Indiana University Athletics
Hard Work In the Classroom Pays Off For Collin Hartman
5/9/2016 4:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Indiana men's basketball senior to be Collin Hartman is no stranger to hard work. Since committing to the program in 2010, the versatile forward has learned that if he wanted to achieve his dreams just showing up would not be enough.
After battling injuries in high school, the product of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis came to IU realizing he could play for one of the top college basketball programs in the country and have the opportunity to earn two degrees in the process.
Hartman checked off one of his many goals by being among the 6,000 graduates recognized at Saturday's Indiana University commencement. His path to earning his bachelor's degree included taking 18 credit hours per semester and spending his summers hitting the books all while continuing to improve as a basketball player and turning into a key contributor to the Hoosiers 2016 Big Ten Championship squad. He is now one of seven players to play under Tom Crean at IU to earn his degree in less than four years and will begin working on his master's degree in the fall.
Following his freshman year, Hartman tore his ACL in one of the first workouts after the season ended and spent the next months rehabbing and getting himself back in playing shape. He joined the team on a trip to Canada but could only offer moral support as he continued to work on getting better in time for the 2014-15 season.
He returned to the court and played a large role in getting the Hoosiers back to the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 4.8 points, made 12 starts and was one of the top three-point shooters in the league making 47.5% from long distance. After unselfishly playing wherever he was needed, including time at center, Hartman entered his junior campaign expecting to lend his versatitlity and adaptability for the good of the team.
When James Blackmon, Jr., went down for the season with a knee injury, it was Hartman who stepped into a starting role. He started 24 games and averaged 5.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and had 60 assists. A glue guy, he played outstanding defense and was a big reason the team won its second outright Big Ten title in four seasons.
But his biggest on-court challenge was yet to come. Late in the Hoosiers first round game against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament, he fractured his right wrist. As the injuries mounted for IU, Hartman continued in his role, despite appearing as if he could only play with one hand. His impact was critical in getting the Hoosiers to the Sweet Sixteen shooting 57.1 from the field in the NCAA Tournament and averaging 5.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and finishing second on the team with 10 assists in three games.
As Hartman has established his lore on the court for the Hoosiers, he now joins the likes of Derek Elston, Jordan Hulls and Victor Oladipo as players who were able to take advantage of the great academic resources at IU and graduate with his degree early.
Hartman talked about what earning that degree means to him and his family.
What degree did you receive at graduation?
Business Management.
What do you hope to study next year in graduate school?
I want to look at all the options that are available through the Kelley School of Business..
When did you decide to try to graduate in three years?
That was part of the plan the whole time I have been here. That's part of the reason that I came here, that Coach Crean, Marni Mooney and the whole staff exaggerated the fact that I could graduate in three years if I wanted to. It was a goal of ours ever since I came in.
On how that demanding academic load helped him remain disciplined:
It was a challenge. This year, I took 18 credit hours both semesters and took summer school each summer and it did keep you busy. It was like having a full-time job all the time. It does humble you and matures you very fast, to say the least.
On encouraging other players to try to graduate in three years after going through it:
Absolutely. You get your undergraduate degree for free and you get a start on your graduate degree, which can be very beneficial in the future. I don't think I realize how beneficial it is and the opportunity that I have. But I do know that I am going to take advantage of it. For the future, it has taught me to be self-disciplined, stay on task and prioritize certain things and get everything in order while reacting to other things that may happen.
What does your family think of you graduating in three years?
They are happy. High school was cool to graduate, but it was different putting on that cap and gown for college. It felt different. You worked a lot harder in college for what you are earning than you do in high school. It is something you are going to spend most of the rest of your life doing. It is cool to know that you are one step closer to the 'real world'.
On a favorite class:
I enjoyed a lot of the Human Resources classes. You saw first-hand very real-life examples of working with people every day and fixing real life problems. This was something I was really interested in. Those in HR play such a key role in the success of any organization but often times don't get the recognition. I think that's very much like being a part of a team. No matter your role, everyone has to be at their best to succeed.
Did you see a benefit of your focus in the classroom transfer over to what you were doing on the court?
Absolutely. I think mentally more than anything. It forced you to focus and not waste time. Even the injuries that I had, I was able to learn something and apply it to both situations. The experiences I have had here at IU have been unbelievable. We have had some great success as a team and you learn from that. You also experience setbacks and you learn from that. I know my life will be better because of what I've gone through at IU.
