University Wire, January 27, 2006, Friday

Copyright 2006 Columbia Daily Spectator via U-Wire
University Wire

January 27, 2006 Friday

HEADLINE: Columbia's Collins thrives off family, faith

BYLINE: By Jonathan August, Columbia Daily Spectator; SOURCE: Columbia U.

DATELINE: NEW YORK

BODY:
In his senior season, on a young team with little chance at Ivy contention, Cornell swingman Lenny Collins is quick to acknowledge his role as a leader-not by his statistical merits, but rather through his ability as a teacher.
"I think that one thing I can help this team with is my experience," Collins said. "I played all four years and with younger guys who have been thrust into new roles, like Adam Gore, I think I can really help show them what it takes to be successful."
When it comes to attributing where he learned these skills, Collins points to his family and faith.
Collins' family has not only been the backbone of his athletic upbringing, but they have also played a key role in his lifestyle as a devout Christian. Even after a weekend of tough athletic play, Collins makes it a priority to go to church on Sunday and continue his religious practices.
"The biggest piece of advice my dad gave me is to put our faith in God through the ups and downs of a semester," Collins said. "My parents have been good examples of Godly people to us and one of the things I respect most about them is that they have raised Christian men and women."
Collins attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School in California before making the move to Ithaca, N.Y. Before had always experienced sports as a family affair. In addition to his father who was a basketball player at Seattle University, Collins has two younger brothers who are college athletes in Washington and an uncle who considered an athletic scholarship to Oklahoma State.
"It's definitely a good thing growing up to have two younger brothers close to my age," Collins said. "We would have battles that go on in the backyard almost every night that just helped develop my game and toughness."
This kind of upbringing has lead Collins to adopt a solid work ethic, which has translated into many kinds of success. While leading the Big Red in points and assists as a junior last season en route to making first-team All-Ivy honors, Collins was also named to the ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District team.
Collins has been the most prominent offensive player for the Big Red this season as he leads the team in points, minutes, and assists. This year, Collins has been able to reconfigure his game from purely a perimeter player to one who drives the lane and helps get others involved.
Off the basketball court, Collins also has high expectations. Currently enrolled in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell and after graduation this May, Collins plans to attend law school.
"On and off the court he is a tremendous role model," head coach Steve Donahue said. "Whether it is in his church or in the Industrial and Labor Relations School, everybody in the Cornell community respects Lenny Collins for the type of person that he is, and obviously that rubs off on his teammates and as the leader that he is on the court."
(C) 2006 Columbia Daily Spectator via U-WIRE