FROM HOMESICKNESS TO NATIONAL CHAMPION

There is Nothing Like Hearing ‘MOOOON!’ When I Step on the Court

Champions' TriBUne 3/5/2020 12:17:00 PM

Champions' TriBUne Archive

By: Moon Ursin

Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Moon Ursin, a junior guard from Destrehan, La., was part of the Baylor Lady Bears' 37-1 national champions last season and has taken on an even bigger role this year for a No. 2-ranked team (27-1, 16-0) that will host Texas at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A three-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Louisiana, Moon is working on an undergrad degree in kinesiology and plans to go to medical school:

The day I was born, my Aunt Karen said "Look at the Moon." (Apparently, I had a moon-shaped head). That nickname wasn't commonly used when I was younger, except by some of my family and people who knew me personally. I began to hear it more often in high school, where it stuck, because people would say, "It's because you can jump to the moon!"

I grew up with my two older brothers, Calvin and Coy, both athletes, both competitors. Before sports, my mom, Erica, had put me in dancing, but that didn't last very long. At about 6 years old, I started playing co-ed basketball, and from there I did rec ball, all-stars and AAU. I didn't really know how good I was at that age, other than my family and friends always being so proud of the way I performed and others being impressed with how high I jumped, how fast I ran and how strong I was. People were adamant about believing that I must live in the weight room from the way that my body was naturally built, and they were honestly shocked when I would reply, "It's genetics. I've never lifted a weight a day in my life." At first, it bothered me, but then in my later years I began to realize how much of a blessing it actually was to me.

I played other sports, like volleyball, softball and flag football, but basketball and track were the only two sports where I was on an official team. In track, I did the long jump, the 100-meter dash and almost every relay race. I remember one of my coaches asking me what I would like to sign up for, and my response was, "I'm not sure, honestly. I just be running." I learned pretty quickly, though, when I sprinted halfway around the track to catch the runner that was way ahead of me in the 4x400-meter relay . . . and realized I still had another half lap to go. Thank goodness for adrenaline.

Eventually, basketball became my main focus. Through rec ball, all-stars and AAU ball, I humbly earned and was awarded every MVP trophy there was to give in a game or tournament where we played. I remember my friends and I always chatting and fantasizing about one day playing with and against some of the best athletes in the country. It wasn't until high school that I realized that my talk of playing for a top program could actually be a reality. I worked hard, and by this time everything was going right for me. I had earned the MVP award in my 5A district for four years straight, the Miss Basketball award twice, Gatorade Player of the Year three times, and had an undefeated senior year, finally winning a state championship. A few months passed, and I decided to sign the papers to become a Baylor Lady Bear.

Moon Ursin

There were many reasons I chose Baylor, the first being I wanted to excel academically. The family atmosphere also played a role in my decision, and I knew Baylor was a good distance but not too far that my family couldn't come and visit me. Baylor's entire coaching staff was amazing, and I also knew that playing for coach Kim Mulkey would mean being a part of a winning program while becoming a better basketball player.

Once I got here, there wasn't a day that passed during that freshman year when I didn't think I was going to make it. I was awfully homesick, and basketball had not been as good as it once was to me. It was a job now, and it wasn't as fun as it used to be. Everything had been completely reversed. I felt like I was the worst player in college basketball and, when my chance to play would come, I would always seem to fumble it. Rarely did I have a good moment. I had no one to talk to off the court, and I was quite different from my teammates. My faith was truly being tested, and all I could think about is still having three years left.

"Hang in there" . . . "It'll get better" . . . "Be patient, its freshman year." I heard just about everything there was to hear in attempts to try to make me feel better. I accepted it. It's the next year, it's a new year, I know the routine, and I know what it takes now. Still, it just seemed like no matter how hard I worked or how good I was in practice, it wouldn't come together for a game. But I prayed, and I was patient, and those rare moments multiplied.

Moon Ursin

My sophomore year, there were a few games that I actually felt good about. I was poised, I was ready and I played well. Then the last game, the most important game of the season, the National Championship, my biggest opportunity of the season knocked on the door. I'll never forget the intensity of the huddle during the time out and the confidence Coach Mulkey had in me in that moment. "Who wants to guard Arike?" We all looked around at each other, and finally I said, "I'll guard her, Coach." She responded with a smirk on her face, "Well, you've got her then, Moon." As we broke out of the huddle to go back out on the court, she patted me on the back and reminded me not to give up the 3-ball, and added, "You've got it!" We became national champions and, unlike my previous year, now I was thinking, I have two more chances to be a part of something so special again!

I'm a junior now. I've been at my lowest, and now I'm finally starting to rise. I couldn't be more thankful for my family, my coaches, my teammates, friends and all the people who continued to support me, believe in me and push me through. The fans here at Baylor are by far some of the best people I have come in contact with. There is nothing like hearing "MOOOOOOOOON," when I step out on the court. As we get closer to the end of this season, I hope we're able to clinch another National Championship, which just happens to be in my hometown, New Orleans.

When I graduate from Baylor in about two years, I plan to go to medical school, where I will begin my path to becoming a pediatrician.

Moon Ursin