Men's Basketball | January 20, 2023

The answer to the question of why people play sports varies among athletes. Some people play so they can fulfill a narrative that has been built up by the people around them. Others play because it brings them money or opportunities they may otherwise have never seen. Melvin Archie finds that his motivation to play basketball derives from his love of the game. 
 
Archie has played basketball for the majority of his life. When he came to college, He knew that he wanted to be around the sport one way or another. Upon arriving at USC Aiken during his freshman year, Archie met with the head basketball coach, Mark Vanderslice, asking for an opportunity to try out for the team. 
 
"When I first got here, I approached Coach V saying that I wanted to be on the team, but he told me that they didn't really have tryouts. That was upsetting to me because I realized I wasn't going to play college basketball," said Archie. "Later, he told me there was a Student Assistant role open and I took that. I still wanted to be a part of basketball and that's where it all started."
 
Archie worked as a student assistant his entire freshman year and the first half of his sophomore year. With aspirations to someday become a coach of his own, he saw this as an opportunity to immerse himself in the coaching role he would one day assume. 
 
"I've always had a love for basketball. I knew that if I wasn't playing now, in the future I wanted to be a coach. I saw this as a way to get the experience while I was in college," Archie said. 
 
The role of a Student Assistant consisted of tasks such as preparing the court for practices or making sure the clocks and drills run smoothly. Archie was able to take this opportunity to study basketball through the lens of a coach as opposed to a player, which was something he had never been able to do before.  
 
During this period, Archie spent the majority of his time practicing on his own, preparing as though he was competing along with the team. He played games outside of the court with his teammates which helped him stay involved in the sport from a player's perspective. 
 
"I was always working on my craft. Even though I stopped playing competition, I always worked on my game," Archie said. "I always thought about if I was playing college basketball, this or that move is what I would be doing. I was always working on different moves," said Archie.
 
In the middle of the season his sophomore year, Archie was granted an opportunity to make an intangible dream of the past become a glistening reality.  
 
Archie said, "I was in the gym working out and Coach V came up to me. He called me into his office and said, 'A spot opened up. Do you want to take it?' I told him yes. I wanted it. I did some paperwork and then the next day, I was able to practice with the team."
 
An aspiration that had been so prevalent in Archie's life for years was happening all at once. With emotions high, he found his situation hard to believe at times. 
 
"I was in shock. It was something I couldn't believe. It was like a dream come true. Playing college basketball was something I've always dreamed of since the 7th grade," Archie said. "Still to this day, I walk into practice and I can't believe it. Basketball is my dream."
 
Being a student assistant before competing proved to give Archie an upper hand that has been helpful to him in competition. Now understanding the game from a coaching point of view, he is able to think on the court in a way in which he can see the small details that were unbeknownst to him before. 
 
Archie said, "It gave me the opportunity to see basketball from a different side. I was actually seeing the plays unfold, breaking down the film. I was able to see what to look for in a team. Now when I am playing, I'm able to see it from a player's point of view while also looking at it from a coach's perspective. I pick up on the small things and I am able to tell my teammates."
 
Transitioning between two contrasting roles has been a challenge for Archie. Not only has the mental game changed, but the physical toll has been a shock to his body. 
 
"It was a big transition for me. This is my first full season and you feel the change in your body. When I was a student assistant I would just come to practice and sit. Now I have to run and do everything basketball-wise I wasn't before. It was a big transition but it was something I was ready and prepared for," said Archie. 
 
An influx of unwavering support has come his way as he has embraced his new role as a player. Not only have his teammates been behind him since the beginning, but the student section at each game has been nothing short of vocal about their adoration for Archie. 
 
Due to Archie's personable and outgoing disposition, many people around the university have grown fond of him. After Archie earned his role on the team, the students aimed to show their support for him the best way they could. The crowd has been found chanting the phrase, "We want Melvin!" repeatedly until he enters the game. Once he is on the court, the energy only continues to rise.
 
"Seeing it was wild. Usually, you only see that reaction at big schools. All I heard was the crowd chanting, 'We want Melvin!", and I thought, 'Are they talking about me?'" said Archie. "When I think about it today, it still doesn't feel real. If it happens this season, it will still be hard to believe." 
 
Going into this season, Archie's goal is to bring more animation to the team. Energy is something this team has always had, but he aims to set it to the next level and put them above their competition. 
 
Archie said, "My goal is to bring the aspect of life to the team. We already have a lot of life, a lot of energy, but I want to help set it above the bar. I want us all to be energetic no matter what and always be on the go. I want to keep the team positive and make sure we're great." 
 
Not only has Archie been a great asset to his team, but to his community as well. He works with a program called Call Me Mister where he helps young kids unite and expand their educational knowledge. Doing this is not only inspiring the children of his community but preparing him for his future career. 
 
"I help out with different events that help bring children together and expand their knowledge with education. I help teachers plan lessons and mentor students as they are going through the early grades in school," Archie said. "This will help me in my future career because it is preparing me to become a teacher before I actually get into the field."
 
Archie feels a responsibility to offer the children in his area an image of success to show them they are capable of following their dreams just as he did. 
 
"This is special to me because I enjoy teaching and mentoring young kids in the community and reaching out to them showing them that I came from the same community and if I can do it you can too," said Archie.