Jules Schwalger-Smith Links with ISU for a Master's

Jules Schwalger-Smith Links with Indiana State University for a Master’s Degree


Adapted from an article written by Piet Van Hasselt

 

The Canterbury Basketball Association, and the UC Basketball Club (University of Canterbury) proudly congratulates Jules Schwalger-Smith for being accepted into the Graduate Assistantship Scholarship programme at Indiana State University (ISU) in Terre Haute, USA. Jules, 23, will study towards a Master’s degree at Indiana State as well as being a Graduate Assistant Basketball Coach, likely with either ISU, neighbouring Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT), or Saint Mary-Of-The-Woods College (SMWC). He will also be involved teaching an undergraduate class to help towards his scholarship. Last year Jules graduated with a Bachelor of Sport Coaching at the UC and will leave in August for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Jules came on board with UC Basketball club as an assistant to both the Men’s Premier and U23 programmes last year, and played a part in the Premier Men’s team reaching the final for the first time in 15 years. He has also coached Canterbury Junior Development teams, coaches at the Canterbury Basketball Hoops Academy, as well as making a massive impact with the revival of Mairehau High School’s Basketball programme. He dedicated many hours to Mairehau to develop the players on and off the court. Jules attended Hagley Community College for his High School Education.

This year Jules is coaching a group of emerging Canterbury juniors with skill sessions, as well as having a largely expanded role within UC Basketball including coaching during the day sessions and other aspects. He will also help with the burgeoning UC-Christchurch Boys’ High School link which is being developed.

Indiana State has a proud basketball history with alumni including Larry Bird,  as well as Professor Dr. Bob McDavid (inventor of McDavid sport braces), and the late John Wooden beginning his college basketball coaching career there. The ISU Sycamores play out of the 10,200 seat Hulman Centre, and competes in the Missouri Valley conference (NCAA Division I). They are comprised of colleges from the Midwest area, the heart of basketball, and is the second oldest conference being in existence since 1907.

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is also located in Terre Haute and they compete in NCAA Division III. The school has a role of 2,000 and the Fightin’ Engineers compete in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. 

He follows current UC Division One player James Lissaman along with other Cantabrians Tim Bennetts, Pina Lissaman, Matthew Tucker, Warrick Wood and Michelle Kiesanowski down this path at Indiana State, and the original trailblazer to ISU - Caleb Harrison.

UC Men’s Head Coach Piet Van Hasselt says “This couldn’t have happened to a better person. Jules has made a massive impact on the UC programme in just a year and I am looking forward to working with him more to help with the teams’ individual and team development this season. He creates positive and professional relationships with his players and fellow coaches and is well-liked and respected. He will be missed. This is a great opportunity to develop his coaching craft, with the day-in, day-out regular coaching sessions and being exposed to some great coaches in the states.”

All of us here in the Canterbury Basketball Association are proud of Jules’ achievement, and wish him all the best for when he heads over to Indiana later this year




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