Country singer Alan Jackson once suggested in a hit song that anybody could forget about all the worries in the world by "turning on ?I Love Lucy' re-runs." For Indiana State guard Sarah Paul, watching the legendary Lucille Ball in her namesake television show is all part of her routine during basketball season. Don't let the fact that Paul enjoys watching her all-time favorite show on DVD these days fool you, it's all part of what makes the junior from Elkhorn, Wis., tick.
"(I Love Lucy) is my favorite show of all-time," Paul stated in a recent interview during one of those 12-hour days that collegiate athletes have to put in these days. "During basketball season, its hard to find time to watch the DVD's that I have of the show, but I try to get the team to watch the reruns all the time."
So in a day and age when American Bandstand has been replaced by American Idol and St. Elsewhere has become Grey's Anatomy, how does Paul rate herself in trying to get teammates and friends converted back to ?old-fashioned' television?
"Not too well," Paul admitted. "There have only been one or two members of the team that actually have gotten into watching the show with me."
Despite her lack of success in getting 18-21 year old teammates to watch the most popular show of 40 years ago, success in sports is nothing new to Paul.
The youngest of three children, Paul lettered in five different sports at Elkhorn High School. She earned a berth into the Wisconsin Girl's State Golf Championships as a freshman and also tried her hand at soccer, softball and volleyball, in addition to her chosen sport ? basketball.
"I grew up near a golf course, so my dad and I used to play a few holes together late in the afternoon when I was growing up," Paul said. "And I tried the other sports, but basketball has always been the one that I have concentrated on the most."
Paul came to Indiana State as a decorated high school player. She has enjoyed a very steady first two seasons in the program and scored nine points against Missouri St. Louis in exhibition play earlier this year. Like most of the members of last year's Sycamore team, she lists beating Vanderbilt, ranked nationally all of the year, at Hulman Center as being one of the greatest thrills of their sports careers.
"That was such a special night for our team," Paul said. "Everybody played so well in that game, that night will be a great memory for everybody that was a part of it."
Paul remembers something from that game that most never even noticed from the stands as one of the best parts of the whole evening. Late in the second half, with the game still very much in doubt, Kara Schilli made a hustle play and fell down to the court hard. Paul recounts that athletic trainer Michelle Landis began a sprint towards Schilli to attempt to tend to her during the injury, but Leah Phillips, who had recognized that Schilli wasn't really injured so much as just a little banged up, used a text book box out move on Landis to keep her off the floor and away from Schilli. Phillips knew that if Landis had reached Schilli, then she would have to come out of the game at a very crucial moment.
"I was near that while it was happening and we thought it was pretty funny during the game." Paul admitted. "But the next day when we were watching film in the locker room, everybody was dying laughing because it so funny to watch. Coach Wiedie kept putting it in slow motion and it was by far one of the most memorable parts of a great night."
Paul has had the great support of her parents, Dave and Kathy, while growing up to even have the chance to be a part of something like that Vanderbilt victory.
Most around the program and any one who has seen Dave Paul in the stands at a Sycamore basketball game might have mistaken him for former University of South Carolina and NBA standout as well as head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, Mike Dunleavy. (photo of Paul at left).
Sarah admits that there have been a few times, especially when their family has been out at basketball games that her dad has been mistaken for the basketball playing and coaching star. Her dad, who most would describe as a happy-go-lucky type usually takes it all in stride and occasionally has fun with those that think they are in the presence of a star.
And while her parents are a real source of support, they have had their share of fun at the expense of their children, especially when its comes to their youngest daughter.
Most notably in Sarah's mind is an episode from when she was in eighth grade when her mother thought it would especially momentous to play what Sarah calls "an odd space-like version" of Happy Birthday over her middle school's public address system.
"They usually just played that at our birthday parties, but that year Mom decided it would be extra embarrassing to play it for the whole school."
But as most parents would agree, they ?get' their children because of the great bond that exists. Sarah says its probably been harder on her parents to miss some of her collegiate games than it has been for her to not have them at every game due to the five-hour or more driving distance between Wisconsin and Indiana.
"I knew that they wouldn't be able to come to everything when I decided to come to Indiana State. They keep up with things on the internet and we stay in close touch even though I am at school so far away."
So in Sarah Paul, we find a very easy going, yet hard-working Sycamore that is laying it all on the line each and every day to get better and help the Sycamores return to their championship form.
Whether it be 6 am weight room sessions, class all day or practice until well after dark, plus homework, Paul and her teammates use every waking hour to put a positive stamp on this program and get an education to match.
Not exactly a schedule that allows for a ton of "I Love Lucy" re-runs, but certainly a work ethic that is pointing to a great future.
