Posted: May 31, 2012
The Varsity Reds have confirmed Nisja Bass of Lakewood, Calif., and Karlen Majcher from Calgary, Alta., will arrive on campus this summer and suit up for UNB in the Atlantic University Sport conference.
Bass is Speedy’s first American recruit and will bring her considerable shooting talents and winning background to the Fredericton campus.
The five-foot-six combination guard from Mayfair High School plays either guard position and loves shooting the ball. Bass finished in the top 15 in California and the top 75 in the United States in high school players making successful three point field goals.
Now she gets to take that shooting skill to another level against Canadian Interuniversity Sport competition in 2012-13.
The big question is this. Why does a California athlete come to New Brunswick to play for the Varsity Reds and pursue her ambition of earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration?
“I wanted something that would give me an exciting and interesting experience and journey and I know UNB will offer me that and more,” said Bass, an honour roll student, who is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and received the very prestigious Scholar Athlete Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement at her high school. “It is going to be an experience I have never had before.”
Her goals as a student are quite clear – which includes pursuing a Master’s Degree down the road – and her on-court goals aren’t blurry, either.
"Well, since I have never lost a league title before in my entire playing career I would like our team to be the AUS Champions and also the CIS National Champions,” she said.
Music to Speedy’s ears.
"Nisja is a very exciting recruit for our program, someone who is a very motivated, committed and successful young woman,” he said. “She can obviously score and shoot the ball, but her passion for the game, the fact that she cares about defence and her leadership are the main things that attracted me to Nisja. I think she is going to have a great career at UNB and in the CIS.”
Majcher played for the Red Deer College Queens of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference for two seasons. Her rookie season was spoiled by injury, but Majcher returned to lead the Queens in scoring last year, bringing athleticism and defence to provide a solid package for UNB from the wing position.
“One of the things that really attracted me to the Varsity Reds was the closeness of the team. When I went out to visit, it was clear they shared a special family-like bond,” said Majcher. “That feeling extended to the coaching staff as well. I was instantly welcomed into the family when I was at UNB. This was reassuring knowing I’d be moving further away from home and be joining a new team, a new program and a new school.”
Energy, tenacity, speed, defence and a willingness to go to the tough areas are what attracted Speedy to bringing Majcher to UNB. A spirited competitive nature doesn’t hurt, either.
"I watched Karlen as a grade 12 student athlete two years ago and I absolutely loved how hard she played and definitely loved her athleticism,” said Speedy. “ It’s cool to finally meet her two years later and get the chance to recruit her. Just because it doesn’t work out the first time, you always keep tabs on players.”
UNB did struggle defensively in 2011-12 and it was indeed a serious issue for the V-Reds in the ultra-competitive AUS.
“It’s not a secret to anyone who follows the V-Reds women’s program that we had some trouble on the defensive end,” Speedy said. “Every single player we have recruited this year can and will guard. Karlen really cares about defending and I am hoping she will be a leader for us on that end of the court. That being said, she is an athlete and we like to push the ball. So, we are looking forward to having another weapon when we fast break."
For further information contact:
Jeff Speedy
jspeedy@unb.ca
506 447 3100