In the past four years, it is arguable that no one on the University of Vermont Men's Basketball team has been more dilligant than Chad Powlovich.
Powlovich recently ended his successful basketball career in Vermont, where he began years ago.
In 2004, Chad capped a successful high school career, being voted Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Vermont High School player of the year while at Mount Mansfield. After only being considered by Division III schools, Chad proved everyone wrong and went on to join UVM as a Division I walk on, developing a strong following as a hard-nosed, physical player and was a member of the 2005 dream team that upset Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament
Coach Lonergan stated, "Chad is a tough, physical player who does a lot of the dirty work for us. Whether it is diving for a loose ball, taking a charge or getting a big rebound, we know that Chad will come through when needed most."
'The Barber,' as he became known by his teammates, will surely be missed by the Vermont faithful, but VTSN was able to catch up with him for one last interview. We hope you enjoy, and best of luck in the future Chad!
VTSN: During your UVM career, you have been known as the hard-nosed player who would come off the bench and always give it 110% (rebounding, scoring, defending, whatever). How did you develop such a strong work ethic and what advice can you give to youngsters who want to improve their game?
CP: I think I developed my work ethic from both my parents, because they have worked extremely hard throughout there lives and now they are living comfortably. I would just say to the young kids to work hard at whatever they chose to do not just in sports because if you work hard you can achieve anything.
VTSN: Who has been your biggest inspiration in basketball and in life?
CP: My biggest inspiration in basketball would have to be Micheal Jordan because that’s who
I watched growing up and I think every kid wanted to be him. In life it would have to be my dad because he always taught me to do the right thing and to work hard at whatever I do and when I look at him he has lived his life that way and is retired at a young age and living a good life.
VTSN: Your nickname to some is 'The Barber.' How did you get into cutting teammates hair?
CP: It started with cutting my best friend back home--his hair and experimenting with it. Then some guys on the team wanted cuts and I told them I could do it, and it just took off from there.
VTSN: Favorite motivational or inspirational quote?
CP: Sorry don’t have one
VTSN: Favorite movie?
CP: “He got game”
VTSN: How did you decide to come to Vermont as a walk-on?
CP: Well I could have gone to a bunch of division three schools that were looking at me, but coach Brennan called me down for a meeting and told me that if I wanted I would have a spot on the team but he couldn’t offer me a scholarship, and he said he didn’t know how much I would play. I believed that I could play at this level and was up for the challenge so I decided to come. Plus it was close to home, and I really liked the coaching staff.
VTSN: Who else recruited you?
CP: A bunch of division three schools throughout New England
VTSN: Most memorable basketball experience AND best single-game performance?
CP: I would have to say beating Syracuse in the tournament I will never forget that. My best single game performance numbers wise would have to be a game against Albany this year, even though we lost.
VTSN: Could you talk a bit about your experience in playing in the NCAA tournament and upsetting Syracuse? How did that shape your game or mindset?
CP: It was an unbelievable experience that I will never forget. Even though I didn’t play a lot I got to watch some of the greatest players in uvm history compete and play against them every day in practice. It really made me realize that anything was possible and reminded me I was playing at a pretty high level of basketball. Once you get to the tournament you see all the best teams all over the country that you are used to watching on TV and just being a freshman I watched a lot of these players on TV the year before and it was crazy to see them and watch them play up close. I think that whole year shaped my game by really watching Dave Hehn and Germain play because I realized they didn’t score a lot but just played so hard and did the little things, and I realized that’s what I needed to do in order to get playing time at this level.
VTSN: Do you keep in touch with a lot of UVM hoops alums?
CP: Yes, I hang out with Germain and Dave when we go out, and when TJ comes home we hang out quite a bit.
VTSN: Can you give us a little reflection on your career at UVM? What was your most memorable moment?
CP: It would be beating Syracuse, but I feel I had a great career at UVM and got to play in front of so many friends and family and made so many great friends through basketball. Not to many kids get to play in as many big arenas that I have by playing here at UVM and I will remember every moment throughout my life.
VTSN: Who is the best basketball player you have ever played with and against?
CP: With I would have to say TJ Sorrentine, and against probably not the best player but the hardest to guard would be Jamar Wilson.
VTSN: What are your plans for life after college?
CP: I am coming back to UVM for the next two years to get my masters in exercise science and be my professors grad assistant, the hopefully training people after that and my ultimate goal would be to own my own gym and train people at it.
VTSN: Any consideration in playing overseas or for the Frost Heaves?
CP: No, I think I am done with basketball but I have always loved working out so I will be associated with sports and working people out for the rest of my life.
VTSN: Would you like to become a coach someday?
CP: No I don’t really plan on coaching
VTSN: Where would you like to see the Basketball program in the next 5-10 years?
CP: I would like to see them become more of a a constant in the NCAA tournament and be like a Gonzaga or Davidson this year. I think the program will get there because coach Lonergan and the staff are doing a great job recruiting and bringing in some very talented kids.
VTSN: What will you miss most about UVM and the team?
CP: The team and being around the guys and coaches. I have make some of the best friends of my life and it is like having family away from home, I will be around the next few years so I will probably still hang out at the gym a lot, and still be around these guys. I will also miss running out of the locker room and playing in front of such a great crowd that really cares about us, and not just whether we win or lose.
VTSN: It has been a pleasure watching you play and your career transpire. The team will have a hard time replacing such a gritty and hard-working player. Do you have any parting words for your fans, friends and family in Catamount Nation?
CP: I would just like to say thank you for supporting me throughout these past four years and it has been great getting to know you not just as fans but as people. I would like to thank my family for coming to my games and my dad for traveling all over the country to watch me and I would like to say thank you to my teammates and coaches for being like my family to me through these four years.
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