber of person he is. I'm just glad I'm not the one making those decisions, and Coach Davey has my full support.

JD: You were the guest radio commentator for the Broncos' last home game. How does a career in sports broadcasting sound to you?

TN: I actually had a lot of fun because I knew the team so well, and I could really talk about each one of the players, but that is a deceptively tough job. I don't know if I could handle it.

JD: Speaking of knowing the players, who is your favorite player to watch on the team?

TN: I'm one of the biggest fans of Danny Pariseau. He reminds me a lot of Nash -- the way he gives you the ball where and when you need it, which is really underrated. He's one of the best point guards I've ever played with. And of course, my favorite point guard of all time -- Brody Angley.

JD: What do you think about the Broncos' success this season?

TN: I am so excited, and I just wish I could go out there and play with them. They play the game the way the game of basketball should be played. They really play tremendous defense and go out there and play their butts off, which is really fun to see. When they start making their shots, they can beat anybody.

TN: The coaches are amazing. They do so much to get us properly prepared for the games. It was really simple while I was playing there: If we did what the coaches said, we won; if we didn't, we would lose.

And when we did lose, the coaches took the blame, and when we won, the coaches would praise the players. More specifically, Coach Seandel is really the team's hidden gem. He does some of the most amazing things to prepare our team, and I believe he was one of the main reasons why we upset North Carolina in 2004 -- the way he planned our whole scheme to counter their defensive attack.

Contact Joe Doss-Antoun at (408) 551-1918 or jdossantoun@scu.edu.