Re: Merrill Transfers To Ohio State

[Michael W Pickens]

Well like I said this time of year the only news we get is bad news.  I 
was hoping nobody would prove my point for me.  Thanks a lot Brian you 
good for nothing . . . . 




Brian McCann <address@hidden> 
07/07/2004 09:10 AM
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[UC Basketball] Merrill Transfers To Ohio State






From the Columbus Dispatch Today:

Transfer reunites with Foster
Merrill to play for coach who once recruited her
Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Cumberland City, Tenn., and Nashville are about 45 minutes apart as
the recruiting car flies, so Debbie Merrill and Jim Foster knew each
other four years ago when she was a basketball star at Montgomery
High School and he coached the women's team at Vanderbilt.

"I took an unofficial visit to Vanderbilt," she recalled. "But I
pretty much knew I wanted to go to Cincinnati. It was kind of a drama
that I chose Cincinnati instead of a bigger school. My grandfather
lived close to Cincinnati and it was my future."

But futures change. Had Merrill chosen the Commodores instead of the
Bearcats, she would have been forced to say goodbye to Foster in
April 2002 after he took the Ohio State coaching job.

Circumstances reunited the two yesterday when Merrill, a 6-foot-3
center, announced that she had enrolled at OSU and would play her
final season for the Buckeyes. NCAA rules dicate that a transfer must
sit out next season, but she can practice with her new team in the
fall.

"I had a comfort zone with Debbie because I had recruited her at
Vanderbilt," Foster said. "I've been inside her house. I knew what
she was capable of doing and I thought she would be an invaluable
addition to our practices."

Merrill, a former Conference USA freshman of the year, acknowledged
that her third year at Cincinnati ended badly. She was suspended by
coach Laurie Pirtle on Feb. 20 for a violation of team rules.

"Laurie Pirtle and I decided that whatever happened between us we'd
keep between us," Merrill said. "I appreciate that she told everybody
that it was just some personal things that she and I were taking care
of.

"(To leave) was a big decision. It took me about 3? months to think
about it. I finally decided that it would be best for Cincinnati's
team and for me to walk away."

Once she decided to leave Cincinnati, Merrill focused on Ohio State.

"I was thinking back to high school and how much I liked coach
Foster," she said. "And Ohio State was right up the road. I just
figured I might as well put all my efforts into coach Foster."

Foster said he spoke to Pirtle and "she had very positive things to
say about Debbie. I think sometimes things are just situational."

As a sophomore, Merrill averaged 18 points and was honorable-mention
All-American. She averaged 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds last season.

Foster said Merrill will help fill a void created by the loss of post
players Charisse Crews (injury) and Brandee Gibbs (transfer).

"We needed an older, veteran post player that didn't have a chance to
develop in our program," he said. "In this case, I felt from how
easily she transferred academically to her style of play that she
would fit."

Merrill, 21, already is lifting weights with her new teammates.

"It's a negative that I can't play," she said. "But it also gives me
a whole year to get ahead in school and another whole year to get
better. I can work on all of my skills. Coach Foster says I need to
be able to handle the ball and take the outside shot.

"At Cincinnati, I wasn't the tallest player, but I was pretty much
the strongest. Here we have a great center (Jessica Davenport) and a
couple of the kids coming in are post players. So I definitely have
to work on my outside-in game."


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--


Brian McCann
Director of Athletic Communications
Cleveland State University
2000 Prospect Ave., Room 204
Cleveland, OH  44115
Office:  (216) 687-5115
Cell:  (216) 798-6376

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