While attending high school at Exeter-West Greenwich (RI), I did not anticipate that I would be involved in collegiate athletics. I told my high school coach that I planned to attend the University of Rhode Island and just concentrate on school.

Following my basketball team’s state championship victory, of which I was named MVP, I realized I did not want my playing days to end. My coach Joe May introduced me to Head Coach Vin Cullen at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), where I went on to play basketball for two successful seasons. Following my completion of two years at CCRI, I was recruited by Rhode Island College to play basketball.

My first year playing at RIC [2000-01] was not very successful. Our team won very few games and there never seemed to be an enjoyable atmosphere. With my first year of RIC basketball behind me and the future of the program up in the air, I decided that I wanted to play soccer. I had played soccer in high school but hadn’t kicked a ball in the three years since then. I wasn’t sure how much I could even help the team but I figured I’d give it a shot. The soccer season was successful. The team hosted its first home playoff game in school history. I was able to contribute to the team throughout the season. We were successful and we were very close as a team.

At the end of the soccer season it was time to turn my attention to basketball again. I was already three weeks behind the rest of the team, so I had to get focused right away so I would not fall too far behind. Along with this season’s new coaching staff came an entirely new system to learn. Despite that, my transition from soccer to basketball has not been that difficult. I was already in shape from the soccer season, and the players and coaches have been very helpful in teaching me the new system. The differences between last season and this season can already be seen. The atmosphere is more enjoyable and the team’s work ethic is much more intense. The knowledge and enthusiasm brought in by the new coaching staff and the new sense of determination and focus on the team will make for an interesting season. It is likely that RIC will be the toughest and most physical team on everybody’s schedule this year, and who knows, we may even surprise some people along the way.

Throughout my life I have always had fun playing sports and have developed some very strong friendships. During the recently completed soccer season, I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent on the field as well as the close friendships I formed off the field. Now I am turning my attention to the basketball court, where I will reestablish old friendships while developing new ones.

Scott Main is a senior forward on the men’s basketball team. He was recently named Second Team All-Little East Conference in men’s soccer after leading the team in scoring with eight goals and three assists for 19 points in 20 games. The Anchormen basketball team opens the season at the Hartwick Holiday Classic on Nov. 16 and 17.