Nash -- a Santa Clara role model

By Mike Kaufmann

He approached the stage amid cheers from everybody in attendance. There were people holding signs, clapping loudly and many were chanting three letters: M-V-P.

Steve Nash is easily one of the most celebrated athletes in Bronco history. I could rattle off stats and tell you that he's the all-time Bronco leader in assists, free throw percentage and three pointers made, but instead I'm going to take a different angle.

I had the opportunity to attend a press conference before convocation last Monday and caught a long first impression of Nash before he spoke at convocation.

While I was awed by the presence of an NBA player, let alone the NBA MVP, I couldn't help but think that Nash is the embodiment of what Santa Clara wants their student athletes to represent.

One of the first things I noticed is that Nash is very well spoken. He answered questions in a cool manner, pausing and reflecting before vocalizing what was on his mind, never spitting out clichés.

In addition to his relaxed personality, he appeared to be very humble. I remember Nash talking about his days at Santa Clara and how he said he loved being "just one of the guys." It was for that reason that he claimed to feel awkward returning to his alma mater -- he felt weird being honored in front of his former teammates when he felt just like one of them.

I also learned Monday about Nash's generosity towards the community. In 2004 he established the Steve Nash Foundation, which helps underprivileged children.

Nash also stressed that while at Santa Clara, graduating with a degree was important to him, even though he had intentions of playing professional basketball. That's certainly something that isn't seen anymore among NBA-bound college basketball players.

After listening to him speak and watching his demeanor while speaking to 3,000 people with no speech prepared, I knew that he was the complete package as a role model.

It came as no surprise that the university was delighted to have Nash speak at Monday's convocation because he shows our current athletes, and students in general, what one can accomplish with an education.

When Nash spoke about his practices off the court as a community leader, we gained an insight to his true charcter.

And that character is something that the rest of us can strive to become. Athlete or not.

Contact Mike Kaufmann at mlkaufmann@scu.edu or (408) 551-1918