Quitting was never an option for Trevisan

It was a one-and-one. Taylor Trevisan, '13, stepped to the line looking for his first collegiate basketball points.  As his shot bounced off of the rim, everyone froze.

"They thought it was two-shots," said Trevisan.  "The guy from Xavier grabbed the ball and was looking to hand it to the referee, and everyone was just standing around.  So I ran up to him from the free-throw line, stole it, and laid it in."

Although it was not the way Trevisan envisioned the first two points of his college career, just to be out on the court for Saint Joseph's University was a dream come true.

 At Salesianum High School in Wilmington, Delaware, Trevisan was the captain of the basketball team.  An All-Conference First Team selection, he averaged 15 points per game.  His play garnered him looks from a few Division-III programs; however, Trevisan ultimately decided that he wanted to attend St. Joe's because of its academic reputation.

"It came down to a Division-III school to play basketball or somewhere like St. Joe's to get an education," said Trevisan.  "When I talked to my mom, the first thing she was worried about was not basketball, but instead about getting an education.  It really just came down to: one, it was near where I am from and two, I could get a good education."

Although he was not recruited by the Hawks, his aspiration to play college basketball never faded.

"It's always been a dream of mine, and I liked basketball too much to give it up," said Trevisan. "It was just never an option."

So during his freshman year, Trevisan attended an open tryout to attempt to walk-on to coach Phil Martelli's basketball team. However, it did not end the way that he had hoped. Trevisan was told by the coaching staff that he was not selected for the team, and that he needed to get stronger and quicker.

Instead of putting his head down, and forgetting about his dream, Trevisan took Martelli's words to heart, working hard over the summer to improve his strength and quickness.

"I worked my butt off over the summer," said Trevisan.  "I spent a lot of time in the weight room.  I just wasn't ready to let go."

The following year, Trevisan, undeterred, tried out for the team again.  This time, utilizing his previous experience to his advantage, he felt more comfortable playing his game.

"Actually, failing the first time, I learned a lot from the tryouts," said Trevisan.  "They are not looking for who shoots the most times or makes the most shots.  Especially a walk-on; they are looking for the little things, like who is talking, who is boxing out, and playing defense.  People become so concerned with scoring because they think that is the only way the coaches are going to notice you, and that was honestly how I approached my first tryout.  The second time I realized it wasn't about that, and I relaxed and played my game."

Martelli and his staff noticed.  Trevisan was called back, and was asked to participate in practices with the team over fall break.  After fall break, Martelli called Trevisan into his office.  The two went over his schedule, and Martelli finally announced that Trevisan had made the team.

"I wanted to hug him, but I didn't," said Trevisan with a laugh.  "I was just excited.  I called my mom first, and she started crying, and then my dad."

Now a member of the team, Trevisan knew his role.  He was brought in to practice hard, and prepare the team for their upcoming games.  He knew that the chances of ever getting on the court for a real game were slim. 

"It is definitely a struggle in your head," he said.  "You go and bust your butt every day, and then you get to the game day, and you know you are not going to get to play."

Still, Trevisan did what was expected of him and more in practice, earning him the respect of his fellow teammates.

"There is definitely a process, and now I am great friends with everybody, but there is definitely a process where you have to show them that you belong there," said Trevisan.  "You have to earn their respect and stick your nose in there with them, and mix it up with them if you have to."

His hard work did not go unnoticed by the staff.  In just the eighth game of the season, and eighth of his career, Trevisan heard something he assumed he'd never hear.  It was Martelli from up the bench, calling for him to enter the game.

"I had to do a double-take," said Trevisan.  "I wasn't sure that he even called me, and then the guys next to me nudged me and told me he was calling for me.  I just jumped up.  It was an incredible feeling."

Trevisan began to travel with the team, and played in three more games that season, scoring a season and career high five points against A-10 rival, Xavier.  At season's end, he was recognized by the men's basketball community for his hard work and dedication with the Cummins Award for spirit.  Then, unexpectedly, Martelli recognized Trevisan personally, by awarding him with a scholarship for next season.

"It feels amazing; it really is unexplainable," said Trevisan.  "I've always pictured myself playing college basketball, but if I look back in a few years, it'll be something that I will remember forever and cherish."