Less than a month ago, Tyler Goslinga’s high school athletic career closed in the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships, but Friday Goslinga took the first steps in a new career when he accepted a scholarship to play basketball for the Fresno Pacific University Sunbirds.
Goslinga, a two-year standout for the Ripon Christian Knights, committed to join the Sunbirds’ basketball program on an athletic/scholastic scholarship that will fund the majority of the financial requirements that will be required of The Bulletin’s 2010 All-Area Boys Basketball MVP.
Goslinga’s choice was not solely based on the fact that the Sunbirds have made back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Tournament the past two seasons, but FPU also gives Goslinga what he needs in pursuit of a degree in pre-physical therapy.
“At Fresno the two went together very well,” Goslinga said of the athletics-academics combination. “I know I have to manage my time with basketball, and academics you always have to work hard. I am getting as much money as I am for my grades as I am for athletics, so both of them are factors.”
Goslinga led Ripon Christian through a lengthy playoff run, earning Co-Most Outstanding Player of the Year honors in the Trans Valley League. Goslinga averaged 20.4 points per game and pulled down 11 rebounds. As impressive as his senior campaign ended up being, Goslinga will have to prove himself all over again to a new group of teammates.
“You’re back at the bottom of the totem pole again,” Goslinga said. “It’s like the other players are all more developed then you are, just like when you’re a freshman and all of the seniors in high school are more developed than you are.
“It’s going to be a good ride; I’m really looking forward to developing more through the coaches and other players.”
Goslinga will be playing under Fresno Pacific head coach Jim Saia. Saia was named the Sunbirds’ head coach in April 2007 and has accumulated a great deal of success in his brief tenure. Saia’s record at Fresno is 70-29, and he has led the Sunbirds to two of the three national tournament berths in school history.
Goslinga’s decision to attend Fresno Pacific was assisted by his initial dealings with Saia. Assistant coach Chris Wright handled most of the recruiting, but Saia’s impact was felt from the first time Goslinga was in one of his practices.
“I met with coach (Saia) a couple of times and he was just a very passionate guy,” Goslilnga said. “He showed a genuine love for the game when he talked to us, and when I went and saw them play he was very outspoken making sure his players knew what he wanted.
“He told us if you do what he wants and work hard in practice that there will be nothing for him to complain about.”
Goslinga, a two-year standout for the Ripon Christian Knights, committed to join the Sunbirds’ basketball program on an athletic/scholastic scholarship that will fund the majority of the financial requirements that will be required of The Bulletin’s 2010 All-Area Boys Basketball MVP.
Goslinga’s choice was not solely based on the fact that the Sunbirds have made back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Tournament the past two seasons, but FPU also gives Goslinga what he needs in pursuit of a degree in pre-physical therapy.
“At Fresno the two went together very well,” Goslinga said of the athletics-academics combination. “I know I have to manage my time with basketball, and academics you always have to work hard. I am getting as much money as I am for my grades as I am for athletics, so both of them are factors.”
Goslinga led Ripon Christian through a lengthy playoff run, earning Co-Most Outstanding Player of the Year honors in the Trans Valley League. Goslinga averaged 20.4 points per game and pulled down 11 rebounds. As impressive as his senior campaign ended up being, Goslinga will have to prove himself all over again to a new group of teammates.
“You’re back at the bottom of the totem pole again,” Goslinga said. “It’s like the other players are all more developed then you are, just like when you’re a freshman and all of the seniors in high school are more developed than you are.
“It’s going to be a good ride; I’m really looking forward to developing more through the coaches and other players.”
Goslinga will be playing under Fresno Pacific head coach Jim Saia. Saia was named the Sunbirds’ head coach in April 2007 and has accumulated a great deal of success in his brief tenure. Saia’s record at Fresno is 70-29, and he has led the Sunbirds to two of the three national tournament berths in school history.
Goslinga’s decision to attend Fresno Pacific was assisted by his initial dealings with Saia. Assistant coach Chris Wright handled most of the recruiting, but Saia’s impact was felt from the first time Goslinga was in one of his practices.
“I met with coach (Saia) a couple of times and he was just a very passionate guy,” Goslilnga said. “He showed a genuine love for the game when he talked to us, and when I went and saw them play he was very outspoken making sure his players knew what he wanted.
“He told us if you do what he wants and work hard in practice that there will be nothing for him to complain about.”
