Joey Bass
Wildcats Forever: Joey Bass
6/24/2011 10:00:03 AM | Men's Soccer
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With 10 seasons in the history books for Davidson men's soccer head coach Matt Spear, DavidsonWildcats.com got in touch with a senior from each of his 10 teams to discuss their memories of Davidson and see where they are now.
Starting with 2001 and concluding with 2010, DavidsonWildcats.com will post a Q & A with an alumnus every Friday. This week's feature is Joey Bass.
Joey Bass (2001-2004), a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter on Davidson's stingy backline, was a team tri-captain and named to the Southern Conference All-Tournament team in his senior year. He was a valuable part of the 'Cats 2003 SoCon Championship team that earned a single-season record 10 shutouts. Bass excelled in classroom as well, earning NSCAA Scholar All-Region honors.
Q: Why and how did you choose Davidson?
A: Davidson had a different feel from any other school I visited. I could sense the team's camaraderie from the moment I stepped on campus. The relationships between the guys on the team was unmatched by any other program I had experienced during my search. From an academic standpoint, the small classroom size and challenging curriculum were appealing. Additionally, the alumni network and reputation of graduates in the professional community was top-notch. Finally, I was sold by the beautiful campus, the strength of the honor code, and the school's commitment to developing successful leaders.
Q: How thrilling was it to win the SoCon Championship and go to the NCAA tournament in 2003?
A: The 2003 season, which culminated in a SoCon Championship Title (Regular Season and Conference) and NCAA Tournament berth, was magical. That fall was one of the true highlights of my life. Perhaps the best part was winning alongside guys that-- to this day-- I consider my best friends. It was great to have all of our hard work validated by the championship run.
Q: What were some of your favorite memories from your Davidson Soccer days?
A: Aside from winning the SoCon and going to the NCAA tourney, two memories always come to mind. The first is beating UNC in Chapel Hill the year after the Heels one the National Championship. The second moment is an individual one: my game-winning sudden death overtime goal from 25 yards out against conference foe Furman. As a defender, such moments were rare indeed. Thanks Tom Lavan for the assist.
Q: What were your favorite memories off the field?
A: My favorite memories off the field were any moments spent with my teammates. I will always cherish the relationships that I built with those guys. Particularly enjoyable were our annual pre-season trips to Cocoa Beach and Wilmington, N.C. One highlight of the pre-season trips was the Freshmen Skits.
Q: You played for Coach Spear during his first four years at the helm, did he change at all from his first season?
A: I would have to say that he did not change during that time to any significant degree, and I say that as the highest praise, because when Coach Spear took the job, he was well-prepared and well-suited to lead the program.
Q: What was your major and how did the academic and athletic experience help you moving forward?
A: I majored in history at Davidson. The academic and athletic experience at Davidson has proved invaluable since graduation. Perhaps most helpful were the time management skills that I acquired as a student-athlete at Davidson, a school where athletes are not given any sort of special treatment. I take pride in the fact that student-athletes at Davidson routinely out-perform the general student population.
Q: Where are you now, and what are you doing now?
A: I am currently living in Greensboro, N.C. I am an attorney with the Law Offices of Adams and Winfree, a small practice with a focus on civil litigation.
Q: What are some tips you would have for current recruits considering Davidson?
A: I would advise current recruits not to pass on an opportunity to play at Davidson, as they will not find a better environment to grow as an athlete, as an individual, and as a student. The relationships built at Davidson College are unrivaled, and they will forever positively shape every facet of the student-athlete's life.
Q: What advice would you pass along to current Davidson players?
A: Branch out and take advantage of everything Davidson has to offer, especially with respect to opportunities outside of athletics. The professors, courses, programs, and speakers are top-notch. Davidson provides unparalleled opportunities for its students to grow in every aspect of life, and that's what makes it such a special place. Do not hesitate to challenge yourself every chance you get. Take the difficult course. Meet with professors outside of the classroom. Finally, I would advise current players not to take their time at Davidson for granted. My years at Davidson will always hold special significance in my life, and those four years passed at the speed of light. Soon your time at Davidson will be but memory.
Q: What do you miss the most now from playing soccer at Davidson?
A: The thing I miss most about playing soccer at Davidson was being able to spend over two hours a day playing the sport I love alongside my best friends.
Q: How often have you been able to return to Davidson to catch a game?
A: I spent most of the previous four years in South Florida. So, I was only able to catch about one game a year. Now that I am back in North Carolina I hope to attend games regularly.
Q: Any favorite “Coach Spear-isms” you want to share?
A: I always enjoyed watching David Sartorio torture Coach Spear with his quips and cranks. Sartorio has a sharp wit and facetious sense of humor. Coach Spear would often try his hardest not to be rattled or amused by Sartorio, but even when Coach Spear was at his most serious, Sartorio could force a smile out of Coach.
