The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE goal of the Scotiabank Defenders is not just to win the New Providence Volleyball Association, but to assist with the overall growth and development of their players.

Eugene Stuart, who was recruited by head coach DeVince Smith three years ago at a food festival because of his height, has joined a list of five other players who have headed off to college at the University of Charleston, West Virginia where he will be reunited with Defenders’ teammate Rajahl Moxey on the Golden Eagles men’s volleyball team.

“I chose there because they have a very good sports business programme,” said Stuart of his projected major he intends to pursue when he leaves town on August 17. “They were offering me the most in terms of all of the schools that I applied to. So I’m really excited about going there.”

The six-foot, six-inch 2015 graduate of St Augustine’s College, where he starred in volleyball and basketball, is primarily a middle blocker, outside hitter and right side, but because of his ability, coach Smith has had him playing a little bit of every position to improve his game, including setting.

Considered to be very charismatic and a “people’s person,” Stuart said nobody would really believe that he is shy. But if you see him on the court, his ability to communicate with his teammates completely washes off that notion of himself.

“Volleyball has really gotten me a greater opportunity in sports. I never really liked basketball that much,” Stuart said. “I really had a thing for volleyball. I really like it more than basketball.

And when he go,es Stuart said he hopes that he can eventually return home as a more complete volleyball player.

“I will finish with my bachelors in four years,” he said. “I am going to stay focused and make everyone I know proud.”

Teaming up with Moxey when they provide a Bahamian 1-2 punch for the University of Charleston West Virginia, Stuart said he knows he has some big shoes to fill, but he intends to go with an open mind to “learn as much as he can in order to be a better player.”

Moxey, 6-3, is in his sophomore year at the University of Charles West Virginia, which earned the distinction of moving up to the NCAA Division One level last year.

Under the tutelage of Smith, Stuart said he has seen a vast improvement in his game.

“He has taught me a lot in terms of being a player and being a person outside of the court,” Stuart said of his mentor Smith. “He’s taught me basically how to serve, how to attack and how to block. Who I am on the court today is because of what he has taught me. I just want to thank him for that.”

Smith admitted that Stuart’s work ethic is what has made him the player he is today at age 19.

“He’s been focused when he came to the sport three years ago,” Smith said. “He’s been very receptive ever since. He was open minded to the sport and he was willing to learn and one who caught on very quickly. I think within two years, he made the junior national team that received a bronze medal.

“He also played on the Defenders junior club and last year he moved up to the Defenders A team. It was as a result of his response. He was a quick learner and I’m looking forward to hearing some good things from him once he continues on the path that he is on.”

In addition to Moxey, Stuart joins Jon Isaacs, who is in Canada, Kenton Dawkins, Shanari Hepburn, Kirkwood Greene Jr and Gary Greenslade. Lorenzo Williams, the other members of the Defenders, are also off to college, but he’s on a baseball scholarship. Williams, however, will come home and play for the Defenders.

“We’re proud when we can achieve these goals. We look forward to the future,” Smith said. “Our goals or our aspirations are not short term. We look forward to making productive young men both on and off the court. So to have about six of them off playing volleyball or other sports is a good accomplishment.”

With so many players off, Smith said he will have a basically new club when the NPVA opens its 2015 season.

“We’re not focused on winning because we have already proven ourselves to be a dominant force, having won five local championships in our nine years of existence,” Smith said. “So this year, we’re going out to recruit some younger players. We are going to mix them with some of the more seasoned players and hope to be competitive. Whoever comes out, we will accept. We will be competitive no matter what.”

Not only will Stuart be missed by the Defenders, but at home in Bozine Town where he is the third of three children.

Stuart noted that his mother Edith Stuart, who works at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, and has probably attended just about every high school game he played bragging about his ability, will probably miss her “baby” the most because everyday she keeps saying that ‘oh, my baby is leaving.’ Some of the stress she is giving off is coming on me, but overall I can say she’s ready for me to go. She’s ready for her baby to grow up.”

His father Fabian Stuart doesn’t say much, but Stuart said he knows that he will miss him as well.