After battling injuries in high school, the product of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis came to IU realizing he could play for one of the top college basketball programs in the country and have the opportunity to earn two degrees in the process.
Hartman checked off one of his many goals by being among the 6,000 graduates recognized at Saturday's Indiana University commencement. His path to earning his bachelor's degree included taking 18 credit hours per semester and spending his summers hitting the books all while continuing to improve as a basketball player and turning into a key contributor to the Hoosiers 2016 Big Ten Championship squad. He is now one of seven players to play under Tom Crean at IU to earn his degree in less than four years and will begin working on his master's degree in the fall.
Following his freshman year, Hartman tore his ACL in one of the first workouts after the season ended and spent the next months rehabbing and getting himself back in playing shape. He joined the team on a trip to Canada but could only offer moral support as he continued to work on getting better in time for the 2014-15 season.
He returned to the court and played a large role in getting the Hoosiers back to the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 4.8 points, made 12 starts and was one of the top three-point shooters in the league making 47.5% from long distance. After unselfishly playing wherever he was needed, including time at center, Hartman entered his junior campaign expecting to lend his versatitlity and adaptability for the good of the team.
When James Blackmon, Jr., went down for the season with a knee injury, it was Hartman who stepped into a starting role. He started 24 games and averaged 5.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and had 60 assists. A glue guy, he played outstanding defense and was a big reason the team won its second outright Big Ten title in four seasons.
But his biggest on-court challenge was yet to come. Late in the Hoosiers first round game against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament, he fractured his right wrist. As the injuries mounted for IU, Hartman continued in his role, despite appearing as if he could only play with one hand. His impact was critical in getting the Hoosiers to the Sweet Sixteen shooting 57.1 from the field in the NCAA Tournament and averaging 5.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and finishing second on the team with 10 assists in three games.
As Hartman has established his lore on the court for the Hoosiers, he now joins the likes of Derek Elston, Jordan Hulls and Victor Oladipo as players who were able to take advantage of the great academic resources at IU and graduate with his degree early.
Hartman talked about what earning that degree means to him and his family.
What degree did you receive at graduation?
Business Management.
What do you hope to study next year in graduate school?
I want to look at all the options that are available through the Kelley School of Business..
When did you decide to try to graduate in three years?
That was part of the plan the whole time I have been here. That's part of the reason that I came here, that Coach Crean, Marni Mooney and the whole staff exaggerated the fact that I could graduate in three years if I wanted to. It was a goal of ours ever since I came in.
On how that demanding academic load helped him remain disciplined:
It was a challenge. This year, I took 18 credit hours both semesters and took summer school each summer and it did keep you busy. It was like having a full-time job all the time. It does humble you and matures you very fast, to say the least.
On encouraging other players to try to graduate in three years after going through it:
Absolutely. You get your undergraduate degree for free and you get a start on your graduate degree, which can be very beneficial in the future. I don't think I realize how beneficial it is and the opportunity that I have. But I do know that I am going to take advantage of it. For the future, it has taught me to be self-disciplined, stay on task and prioritize certain things and get everything in order while reacting to other things that may happen.
What does your family think of you graduating in three years?
They are happy. High school was cool to graduate, but it was different putting on that cap and gown for college. It felt different. You worked a lot harder in college for what you are earning than you do in high school. It is something you are going to spend most of the rest of your life doing. It is cool to know that you are one step closer to the 'real world'.
On a favorite class:
I enjoyed a lot of the Human Resources classes. You saw first-hand very real-life examples of working with people every day and fixing real life problems. This was something I was really interested in. Those in HR play such a key role in the success of any organization but often times don't get the recognition. I think that's very much like being a part of a team. No matter your role, everyone has to be at their best to succeed.
Did you see a benefit of your focus in the classroom transfer over to what you were doing on the court?
Absolutely. I think mentally more than anything. It forced you to focus and not waste time. Even the injuries that I had, I was able to learn something and apply it to both situations. The experiences I have had here at IU have been unbelievable. We have had some great success as a team and you learn from that. You also experience setbacks and you learn from that. I know my life will be better because of what I've gone through at IU.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's BasketballFB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16