Scheierman shares experience with AMS
Sometimes, technology has its quirks. Many enjoy the in-person meetings that provide that extra punch.
Aurora Middle School students learned about that Friday afternoon as everyone packed inside the theater was under the impression they’d get to meet former Husky and NBA-bound Baylor Scheierman over a Zoom call.
What everyone wasn’t ready for was that middle school math teacher and Nebraska teacher of the year Scott Phillips had already made plans for was Scheierman sharing with the school in-person, a towering 6-7 figure over a crop of 6-8 graders.
Phillips played out the guise, a pre-recorded message with Scheierman on-screen with no volume. Middle schoolers, always willing to lend a helping hand, made sure to alert Phillips on the issues at hand. With a smirk on his face, Phillips motioned to the curtain and out walked the potential NBA draft pick.
Moans and groans of a successful Dad joke filtered through the theater and were eventually replaced with a loud ovation for the former Husky great.
Scheierman shared that its been a decade since he was sitting in those same theater seats, about a foot shorter and 100 pounds lighter.
“I had a goal that I wanted to achieve and big dreams,” he started. “You know, it all started with me when I was little. Valentine’s Day for us at the Scheierman house was watching Pistol Pete highlights and movies. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to play basketball at the highest level.”
Scheierman’s message revolved around preparation, perseverance and relationships, three pillars he’s used throughout his time both in athletics and life.
In talking about preparation, Scheierman mentioned Madison Farris’ class where he wrote down his goals for high school on a piece of paper, something Scheierman learned after his discussion is still a tradition for 8th graders. When those 8th graders graduate, Farris gives that piece of paper back to the students.
“My paper said to get good grades in high school and get a Division I basketball scholarship,” Scheierman recalled. “I knew at the time writing those down at 14 years old, there were a lot of other people in the world that wanted the same thing I did. In order for me to get where I wanted to go, I had to separate myself.”
Scheierman shared that he started waking up at 6 a.m. with coach Phillips five days a week, doing that for years until he graduated high school. Scheierman also played in what he referred to as an “old man’s league,” made up of men in their 30s and 40s when he was 14 years old.
“I did that because I love to compete and wanted to get better,” he said. “I didn’t always love getting up early or feel like doing the things I needed to do to get better but I had great people around me that pushed and motivated me.”
Scheierman emphasized to the middle school group that he never cut any corners. He worked hard in the weight room, on the basketball floor, but also in the classroom.
The conversation shifted to his second point of perseverance, noting several challenges he’s faced over the years.
Scheierman mentioned his internal struggle as a middle school student and not having that growth spurt he felt was necessary.
“I was 5-foot seven, 110 pounds and I struggled with that because I felt like I had really good skill, but knew that if I didn’t grow, it wouldn’t matter,” he said.
He also mentioned how football wasn’t an enjoyable experience for him, playing a position he didn’t want to be (wide receiver) and not having the type of success he was after.
Scheierman told those listening he didn’t want to play football in high school and if it wasn’t for the pestering of coach Kyle Peterson, there’s a good chance he never would have become an all-state and NSAA state record quarterback.
“Coach Peterson saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” Scheierman said. “I ended up going out for football and it was one of the best decisions I ever made because of all the memories I have with my friends I get for the rest of my life.”
As for that Division I basketball scholarship Scheierman wanted, he eventually got a single offer from South Dakota State out of high school.
Things were far from perfect, though, for a guy who from the outside had everything he wanted.
“My first year of college was very difficult for me,” Scheierman shared. “I was away from my family and friends I grew so accustomed to being with and honestly, basketball wasn’t that enjoyable for me at the time. College basketball is a lot different and I was really lonely.”
Scheierman recounted the nights he spent on Facetime with his Mom and how those moments led him to his faith, which he has shared quite a bit on his platform.
“It helped me realize I was put here for a reason and changed my mindset on life,” Scheierman continued.
Scheierman’s final point tackled relationships and the importance of positive friendships.
While he has been blessed to win countless awards, played in March Madness and is an NBA hopeful, he hammered home that 20 years from now, no one will remember how many points he scored against UConn or what pick he was in the draft.
“People will remember what I was like as a person,” he said. “That’s the most important thing I can tell you guys is relationships matter. If you look around this room, some of these people will be your closest friends. I’ve been blessed with support from people in this room and they support you, too.”
Scheierman noted the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who can push you to be a better person and help achieve your goals.
He added that it’s important to write your own story and not let others dictate the story for you.
“If I would have listened to everybody that said I couldn’t do this or that, I wouldn’t be here today,” Scheierman said. “Dream big and remember it’s a great day to be a Husky. Coach (Dana) Thompson always said that and I never knew what it meant. Since I’ve graduated and gone through different things in life, the support I’ve had from Aurora is unmatched and why I enjoy coming back.”
Scheierman then spent 20 or so minutes answering questions from students, like why he enjoys basketball, what his typical day as a college basketball player looked like or what NBA team he hopes to be drafted by.
After his presentation, Scheierman went around to individual classrooms, enjoying the shy smiles from middle schoolers as well as the proud smiles of many former teachers he had a decade ago.
What’s next for Scheierman? He’s set to graduate from Creighton and will be quickly off to Chicago for the NBA combine. His future will become more clear with the NBA draft on the calendar June 26-27.