Ross Bartlett is not an oppressive force on the court. He glides through the game, doesn’t over-power it. He plays the game like he walks through life – with desire, direction and determination. He rarely misses a defender, or a rebound.
That’s why when the 23-year old, fifth-year senior for the Pacific Boxers returned to play in his final year, he surpassed the mark for most career rebounds – passing Dan French’s 688 from ’51-’54. He broke the record, in winning fashion, against George Fox on the 26 of January.
Bartlett lives with a purpose. He sets goals, then achieves them. There is no beating around the bush or side-stepping. When the 6-foot-6 Psychology graduate student shakes your hand, it’s on time. He’s as scheduled as a sunrise. Unless traffic is involved.
“I was in traffic today [on my way to Pacific] for an hour and 20 minutes,” he said with a smile.
A smile? Most people hate spending 15 minutes in traffic. But Bartlett uses it as his time to escape. Zone out. He listens to rock and roll. For 45-minutes, each way, in his “beat-up and old” Honda Civic driving to Forest Grove from Wilsonville where he lives with his girlfriend, Amanda, Ross Bartlett gets his me time – which is good because there isn’t much time left for him otherwise.
“I like to think I have a pretty good ability to step back from a situation and look at he big picture. It is hectic and chaotic, but when else in my life am I going to be able to have these experiences? I see that as an opportunity.”
“And I must really, really enjoy school because I’m paying a lot of money [to do] this.”
“This” includes juggling school in Hillsboro, practice in Forest Grove and time with Amanda in Wilsonville. And then there is that crazy thing called sleep.
“Surprisingly, I seem to get quite a bit of sleep,” Bartlett said. “If I was a disorganized person, I don’t know what I would do. But, because I’ve played sports and done school my whole life, this is just second nature.”
Second nature, sort of like playing ball with your brother. Bartlett recognized that few student-athletes get to compete with their siblings. The two only played together in high school for one season and before this year had only suited up in six collegiate games together. Playing together was something he has wanted to do since Carson was a freshman. But, due to injuries, before this season, had only played in six games together.
That was one of the main reasons he wanted to return. Sure, he said, breaking the record would be great but Bartlett wanted to play with Carson.
Bartlett had his doubts, though. Beginning graduate school offered new scholastic challenges and two knee injuries in the past four years – one on each knee, his right ACL and, in 2008, his left meniscus – didn’t make playing any easier.
“Ross is a self-motivated player and a better student than I ever was,” head coach Jason Lowery said. “I had no question that he could do both graduate school and basketball very well.”
Bartlett grabbed for wisdom like a ball off the rim. He consulted his coaches and his parents on his decision to return.
“I spoke to everyone that was older and wiser than me,” Bartlett said. “My dad was the main person. I trust him, always have. He told me, ‘I know right now, it may seem like the best decision [to finish], but you will regret it, trust me.’”
And Bartlett did.
“I knew a week or two before [Carson’s] birthday that I was going to come back and play,” he said. “So I had to not tell him for a while. It was actually his birthday. I got him a birthday card and it said. ‘happy birthday, your 20, congrats’ and at the bottom it read, ‘I look forward to this season with you.’ From the look on his face I could tell it was the best present I could give.”
The continuing rehabilitation on both knees went smoothly and he says now he plays the game like it never even happened. A Psychologist in training, Bartlett knows that overcoming injuries is more mentally tough that physically. But says he can give 100-percent every night. “its up to me, not my body limiting me.” So, on the night he broke the record, he was boxing out the opposition with authority and jumping for rebounds with reckless abandon. Paying no attention to his knees.
“There are several reasons I’m really happy I decided to come back this year,” Bartlett said. “[Playing with my brother] and [setting the record] are at the top of my list.”
Lowery was confident in Bartlett’s abilities all along.
“I knew [he could break the record],” Lowery said. “He was undecided [on whether to return] going into graduate school and I told if he came he’d have a chance. ”
Said Bartlett: “It’s nice to have something that represents a culmination of efforts from my career. As a freshman, I never set out to break the record. But this year I realized I could do it so it was one of my personal goals this season.”
As the season winds down, the Bartlett brothers only have four more games to play together – including their final home game February 12 against Linfield. Ross knows this is the end, for him. Last year, even though he participated in Senior Night, he knew there was a chance that he may return.
“This year my eligibility is up so there is no chance of me to play again. The way I look at it, this day was inevitable. I cant play forever. Its a phase of life to me. This one aspect will end, and I wish I could play some more, but I also look at it as I cant start something new. It is an interesting feeling. It’s hard to describe.”
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