The Oregon State University Sesquicentennial Oral History Project

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Alyssa Martin Oral History Interview

Life history interview conducted by Chris Petersen.

May 13, 2014

Abstract

“The Hectic Life of the Student Athlete”  May 13, 2014  Location: Valley Library, Oregon State University.  Watch Video | Download Transcript (PDF)

In the interview, Martin provides insight into the busy lives led by student athletes at Oregon State University. In so doing, she touches upon her training regimen, both in-season and off, as well as techniques that she has used to remain successful in the classroom despite the many demands placed upon her as a women's basketball player. Martin also discusses her recruitment to OSU, her decision to honor her commitment to the program despite the firing of the coach who recruited her, and her perspective on the current coaching staff.

Martin likewise reflects upon traveling with her teammates, preparation for games, the rivalry between OSU and the University of Oregon, and her experience playing in the NCAA tournament. She describes the facilities available to women's basketball players and remarks on the impact made by the new basketball practice facility and the Beth Ray Academic Center. She concludes with thoughts on social life as a student athlete in a small college town and answers questions about the contemporary state of women's basketball, including the dominance of the University of Connecticut and her interactions with Oregon native Shoni Schimmel.