Former Eagles star lands at Chico State

When Robert Ash transferred to Chico State, he was happy to come back to Northern California. While the Del Oro graduate was able to return to the region he was familiar with, he could not return to the basketball court for game action for a full season because his was an intra-conference transfer.Ash began his collegiate career at Cal State Monterey Bay where he played guard and forward for the Otters as a freshman. After one season, he decided that living and going to school on the Central California coast was not for him."(Transferring to Chico State) came from a combination of things," Ash said. "At CSU Monterey Bay, we played Chico, and I liked their style of play. And I wanted to get back up north because I didn't like it much in Monterey."While Ash may not soon land a travel planning gig, the move from posh coastal retreat to rural college town was as relieving to him as an aromatherapy massage session. Back closer to home, Ash was happy to concentrate on school and his game.As a redshirt, players can participate in nearly every team activity, except for games. So, Ash was able to practice with the team, make some road trips, and maintain his conditioning regimen the same as any other Wilcdcat player. As the young team grew up during the season, so did Ash. With a disappointing 9-18 campaign behind them, the Wildcats can now move past the rebuilding year and focus on the 2006-07 season with an eye on the NCAA Division II postseason tournament."As a team, we are trying to get into the tournament," Ash said of next season. "I can play (shooting guard or small forward), and I plan to do whatever is asked of me to help us achieve that goal."Chico State will return 10 players when Ash begins his sophomore athletic season, including four starters, so he knows that playing time will have to be earned. Robert plans to continue his conditioning regimen in the offseason and the players will soon be back in the gym to maintain their shooting touch."There are limitations to what we can do and what the coaches are allowed to do," he said. "But they know who is in the gym and who is working in the offseason."In addition to basketball, Ash is working hard toward earning a degree in Kinesiology. In his second full academic year, he has started some lower-level courses related to his major and he hopes to get some more coursework done in the summer session as well.Chico State offers numerous "tracks" within the Kinesiology major and Ash is leaning toward the Physical Education track, but is still leaving open the possibility of working in physical therapy. Upon arriving at the campus, Ash became familiar with physical therapy at the school and developed an appreciation of the athletic training staff. He tore ligaments in his ankle just before going to Chico, but missed very little practice time thanks to physical therapy.Ash's love for the game may keep him involved in basketball as a coach once his playing days are over. But, with three years of college eligibility remaining, he is not ready to trade in the high tops for a whistle."I plan to play as long as I can," he said. "Maybe I would go overseas to keep playing for a while. But, I want to keep at it."When Ash first made the leap from high school to college basketball, he struggled with the jump in overall talent. He quickly adapted and accepted that every team was filled with all-league players from the first through the 15th roster spot."Everyone's quicker and stronger and there is no dropoff," he said. "It took me about a month when I first got to college, but once you understand that, the transition is not as difficult."Ash was wrapping up a spring break return to Loomis this week before once again returning to school and the court in Chico - close enough to home for an occasional visit and far enough away from the Monterey Peninsula to completely close that chapter.Catching Up runs Thursdays. Got a tip on a college athlete for Catching Up? Contact Jim McCue at jimmccue16@comcast.net.