Men’s Basketball Seniors Open Up, Reflect on Careers with Capital Family

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Seventy-two wins and thirty-six losses.

That is the combined win/loss record of the five senior members of the Capital University men's basketball team during their four-year collegiate careers heading into Thursday's Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal game against Mount Union.

Tim Congrove ("The Shooter"), Damon Dillard ("The Vocal Leader"), Spencer Niekamp ("The Legacy"), Michael Sommer ("Mr. Big Shot"), and Mitch Westerheide ("The Floor General") all hold important individual roles, but they are by definition a family – a #capfam, a hash tag those on Twitter use to refer to the close, familiar bonds of all affiliated with Capital University.

"We have a great group of guys," said Dillard. "In our huddle before the game we always break with 'FAMILY', because that is exactly what we are. We have 16 guys that have given up themselves and sacrificed their own game for the good of the program, and you see the result."

For Congrove, a guard from Circleville, embracing the idea of the Capital Family was a very humbling and experience.

"I don't think I've ever been to a school that supports one another as much as the student body does here at Capital," said Congrove. "It's something really special, and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to be a part of the #capfam."

As strong as the bond of family is, sometimes blood is even stronger, as was the case for Niekamp, who followed his brother Ross to Capital to become part of the program.

"He definitely played a big role in my decision," said Niekamp. "It was clear to me that I would be going to a school that was always competitive in the league and has a tradition of excellence. It was something that really interested me and I knew that him and the rest of my family would love for me to try to continue that tradition."

The St. Henry product has had a storied career in the purple and white, including becoming the 31st member of the program's 1,000-point club. However, for as many individual accolades as Niekamp has received, he was quick to credit the coaching staff for guidance and support.

"Coach Goodwin has been a great resource to me both on and off the court," said Niekamp. "He has been able to bring the best out of me in so many situations on the court, while making sure I am developing for the future off the court."

Of this senior class, there were many different roads traveled to get to the place they currently find themselves as they prepare as the No. 1 seed in the OAC Tournament.

For one of those individuals, the road to back-to-back conference regular season titles was anything but easy.

Sommer, an athletic wing with good size (6-3, 215), is known for his late-game heroics like his buzzer-beater against Baldwin Wallace and for putting up big scoring numbers (he's twice eclipsed 30 points this season).

However, many speculated that the Celina native could be playing in Division I or Division II had it not been for a wrist injury he suffered in high school.

Regardless of what could have been, the humble Sommer opened up on his injury and on his journey with the Crusaders.

"Breaking my wrist taught me how to shoot and really 'fixed' my shot," said Sommer. "By being in a cast with my thumb isolated it allowed me to shoot with little help from my guide hand and really did improve my shot tremendously. Who knows what would have happened if I had not gotten injured, but I've never regretted my time at Capital and playing here with my teammates and for my coaches."

There is little doubt that players like Sommer can light it up at any given instant. Westerheide, on the other hand, would much rather set up his teammates than put up big numbers offensively.

"For me, I get more joy out of making a good pass rather than scoring," said Westerheide. "I have always believed that from the point guard position your main role is to make sure every player is in the right place and doing the right things. Coach (Goodwin) has put a lot of trust in me and has given me the opportunity to call plays judging from the flow of the game. I definitely don't want to let him or my teammates down."

Mirroring the Ft. Loramie product's reflection on his role, Dillard also sees himself responsible for producing something that does not end up in the scoring column.

Dillard, a transfer from Sinclair Community College, played high school basketball at Westerville South and said he has always been a vocal leader on and off the court and his play reflects exactly that.

"I feel that my role is more of a vocal and inspirational leader," said Dillard. "I love the game, whether I'm getting 30 minutes or three minutes a game, I want that love to be demonstrated in all I do. My support on the bench, the individual relationships I have with each player to advise them in anyway and the countless hours in the gym to help motivate our guys all add value to our program."

Of the group, Dillard was not the only transfer into the Capital Family as Congrove also decided to transfer from Walsh University. And while the former Logan Elm High School standout now makes his home two-plus hours south of Walsh and encountered some changes along his collegiate career, his parents have remained in constant support.

"I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my parents and family who have supported me so much, and continue to do so," Congrove said. "I was fortunate enough to be blessed with parents who took the time to work with me and take me all over the country just so I could play a game. I owe it to them to be the best person I can be, whether on or off the court."

If the senior class of the men's basketball team can teach us one thing it is that being a Capital University Crusader is about making a commitment to a family.

From voluntary off-season workouts to Coach Goodwin's camps to "family" meals at the Rusty Bucket on Main Street after practices, this group has embodied what it means to suit up for the purple and white.

So how should the senior class of 2013 be remembered on and off the court? What should be its legacy?

"I would like our senior class to be remembered as a group of guys that could be counted on and have instilled the need to continue the tradition of excellence that those before us began," said Niekamp.

Whether it is on or off the court with the players or the coaches, in the student section on a Saturday afternoon in the Capital Center, or in the dining hall with classmates, the senior men's basketball players are examples of how the concept of #capfam runs deep.

"Even though we may not get along or see eye to eye as all families do, we have each other's best interests at heart," said Dillard. "We will persevere and do what is needed for the good of the family. It is a meaning that stretches beyond the confines of the court. Ten, twenty or thirty years from now we will look back on these memories and still be connected to these people. It is a true love."