Former Flyer women's basketball player Kendel Ross has many people to thank for her development and accomplishments – from her hometown in Sarnia, Ontario to her second family and community at the University of Dayton.
"You know the adage, 'It takes a village to raise a child?'," Ross said. "Well it takes several committed communities to produce an Olympic athlete."
That's right. Ross has taken a huge step toward reaching her goal of becoming an Olympic athlete when she was one of 12 named to the official roster that will represent the Canadian Senior Women's National Team (SWNT) at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico Sept. 20-28.
Making the team is a goal that she has envisioned since high school and one of the reasons she chose Dayton.
"Kendel has shown focus and determination that is vastly uncommon. This drive dates back to her official visit here when she asked me if I could help her make the Olympics," said
Jim Jabir, head coach of the Dayton women's basketball program. "I am so proud of her and I'm proud that our program gave her the tools to accomplish this life-long goal.
"This is not only a great day for Kendel, but also a great day for the University of Dayton," he added.
"When Coach (Jim) Jabir recruited me to come to Dayton he said one of his biggest goals was to get me here," said Ross. "Everyone at Dayton was just as committed. This is not just my achievement but everyone's who had a hand in this process."
She reiterates how much she owes those who have helped and supported her along the way.
"The sacrifices my family has made for me, and the great string of coaches while a part of the Canadian Center For Performance are what started this journey," said Ross, who graduated from Dayton in 2010 and led the Flyers to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and win. "It was the best decision of my life to come to the University of Dayton. Everyone here has supported me so much and been committed to helping me reach my goals and dreams."
Ross and Team Canada are on a flight to the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico. The FIBA Americas Championship is a qualifying tournament for the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women, which will be held in Turkey next year, which is the final step in qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
"To be one of 12 people in all of Canada to represent my country is the most incredible honor," said Ross. "I have so much pride to be a Canadian and I love my country so much. I'm on top of the world! For so many years I've been working towards this."
"After an amazing summer of training and competition, we've selected the 12 athletes that will represent Canada at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico. Both our mix of experience and youth will be called upon to contribute in Xalapa," said Team Canada Head Coach Lisa Thomaidis.
Ross's basketball journey turned serious when she was in eighth grade and was one of 40 players from her province selected for the Center For Performance. When she was 17 years old she made her first Canadian Junior National Team.
Ross played for the Flyers from 2007-10 and captained Dayton to its first NCAA D-I Tournament appearance and win, a thrilling 67-66 come-from-behind victory over TCU in the 2010 NCAA First Round.
She has played for her country's national basketball team all over the world since 2005, with travels taking her to Brazil, France, Tunisia, Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center, Mexico, Russia, Slovakia and China.
Ross, who has been training with the Canadian Women's Senior National Team for the last five years, was a first alternate for Team Canada at the 2012 Olympics in London. Canada secured a berth in the quarterfinal round with a 79-73 win over Brazil, ranked No. 6 in the world.
After all those years of training, following strict nutritional guidelines and grueling practices, she is now an official member of that Team Canada squad.
"It still feels surreal to finally be here. I still don't feel like I have arrived," added Ross. "But I can now say that I played for the Canadian Senior National Team. And I can do so without an asterisk."
Ross admits she is not the most athletic player on the squad; "that she isn't jumping out of the gym or sprinting super-fast" but she makes up for it with hard work, determination and support.
"Every assistant coach who has worked with me has helped me along the way, especially those who worked with me this past year to prepare me for the biggest tryout of my life," said Ross. "I can't say enough about the academic coordinators at Dayton, the athletic trainers, strength and conditioning staffs, the other UD teams, the HSS Department at the University and Dr. Curran, who have all supported me in this dream."
Following the FIBA Americas Championship Ross will return to Dayton to train with the nationally-ranked UD women's basketball team in October, as well as defend her thesis for her master's degree.
She plans to play overseas starting in December to keep in basketball shape, because she will have to try out for Team Canada again next summer.
"It goes year-by-year to be a member of this team. All of Canada is on your heels so you have to keep working hard and stay injury-free," said Ross. "This team has goals to be one of the best programs in the world and I want to get them to the podium at the Olympics."
Not only does her team have those goals, but those who have pushed her and helped her grow along the way, would love to see Kendel Ross on the Olympic podium.
