The first Best of U. feature of 2009-10 profiles University of New Hampshire men's basketball player Radar Onguetou. A senior forward for the Wildcats, Onguetou was named to the America East All-Academic Team last season, and in his first season back from a knee injury, helped lead UNH to one of the program's best seasons in recent memory. The Wildcats were recently selected to the ESPN BracketBusters pool for the first time ever. As the program rises to new levels on the court, here's a look into Onguetou's life as a student-athlete off the court. The following piece was written by Patrick Villanova and Eric Coplin, UNH Athletic
Media Relations.
Although he may not know what the
future holds, Radar Onguetou (Yaounde, Cameroon/New Hampton School) knows what
lies behind him, in the past. He doesn't deny who he is or feign an identity.
His story is unique, diverse, and Onguetou is willing to share.
The six-foot-five-inch forward
for the University of New Hampshire men's basketball team came to the United
States in 2004 from his native Cameroon. After spending his junior and senior
years of high school at New Hampton Prep in New Hampton, N.H., Onguetou landed
a full-scholarship at UNH - an opportunity he has always valued immensely.
"I come from a country where not
many young people have opportunity. You have a situation that many people where
I'm from dream to have, would even kill to have," Onguetou said. "This
experience that I've made here makes me want to succeed, not only for myself,
but succeed for the young people who are just like me back home."
Onguetou, who graduated in May
with a degree in political science and minors in French, race, culture and
power, and anthropology after only three years, is currently pursuing a
Master's in public administration at UNH, while also playing basketball. But
the dynamic Onguetou is just as likely to discuss the affects that
globalization and modernization have on Third World countries as he is to talk
about the ins and outs of the game of basketball.
"As a coach, the impressive thing
about Radar is it's not just about basketball," said Bill Herrion, who will
begin his fifth season as head coach of the men's basketball team next month.
"He is a young man that has really maximized the entire college experience
academically, athletically and socially. Very rarely do you meet a young man
that truly knows what he wants to do with his life and his future. Radar
definitely knows what he wants to do and that is what makes him unique."
Onguetou feels a strong
obligation to give back to his country and countries like it. He dreams of
working for an organization that provides children in impoverished countries
with the same type of opportunity to succeed that he received.
"I feel like there are more young
people like me who are really talented, but they don't have the same
opportunity because my country is really poor," he explained. "They don't even
have the chance to prove that they can achieve something in their life."
Onguetou is among numerous
Cameroonians who have been brought to the United States for the chance to play
basketball and get an education. Onguetou's cousin, Alfred Aboya, played for
UCLA from 2005-08 and is currently pursuing his Master's. Onguetou mentioned
Luc Mbah a Moute, current Milwaukee Buck and former UCLA Bruin, as another
prominent Cameroonian who has found opportunity and success in the United
States.
"We all know what it's like to
come from a poor environment. Most of us who come here from countries of the
Third World, we're not complaining a lot because we know that when we look
back, there's worse," he said. "We all have a strong sense of community."
Onguetou explained the extensive
problems that plague his country, including corruption, unemployment and lack
of opportunity, which he says all lead to juvenile delinquency.
"Someone who is a smart person,
good sports player, ends up in the wrong (situation), because he didn't have
the opportunity to do something good with his life."
Known for his physicality and
tough rebounding on the court, away from basketball Onguetou is known for his
involvement in various activities and groups around campus, most notably the
Black Student Union.
"My identity is a basketball
player. I spend most of my time on the basketball court. I am here for two
reasons and I never lose sight of these reasons: I am here to get my degree and
I am here to play basketball," he said. "Now when I have time, as much as
possible, I'm trying to be involved in other activities, which I feel can be
productive.
"I come from a different
background that gave me a different perspective and I would like to share this
perspective with other fellow black students," he said.
Although black students tend to
comprise the majority of the BSU, Onguetou stresses that that the organization
is a diverse group that welcomes all students. The BSU has also provided a
support system of sorts for Onguetou, as he continues to adapt to life in the
United States.
