Eldora native gets back in the game
Eric Mulder in action for Eldora High School basketball team. // Photo Contributed by Tyler Strand
Eric Mulder, a freshman at Grand View University, recently had a change of heart, signing on to play basketball.
“It’s definitely my favorite sport,” Mulder said.
Mulder said that he wasn’t sure that he was going to be able to adjust, moving from a small town team to the college level. In Eldora, Mulder played every sport that his high school offered, due to the size. Mulder said that his biggest accomplishment was when he scored the 1000th point for the high school basketball team.
“I was the first person to do this” Mulder said.
Mulder said that he is still in contact with his high school coach, stating that he was always “one of the kids” and that he and his teammates could talk to him about anything.
“He was more like a friend than a coach,” Mulder said.
After adjusting at Grand View, Mulder said that he didn’t want to regret not playing basketball.
Adam Hepker, assistant coach of the Grand View basketball team said that it is their priority to recruit Iowa kids, such as Eric, first.
“We feel like we can win with the Iowa kids,” Hepker said.
Eric Mulder (left) and a teammate block a shot while playing a local opponent. // Photo Contributed by Tyler Strand
He added that even before experience in the game of basketball, the Grand View coaches are looking for players of strong character. The Grand View team looks for not only talent, but also good students off the court.
“You’d be surprised how often if you have good kids off the court, we have a good team on the basketball court.”
Hepker said that he is up front with players and their families, letting them know that although they are young they need to begin to look at the big picture of why they’re attending Grand View. He encourages players to think about their future careers and how Grand View will help achieve those goals.
Mulder said that though the Grand View team is much better than what he’s used to, he thinks that this team is a better fit than his high school team. Mulder also stated that the Grand View team is more his speed.
“They are fast paced, the way that I like to play,” Mulder stated.
Mulder’s next goal is to aim for a spot on the varsity team during the next school year.
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