With 10 seasons in the history books for Davidson men's soccer head coach Matt Spear, DavidsonWildcats.com got in touch with a senior from each of his 10 teams to discuss their memories of Davidson and see where they are now.
Starting with 2001 and concluding with 2010, DavidsonWildcats.com will post a Q & A with an alumnus every Friday. This week's feature is Joey Bass.
Joey Bass (2001-2004), a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter on Davidson's stingy backline, was a team tri-captain and named to the Southern Conference All-Tournament team in his senior year. He was a valuable part of the 'Cats 2003 SoCon Championship team that earned a single-season record 10 shutouts. Bass excelled in classroom as well, earning NSCAA Scholar All-Region honors.
Q: Why and how did you choose Davidson?
A: Davidson had a different feel from any other school I visited. I could sense the team's camaraderie from the moment I stepped on campus. The relationships between the guys on the team was unmatched by any other program I had experienced during my search. From an academic standpoint, the small classroom size and challenging curriculum were appealing. Additionally, the alumni network and reputation of graduates in the professional community was top-notch. Finally, I was sold by the beautiful campus, the strength of the honor code, and the school's commitment to developing successful leaders.
Q: How thrilling was it to win the SoCon Championship and go to the NCAA tournament in 2003?
A: The 2003 season, which culminated in a SoCon Championship Title (Regular Season and Conference) and NCAA Tournament berth, was magical. That fall was one of the true highlights of my life. Perhaps the best part was winning alongside guys that-- to this day-- I consider my best friends. It was great to have all of our hard work validated by the championship run.
Q: What were some of your favorite memories from your Davidson Soccer days?
A: Aside from winning the SoCon and going to the NCAA tourney, two memories always come to mind. The first is beating UNC in Chapel Hill the year after the Heels one the National Championship. The second moment is an individual one: my game-winning sudden death overtime goal from 25 yards out against conference foe Furman. As a defender, such moments were rare indeed. Thanks Tom Lavan for the assist.
Q: What were your favorite memories off the field?
A: My favorite memories off the field were any moments spent with my teammates. I will always cherish the relationships that I built with those guys. Particularly enjoyable were our annual pre-season trips to Cocoa Beach and Wilmington, N.C. One highlight of the pre-season trips was the Freshmen Skits.
Q: You played for Coach Spear during his first four years at the helm, did he change at all from his first season?
A: I would have to say that he did not change during that time to any significant degree, and I say that as the highest praise, because when Coach Spear took the job, he was well-prepared and well-suited to lead the program.
Q: What was your major and how did the academic and athletic experience help you moving forward?
A: I majored in history at Davidson. The academic and athletic experience at Davidson has proved invaluable since graduation. Perhaps most helpful were the time management skills that I acquired as a student-athlete at Davidson, a school where athletes are not given any sort of special treatment. I take pride in the fact that student-athletes at Davidson routinely out-perform the general student population.
Q: Where are you now, and what are you doing now?
A: I am currently living in Greensboro, N.C. I am an attorney with the Law Offices of Adams and Winfree, a small practice with a focus on civil litigation.
Q: What are some tips you would have for current recruits considering Davidson?
A: I would advise current recruits not to pass on an opportunity to play at Davidson, as they will not find a better environment to grow as an athlete, as an individual, and as a student. The relationships built at Davidson College are unrivaled, and they will forever positively shape every facet of the student-athlete's life.
Q: What advice would you pass along to current Davidson players?
A: Branch out and take advantage of everything Davidson has to offer, especially with respect to opportunities outside of athletics. The professors, courses, programs, and speakers are top-notch. Davidson provides unparalleled opportunities for its students to grow in every aspect of life, and that's what makes it such a special place. Do not hesitate to challenge yourself every chance you get. Take the difficult course. Meet with professors outside of the classroom. Finally, I would advise current players not to take their time at Davidson for granted. My years at Davidson will always hold special significance in my life, and those four years passed at the speed of light. Soon your time at Davidson will be but memory.
Q: What do you miss the most now from playing soccer at Davidson?
A: The thing I miss most about playing soccer at Davidson was being able to spend over two hours a day playing the sport I love alongside my best friends.
Q: How often have you been able to return to Davidson to catch a game?
A: I spent most of the previous four years in South Florida. So, I was only able to catch about one game a year. Now that I am back in North Carolina I hope to attend games regularly.
Q: Any favorite “Coach Spear-isms” you want to share?
A: I always enjoyed watching David Sartorio torture Coach Spear with his quips and cranks. Sartorio has a sharp wit and facetious sense of humor. Coach Spear would often try his hardest not to be rattled or amused by Sartorio, but even when Coach Spear was at his most serious, Sartorio could force a smile out of Coach.
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