Carwell looks to career in public policy

Although in her senior year, basketball player Kellie Carwell still has nowhere to go but up.

It is a normal weekday and nobody is up except for the women’s basketball team, having early morning practice before the sun even rises.

After practice, Carwell attends class, returns home to study and then goes back to the gym from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Her busy schedule then continues as she attends class until 8 p.m. and returns home for a late dinner, shower and study time.

At the least three to four hours of her daily routine are dedicated towards basketball.

One would think this alone is a strenuous schedule, but aside from this Kellie Carwell is a devout Christian who is a member of Campus Crusade for Christ and Athletes in Action.

She runs a Bible study for sophomore girls.

She even helps out Save Our Youth, a program that reaches out to inner city children, by mentoring a young girl.

Carwell is also the treasurer for Model United Nations, a program on campus that allows students to attend a national conference to represent a specific country with the school.

From kindergarten through high school, Carwell attended a private Christian school where she was also an avid supporter of many community programs.

Besides playing basketball, she also ran track and played volleyball in high school.

“I started playing basketball when I was in fourth grade,” said Carwell, “but I didn’t play competitively until sixth.”

“It’s weird, you do so many things in high school and then when you get into college things completely change, priorities change. You find yourself doing different things,” she said.

Carwell is currently a part of a 4-plus-1 program, which allows students to receive an undergraduate degree and an MBA in five years.

As an undergraduate, Carwell majored in public affairs and international studies, and she plans to receive her master’s in public policy.

Next year, Carwell plans to be a graduate assistant and will help coach the women’s basketball team, and to do something involved with public policy.

Having traveled to both Bolivia and China to play basketball in the past, Carwell loves to travel and hopes to do so in the future as well.

“I would love to travel, I would like to be involved in diplomacy and politics in some way,” she said.

“Kellie has definitely been an inspiration to me. She is so dedicated to what she does and cares so much,” said sophomore basketball player Nicky Eason. – Stephanie Filo-Jones

Pratt leaves DU as third all-time leading scorer in DU history

B.J. Pratt will graduate from the University of Denver in June after contributing four incredible years to the Pioneer men’s basketball team as a guard.

He helped lead his team to the best year the Pioneers have had since going Division I.

He led in scoring in the past three seasons after being the second leading scorer his freshman year.

Pratt is the third all-time leading scorer in DU’s basketball history and is ending his career with 1,705 points.

He was named to the Sun Belt Conference, and San Juan Shootout all tournament teams, the first DU player ever to earn the honors.

He was named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All District team, the first Pioneer to do so in 30 years.

And those are just Pratt’s contributions to the DU team on the court.

“His leadership and character are outstanding. He does so much more than the physical things you see when he is on the floor,” said Head Coach Terry Caroll.

Caroll said Pratt’s work ethic sets an example for the other players on the team.

“He brought his best to every practice and every game. He did not have bad days,” said Coach Caroll.

Pratt also brought his best to the classroom. He will graduate from the DU with a degree in finance and marketing, and a minor in accounting. After graduating, Pratt hopes to play a year or two more of basketball before going to law school.

During his four years at DU he had to learn how to juggle the pressures of playing basketball and keeping up will school.

“You learn to allocate time accurately so you don’t neglect one thing,” Pratt said.

Although Pratt will leave with awards and having set records, as well as an education, what he is most proud to take with him are the friends he made in the locker room.

“We are a close knit group on and off the court,” Pratt said.

“We interact day in and day out, and I will be able to take those friendships with me the rest of my life.”

Pratt leaves this advice to Pioneer athletes that will follow him, “Enjoy it; enjoy college life, and enjoy playing.”

Pratt added, “Maintain a positive attitude, but most of all, have fun.” – Kendra Kelley