Chad Evans Works To Balance Academics, Athletics and Marriage

Coach Morrill isn't the only coach in Chad Evans' life this season. Terri Evans, Chad's wife, has been a "coach" with a higher mission - providing support through a long basketball season.

Evans, a junior, is the only Aggie on this year's squad receiving extra coaching at home, as he is the only married Aggie on this year's team.

"Coming into the season I was looking forward to having another member on the team who was actually married," said Evans. "Then Kevin Williams left the team and I'm flyin' solo again."

When adding a spouse to the already daunting task of juggling school and basketball many might feel this would be to much. Not for Evans, who says despite his full load, marriage has brought structure into his life.

"I played one year not being married and this will now be my second year playing while married. I can honestly say it's been easier for me to play basketball and to get my priorities in order. Married life has grounded me. I now have a different perspective on everything," he said.

Terri found her lack of basketball knowledge frustrating at first, but has found her role in helping Chad cope with the day-to-day stresses that come with being a Division I student-athlete.

"I never was a basketball fan. Now that I'm married to Chad I've been thrown into the fire," said Terri. "I felt guilty because I didn't know enough about basketball to give him productive advice when he asked for it. All I could usually tell him was, 'You're doing a great job, keep it up.'"

As Terri's basketball knowledge has grown, her ability to provide Chad with constructive criticism has also grown.

"She does critique me a little bit now, but the best thing about having my wife around is that she is someone I can share everything with," said Chad. "Yeah, you can talk to the guys on your team, but it's not the same way you can talk to your wife."

Chad's new perspective on life has helped him adjust to his new role on the court this year. Last year he started the first 17 games of the season and played in all 31 games. This year, with increased team depth, he has been a key element off the bench for the Aggies.

"My role this year, as it has been in the past, is to be a good rebounder. That's what the coaches expect of me. They want me to go in and get some rebounds, some put-backs, and if there is an open shot, to take it," said Evans. "They want me to play within the offense, and be a team player. That means if there is an open shot they expect me to take it and not pass it up. I see my role as being able to accomplish anything that needs to be done while I'm on the court."

Coach Morrill and his staff understand the importance of Chad's role in the team's success.

"Chad is the ultimate team player. He is what Utah State basketball is all about. He comes to work everyday, plays every possession, and is everything you could want in a player," said assistant coach Don Verlin. "We expect Chad to bring two things to the table this year-defense and rebounding."

In the Aggies' most recent game against Utah, Evans contributed just what the coaches were looking for. In 13 minutes of play, added stellar defense against a bigger Utah team, and pulled down three key rebounds down the stretch to lead the Aggies to a 59-54 victory.

Chad, a native of Ogden, Utah, originally signed with Loyola Marymount out of high school before going on an LDS Church mission to Argentina. Upon his return he felt like he needed to reconsider his options.

"When I got home from my mission I had different priorities than when I left. Big-city Los Angeles no longer sounded so fun, and Utah State's coach at the time, Larry Eustachy, had recruited me out of high school," said Evans. "Utah State, and now Coach Morrill were just a good fit for me."

With all the teachers, coaches, and now his wife, Chad is busy impressing. It seems he has not lost focus, and has placed his priorities on the things that matter most.

"Chad does an excellent job as a husband, and that's the most important thing," said Terri. "He not only puts tons of time into basketball but he also finds time to get A's in school, attend to his church duties and juggle a family. He stays grounded and gives those responsibilites that matter most the most attention."

It seems that Chad has found the key to his happiness both on and off the court - A happy wife.

By Todd P. Johnson, Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant