Chapter 10
Scholarship in the USA
Combining sport and education is difficult. One way of solving the problem is to have a sports scholarship in the USA. Nanna Sand has had one for four years and tells us about her experiences in this interwiev.
I first went to the USA as an ordinary exchange student for a year. While I was there I played basketball, which is my favourite sport. I had played with Asker in the Norwegian 1. division and did pretty well on my American team too.
Back home in Norway, the coach of the team at the Arizona State University contacted me. She had heard of me and asked me to send a video of myself playing a match. I did, and shortly afterwards I was asked to join their team. I think I was lucky. The coach had just taken over the team and was on the lookout for new players.
It was very difficult. Many new things to adjust to, especially the training. We were training very hard. In Asker we had days off, but not so now. We were at it every day after lunch for three or four hours.
Yes we did. That is why we could only select courses from 8 to 12 noon. If we needed other courses we had to take them in the evening.
Oh no, I went there to have an education as well. With a sport scholarship it is much easier to combine sports with an education.
Well, in Norway I could not afford to play and study at the same time. Here the school pays for you.
Something like $ 10 000.
Yes, they provide the housing. My coach demanded that the players lived in dorms at least the first year. I shared a bedroom with another player and a living room and a kitchen with two soccer players. A very good way of getting to know others. The basket team also had dinner together every day. Very good for getting to know each other too. Of course all sports equipment was free.
Yes, very much so! With 55 000 students on the campus, you needed to get close social ties in a small group.
The scholarship students all belonged to the sports department. It was very well organized, with all facilities. It has its own buildings with doctors, physiotherapists, academic counsellors, computer room etc, all separate and well equipped.
Must be quite expensive.
Well, all the sports programs are supported by the state authorities. They are paid for by public money to a great extent. There are also sponsors. Often they are old students who have done well financially. Now they wish to support the institution that trained them for their career.
Now there is a law that regulates the number of sports scholarships. There must be just as many girls as boys on scholarships in every university. It was not like that before.
Moneywise basket is the biggest. The fact that there is a Women National Basketball Association now, shows this. Other big sports are softball, that is baseball for women, volley ball, athletics, swimming, diving, soccer, golf. At our university they are organizing rowing and water polo too.
What is your advice for those who want to get a scholarship?
There are many more possibilities than you think. More people will succeed than you imagine. People must realise that there are many levels to play on, like 1.and 2. division. When they stop looking for the top clubs only, there are many doors that open up.
The most direct way is to phone yourself. Ask for the sports department and one of the coaches of your sport. Say that you will send a video. The Americans are very positive to such an initiative. Internet is another way.
You have finished your education in management and marketing but still you are going back for a 5th year of college basketball. Why?
Since I was 12 years old I have wished to play basket in the USA. I never thought I would get there. Now I am there and I am enjoying myself. I love to play basketball, so I have decided to go for another year. Besides, I have an American boyfriend.
No, I am coming back to live in Norway.