Men's Basketball | 12/17/2020 9:57:51 AM
Shawn Backus returns for his fourth season with the Elmira College men's basketball team in 2020-21. He led the Soaring Eagles in scoring last season, averaging 12.4 points per game, while scoring in double figures 17 times. In 2018-19, Backus recorded career-highs in points per game (13.2), rebounds per game (5.0), free-throw percentage (.875), 3-pointers made (34) and 3-point shooting percentage (.479). He was a two-time Empire 8 Rookie of the Week during the 2017-18 season.
A native of Hamden, CT, Backus, the 2019-20 Empire 8 Booster Club Player of the Year, has appeared in 68 games over his first three seasons with the Soaring Eagles and is averaging 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. A phychology and human services major, Backus is a two-time Empire 8 President's List recipient, who holds a 3.59 cumulative grade-point average.
Shawn Backus - Why I Play
Institution: Elmira College
Sport/Position: Basketball/Forward
Academic Major: Psychology and Human Services
GPA: 3.59
Class Year: Senior
Academic Honors/Clubs/Community Service Roles:
Member of the Eastern Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.
What Have You Done During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Stay Active and What Are Some Positive Effects of the Pandemic You Have Experienced?
During COVID-19, I found a free set of exercise equipment online. I’ve also been running in my neighborhood and have done various home exercises to stay in shape.
What role has Basketball played in your personal development?
Basketball has driven me to work hard and develop better time management habits. It has also helped me mature more through leadership roles, setting good examples for underclassmen and aspiring collegiate athletes.
At what age did you start playing basketball and what made you stay with it? Did you play any other sports growing up?
I started playing basketball for a recreational league when I was seven years old and aspired to play in high school. Throughout my life, I was challenged by other kids who said I wasn’t good enough to play and was eventually cut from my middle school team. It motivated me to work hard and become better than the kids that said I wasn’t good. I didn’t play much in high school either, so I always felt like I had something to prove.
Any Superstitions When It Comes to Pregame Rituals/Training?
I always tie my left shoe before I tie the right shoe.
Why Did You Decide to Attend Elmira?
I attended Elmira because it was the only school that presented the opportunity to play basketball and further my education.
How has Playing Collegiately and in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College? Playing collegiately and in the Empire 8 has prepared me for some of life's obstacles and how to overcome them. Always count on yourself and never give up because the path to success isn’t linear.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College: Some of my favorite memories include the flow of energy within the crowd. It’s almost like a rollercoaster as the energy would shift from high to low.
Favorite Professional Athlete: Russell Westbrook
Favorite Movie: Interstellar
Favorite TV Show: Family Guy
Last TV Show You Binge-Watched: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Favorite Food: Oranges
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: I have seven siblings.
Advice to Younger Student-Athletes on Why You Chose to Play a Collegiate Sport and Why Playing A Sport is So Important/Beneficial?
Collegiate sports are not only a way to better yourself all-round, but a way of networking and creating friendships. You never know who can be at your assistance down the road or who will invite you to their wedding. The connections you make through collegiate sports last a lifetime.
The Empire 8 Conference's “Why I Play” Series features a student-athlete from one of its member institutions who discusses devotion to its respective sport.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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