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Show Sporfstacular- - Pag 20 Thursday, December 1 3, 979 1 CcMm scoots mmsufEz aft Whether on the court or off, Weber States Bruce Collins always seems able to handle himself. Last Saturday evening at the Purple Palace, !Dee Events Center), Collins had the situation completely under control. About midway through the second half, the Wildcat senior pulled from about 16 feet out, sent his sleek 6 frame high into the air and let go a bank shot that sounded with a bang and swish. The 8,389 fans rose to their feet and voiced appreciative crys of joy for Collins who had just become the e leading scorer in Weber State basketball history. The two-poibank shot gave Collins 1,565 career points surpassing the previous record of 1,563 set by former WSC great Willie Sojourner. Collins, who admits that he had made a goal to break the record by the third game of the season, was just as appreciative for the fans as they were for him. Im glad to get it over with, although I didnt plan it that way. Thats the way it finally turned out, though, and the fans really helped motivate me, Collins said. A few days before the record breaking performance, Collins said greatness to him was being able to cope with any decision at anytime and making the right decision at the right time. Making the decision to play at Weber was the best decision Ive ever made, said Collins. In mentioning the attributes of a great team, Collins the sign of greatness comes when a team stays behind you, even when the times are rough. Weber State has done that for a lot of guys, Collins said. players from Rock Springs. The person I admired the most during my recruitment was Pete Berry (then an assistant to McCarthy). When I had the stomach ulser as a senior and then the operation, a lot of recruiters left but Berry stuck with me, said Collins. on from the day he Big Sky play has turned Hi-entered the league. He claims there is no one he enjoys beating better than Montana and Idaho State next. addition to This season he expects Nevado-Reno- s the league to be a big plus for. the league as far as competition goes. Collins also expects Northern Arizona to be in the thick of the race. To prepare us for our final season (referring to the four senior starters) the coaches have done an excellent job in recruiting top players. Since the opening day of practice, our scrimmages have been nothing but 6-- C all-tim- nt They Call Him Hi-at Weber State, who has They call Bruce, Hi-developed into one of the most electrifying players to don a Weber uniform. Coach Neil McCarthy stated, Bruce is the kind of player who comes up with the big play each game. Theres no question that we look for leadership from him both on and off the court. He has been forever enshrined in the hearts of Wildcat fans, besides firmly establishing himself in the record books, while starting in every game he has ever played at Weber State. After the contest with Rhode Island Monday night, Bruce made it 97 in a row. Ive learned a lot since coming to Weber said Collins, "Not only in basketball, but my relationship with people. I like people even though Im basically shy. When Im around people, I dont want to be ignorant. We were put here to do special things and you never know when another person could possibly help you. Collins, the Honorary Chairman of the March of Dimes program in the area, loves little Idds and ended up jogging the designated 28 miles in last summers March of Dimes marathon. Dave Penilton, another Weber State basketball senior, involved Collins initially in the program. ife&srSftatie a dogfight. Practices have been A- -l tough, Collins said. old that Collins first became It was as an addicted to the winter sport. Playing under coach Tom Warren on a local church team in Rock Springs, Collins combined with numerous other black players to make up the main U-ye- ar team. Tom stuck with us, he being white and coaching a bunch of black kids. He helped us and taught us everything he knew. Another unique thing was that be was a policeman, said Collins. More than being a choice, Collins moved into the warm Rock Springs gym out of the cold Wyoming weather in later years, though football and baseball were favorites too. ' C C m a? Memorable Experience games played at Weber State, Collins said the most memorable to him was in last season's championship game in which his parents, Willie and Mary Collins, were able to sit on the front row of Section P and watch their son propel the Wildcats into the NCAA playoffs. Usually theyd sit 32 rows up but they got a front row seat and got to see their son really play, Collins Of all the memorable said. Collins will attempt to graduate from Weber State this fall if some pro team doesnt want his services. About pro ball, Bruce admits he thinks about it occasionally, but claims his mind is centered on his senior and final year at Weber State. It would be a dream come true to someday play in the NBA, said UUl Bruce. Berry Stack With Him Collins moved onto Weber after an impressive high school career at Rock Springs High (Wyoming). He started every game as a freshman, averaging 14.4 points a game and had his career high for a single outing, 39, which is the third best game in Weber State basketball history. His sophomore year was even better, averaging 19 points and over eight rebounds a game, was the MVP of the Big Sky Tournament and was Big Sky Conference. Last season, Collins dropped off shghtly to 16 J and a 6.7 game in scoring and rebounding, but was again named MVP of the postseason tournament and made the Big Sky First Tsam for the second straight year. I was looking initially to play at Wyoming but was tamed off with some thing they'd done to other Post-Seaso- n first-tea- " os hw is sometimes called around Ogden, ostoblished o new coreer scoring record lor Weber State lost weekend in the Dee Events Center. Bruce Collins broke Willie Sojourners scoring mark and con eventually finish os the e rebounder with a good year on the boards. "HI-C- second-all-tim- |