"I come from a country where I
was (in) the majority. I discovered that I was black when I moved to New
Hampshire because I realized that it does matter. You stand out," he said. "I'm
aware that every time I walk somewhere, people are more likely to notice me
because the color of my skin. I don't say that it's racism, but it's something
that I've learned to be aware of."
But Onguetou has never shied away
from the spotlight. Last January, he introduced Provost and Executive Vice
President Bruce Mallory at a University-sponsored Martin Luther King Jr.
celebratory event. Last fall, he even sang the National Anthem before a
volleyball game at the Holly Young Invitational.
In addition to the BSU, Onguetou
is also involved in the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. "It's pretty
interesting. I assist in the meetings and I've learned a lot about what they
plan to do to improve the community life."
Onguetou was drawn to SAAC
because he strongly believes that athletes have an obligation to be role models
for their communities. "We don't represent ourselves. We represent the
University, we represent the program. I think SAAC is really strong in
emphasizing this type of commitment we should have as athletes."
Cathy Coakley, who heads up SAAC
as the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development, thinks Radar is a fine
representative of the University. "Radar is a great ambassador for the athletic
department in terms of his presence on campus," Coakley said. "When I walk
through campus he is always surrounded by people, or when he goes to eat at the
MUB (Memorial Union Building) he is always sitting and talking with people, and
not necessarily just his teammates."
With a full plate, Onguetou must
prioritize and manage his time well to fit everything in. If something must get
left out, however, Onguetou finds someone to take his place - even if it is a
teammate.
"Radar really epitomizes the term
'student-athlete,'" Coakley said. "He's not just an athlete, he is very
involved with things that go on here on campus. And if there is something he
can't make it to, Radar doesn't shirk his responsibilities. He does a good job
communicating and getting his teammates involved."
Those teammates hold Onguetou in
high regard.
"He's the kind of person everyone
needs to encounter in their lifetime - a great person, friend, and role model,"
former teammate and co-captain Tyrece Gibbs stated. "He'll tell you when you
are wrong and be the first person in your corner when you need it."
While he has not been back to his
hometown of Yaounde, or seen his family in nearly six years, Onguetou keeps
everything in perspective and keeps those in mind who will never get an
opportunity like he has. "Sometimes people ask me, 'Man, it might be a bit
tough for you to be away from home?' Yeah, it's tough, but when I look (back)
there are tougher situations," he said. "That's the motivation to work as hard
as possible to reach my objective, so I cannot be in the situation that many
people are in where I'm coming from."
Onguetou had originally planned
on not participating in the commencement ceremony in May because his parents
would not be present to see their son.
Upon telling his family that he would not walk at graduation, Onguetou's
father implored that he must, even if they will not be there to witness it.
"Everything that I did (at UNH),
I didn't do for myself - I did for my parents. Not having my parents at
graduation makes everything that I've done not seem as important," he said.
"It's not that I neglect what I've done, it just would have had a different
meaning if my parents were here."
The distance between Onguetou and
both his family and homeland, however, is not the only thing that weighs heavy
on his heart. Last summer, his best friend, Menghe, who came with him from
Cameroon to play basketball at New Hampton, collapsed and died while playing in
a pickup game at Adelphi University.
"We have pretty much the same
background. We came here for the same reason," he said. "It was a really
painful thing. Since then I told myself I will be carrying the load for both of
us."
Onguetou was named to the
five-member America East All-Academic Team last season, although he said he
doesn't need to be recognized for his academic success - for he has larger
aspirations.
"It's not because I succeed that
I'm going to be proud," Onguetou said. "Yes, I'm going to be proud, but what I
can do for the young people who are like me. My main goal is to focus on the youth,
provide opportunity for some to come study here, and give back to the community
where I come from."
America East: Developing Champions in Academics, Athletics and Leadership