Harrelson proud to represent WBU in pro basketball ranks

(NOTE: The 21^st class of the Wayland Baptist University Athletics Hall of Honor features Emmitt Tipton, Rowena Welford Morton, Christie Shippy, Ty Harrelson and Kristee Turpin Phelps. Induction ceremonies will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the lobby of Laney Center.)
 
As the son of a coach, basketball has been a part of Ty Harrelson's life for as long as he can remember. Harrelson spent countless hours fine-tuning his game, working to become the best player that he could. That hard work has paid off countless times through the years as today Harrelson is a successful professional basketball player and coach as well as an ambassador for Wayland wherever he goes.
 
After coaching the women's basketball team at West Virginia University from 1986-1995, Harrelson's father, Scott, decided to move his family to Sonora, Texas, so that he could once again coach boys basketball. Meanwhile, Ty, upon entering his freshman year of high school, jotted down a goal that he wanted to make his dad's varsity squad.
 
"My dad said there was no way," Harrelson recalls. "But I could handle the basketball, and when the seniors saw me play they backed me to be on the varsity team."
 
The decision to put Ty on the varsity proved to be a good one as he began putting together a tremendous high school career. Harrelson, who played his senior season at Wichita Falls Rider High School, earned all-state honors and ended his career 18^th in all-time scoring in Texas with 2,786 points. He currently is 27^th on the list.
 
After his extremely successful high school career, Harrelson's basketball promise slowed a bit…then he found Wayland Baptist University.
 
Deemed too weak and too slow by some major universities, Harrelson went to Collin County Community College in Plano before transferring to Cameron University in Lawton, Okla., for his sophomore season. Still struggling at the college ranks, Harrelson visited Jim Sigona, his coach at Collin, who introduced him to then Wayland head men's basketball coach Todd Thurman.
 
After a weekend visit, Thurman signed Harrelson, and almost immediately things started improving for the future star of the Pioneer basketball squad.
 
"When I came to Wayland I regained my passion for basketball," Harrelson said. "Coach Thurman played a huge part in that because I felt like he genuinely cared about me as a person, not just another athlete."
 
With this newfound passion, Harrelson helped lead the Pioneers to their first NAIA Tournament appearance in 10 years and their first 20-win season in nine years, and Harrelson was named third team All-Sooner Athletic Conference.
 
It was during his senior season when Harrelson really hit his stride, leading the Pioneers to a 22-9 record and to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament. Harrelson set school records for free throw percentage in a season (88.8%), most assists in a game (15) and best assist average per game (6.8). At the end of the 2002-03 season, Harrelson became Wayland's very first first-team all-American.
 
During his two-year run at Wayland, Harrelson and the Pioneers always gave fans something to cheer about as they rarely lost on their home court in Hutcherson Center. Harrelson credits that success to a great fan base that helped provide motivation to him and his teammates.
 
"The basketball players supported volleyball, baseball, women's basketball, and everything else we could during our free time," Harrelson explained. "In return we had a solid student section, including a lot of support from the baseball team at most home games. The pep band was going and we were winning games.  We didn't want to let teams come into 'The Hutch' and beat us." 
 
Harrelson is thankful for what Wayland gave him athletically, but perhaps more importantly to him than that is what Wayland offered him academically.
 
"Wayland helped me graduate on time after transferring twice. I worked hard in summer school, but found the administration and educators pivotal in my graduate and post-graduate endeavors. I often think back on those times with great gratitude that I finished at WBU."
 
Upon graduation, Harrelson had an opportunity that he never thought possible – play basketball professionally. After bouncing around Italy and Mexico and playing for the ABA's Fresno Heat Wave in California, Harrelson took a leap of faith and went to Germany for a tryout.
 
With $60 to his name, Harrelson bought a $48 train ticket from Munich to Frankfurt to try out for TV Langen. Upon his arrival, Harrelson ate an $8 meal and went out for his last chance at a professional contract.
 
"I had no money left, and if I didn't play well I would have been back in the states working," Harrelson said.
 
Harrelson's boldness paid off as he was offered his first full-year contract in 2005. He has "made a decent living playing basketball ever since."
 
Harrelson said his college coach at Wayland provided him with the necessary advice and encouragement to put himself in a position to become as successful as he has.
 
"Coach Thurman gave me great advice to embrace the culture of the countries I have played in, and that is what I have tried to do since," he explained. "Embracing the culture has given me a special bond with the local fans, and this is a large reason for my success. I always knew I could play at a high level, but my success has been through being a leader and team player."
 
Just as he did at Wayland, Harrelson had an immediate impact on his new German team, taking them from 15^th place to fifth in his rookie season, averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds a game. Harrelson played the next two seasons for BBC Bayreuth in Germany, and in his debut season was named to the All-Imports First Team and selected FIBA EuroBasket Guard of the Year. In 2008, Harrelson played with two teams in Finland and Hungary before returning to Germany in 2009 to play with the Giro-Live Ballers Osnabrück.
 
In 2010, Harrelson made a move to Western Australia where he played for the Cockburn Cougars in the State Basketball League. An instant hit in the SBL, Harrelson once again turned around a cellar-dweller, improving his team from eight wins to 20 and making the all-star team. At the conclusion of his first season in Australia in 2011, Harrelson was named SBL Point Guard of the Year after averaging 22 points and 6.0 assists a game.
 
Harrelson then signed with the Goldfields Giants as both a player and assistant coach before last year signing with his current team, the Southwest Slammers, as a player and the head coach. After going 4-76 the past three years combined, the Slammers knew just who they needed to help turn their organization around.
 
"It was a big risk to leave a club with long-term success, but I thought it was the right move for me personally," Harrelson said. "The club is located on the beach in a beautiful part of the world; I drive by the beach almost every day and enjoy the great weather. We just clinched our first playoff berth in over 12 years and have a 15-11 record."
 
As he has time and time again, Harrelson made something out of nothing. Harrelson not only brought the Slammers out of the cellar with his leadership, but with his play. Harrelson averaged close to a triple-double this season with 18 points, 9 assists and 8.5 rebounds a game. 
 
Having found his niche in Australia, Harrelson is "focused on being a successful player-coach and setting short-term goals." He says he "has no desire to play anywhere else and will (eventually) retire from playing basketball in Australia."
 
Because basketball is so strongly instilled in his blood, Harrelson admits that coaching has a strong appeal to him and he can see himself doing that on the collegiate or professional level some day.
 
As for now, Harrelson fondly reflects on the honor of being inducted in to Wayland's Athletics Hall of Honor.
 
"I always carry a great sense of pride that I played at WBU," he said. "Every time I go on the court I think about being a Pioneer and hope that I am representing the university in a positive way. It gives me great joy to hear 'Wayland Baptist' announced at games in Italy, Germany, Finland, Hungary and Australia, among other countries, when I am introduced."
 
Despite the many hours of hard work and persistence that has led to his personal success, Harrelson is quick to credit others for his many accomplishments, including his mother, Evie; sister, Kelly, and her family; and his extended family. He also credits his former Wayland teammate and current WBU men's basketball head coach, Matt Garnett, "for inspiring me to get stronger and showing great work ethic." Harrelson also thanked "my many teammates at WBU who made my experience fun." Finally, Harrelson extended a special thankful to his father for passing on his knowledge of the game.