Q & A with Jason Norman

A wing player who is most comfortable in the transition game, Jason can also play big, particularly on defense, and has the hands and leaping ability to keep loose balls alive. This season Jason has seen action in all 15 contests averaging about 12 minutes per game.

Tell us a little bit about your background, where you are from, what your major is and how you came to the Ivy League.

I was born in Rochester, N.Y., and lived there for 14 years. I moved to Houston, Texas, to live with my aunt and uncle for my freshman year of high school. I lived with them throughout high school. My family and I moved to Woodside, Calif., and that's where I finished high school, at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. I ended up at Harvard from there, and I now am concentrating in Afro-American Studies.

Was there a time when you thought, "Hey, I could go to an Ivy League school" or was that always in your mind?

Going to an Ivy League school was never in the back of my mind. I got a recruiting card from Harvard going into the summer before my senior year. When I got that card, I just set it aside because I never imagined going to an Ivy League school, Harvard at that. I was kind of laughing about it and showed it to my uncle, he told me I had to take advantage of the opportunity to go to an Ivy League school and that's when it started to kick in.

What perceptions did you have about the Ivy League when you first arrived?

Some common perceptions about the Ivy League are the students are nerds and stuck up. I found out on my recruiting visit that it's not like that at all. Every school has their share of those kinds of people. I thought Harvard was going to be unbearable academically and that I was going to have a tough time adjusting to the college workload.

How have those perceptions met with reality?

It took me a long time to get adjusted. In high school I never had to manage my time. Everything was all set out for me. The perceptions I had about it being a tough adjustment were true. It was a totally different type of schoolwork and independence that I had to get used too.

What about going to an Ivy League school most appealed to you?

It had to be the chance to get a top-notch education while participating in Divison I basketball. Playing D-I basketball has been a dream since middle school, and the chance to do that at Harvard, one of the finest academic institutions in the world was something I could not pass up.

As an African-American, what experiences have stood out to you about adjusting to college in the Ivy League?

In high school, I was more apt to interacting with a more diverse group of people. My school was predominately white and the black community was very spread out. At Harvard, the black community is fairly close knit and that has been very important to me. At this school, with all of its academic pressure, having people that I can relate to has helped me get through the tough times.

Since you've been in college, what have been some of the most memorable moments for you as an athlete and a student?

The most memorable moment for me as an athlete was the Penn game at Harvard last year. I had fun playing in and watching that game. Nobody expected us to win and we came out with a W. It was just an exciting game and the crowd was great. The most memorable moments for me as a student have come through discussions at the various black student groups, especially the Black Men's Forum.

What historical figure do you admire most and why?

Malcolm X. The Autobiography of Malcolm X, made me contemplate the concepts of race, religion, and manhood in America, and question my place and purpose in life. It was because of this book that I went on a quest to understand what sacrifices have been made for me. More importantly, I felt challenged to focus on surmounting all of the odds against me and becoming as successful as I could be.

Who had the biggest influence on you as you grew up? Why?

The time I lived with my uncle and his family was when I grew the most. The inspiration I received from my uncle has got me to the point I'm at now. I came to him with a horrible attitude and little work ethic. He helped me to turn around completely and change those poor qualities. He supported me in everything I did and came to all of my games in high school, and that was something that meant a lot to me. I can only hope to model myself after him and live a life as influential and productive as his.

In an age of ultra-glorification of athletes and sports, what would be the best advice you could give to a middle schooler about the value of education, and the best role for sports in their education?

Education should always come first. Once you are on top of your education game, you can work on sports game. Having a solid educational background is more important than just solely focusing on athletics because you're playing days are going to end sometime and education is the primary thing you'll need when those days are over.

What would be the best advice you could give to a young African-American who has aspirations to attend an Ivy institution?

Set high goals and don't let anything keep you from attaining those goals. You really can do anything you put your mind to. Finding things you're interested in besides just academics is important and keeps you balanced. Don't let anybody or anything hold you back from accomplishing what you want to accomplish.

***Please note, this story was written for a previous Ivy League Black History Month celebration. It is reproduced here for archival purposes and has not been updated.***