Bergstrom signs with Division I IPFW

By GARY LARSON
Mille Lacs County Times
Posted 11/27/02

Eric Bergstrom, a senior at Milaca High School, made up his mind Wednesday evening, Nov. 20.

He called his friends Rick and Mary Jane Matthews and asked if he could use their fax machine. A little while later his letter of intent to attend Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne (Ind.) was on its way.

And, a few minutes later Bergstrom, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound center, received a phone call from IPFW Head Basketball Coach Doug Noll welcoming him to the world of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I basketball.

"Iím happy and excited about my decision," said Bergstrom, whoís the son of Don Jr. and Terry Bergstrom. "Iím glad itís settled and Iím looking forward to this season at Milaca and my future at IPFW."

"We really like what we see in Eric as a person, a student and an athlete," said Noll. "Weíre excited about having him come to our school and be a part of our program, both academically and on the basketball floor."

So, how did things fall into place for Bergstrom, a small town basketball player, and IPFW, a school with big time basketball aspirations?

Bergstrom had a solid season for Coach Jeff Meyerís Wolves in 2001-2002, averaging 13.6 points and seven rebounds per game.

"I felt I had a good season and that I had improved quite a bit from my sophomore year,"

said Bergstrom. "But, last spring I was pretty much think

Eric Bergstrom

ing about Division II college basketball. And, I was considering the University of Minnesota-Crookston where Joe Hasz is."

Hasz, a 1999 Milaca graduate, is a senior at Crookston where heís become the schoolís all-time scoring leader in basketball.

"But, things changed over the summer," said Bergstrom. "Thatís when I started to think Division I."

Bergstrom spent the summer playing for Next Level Hoops, an AAU travel team coached by Dale Strelow of Braham. The team, which played in several national tournaments, was comprised of prep players from Minnesota.

"We were playing in Colorado Springs," said Bergstrom. "College coaches can attend the tournaments and Dale Layer, the coach at Colorado State University asked me if Iíd like to play in an intra-squad scrimmage with some of his players in Fort Collins.

"I did and, even though I had a sprained ankle, I played pretty well. Coaches arenít allowed to attend scrimmages during the off season but the Colorado State players told Layer I looked OK and had some skills.

"He got back to me and said Colorado State had used up its scholarships but that heíd call around to other coaches he knew and tell them about me. Two of the schools I heard from were IPFW and Charleston Southern in South Carolina, both Division I.

"I visited Charleston Southern and liked it but they called me early this fall to tell me they had used up their last scholarship.

"I heard from coach Noll and he told me they were looking for a player with height and good size who could move down the floor well. I sent him a tape and visited the school in September. I got to play open gym with some of the players and I felt comfortable. The players are bigger, stronger and quicker than in high school but I made some shots and did some good things. And, I liked what I saw of the school."

And, Noll, whoís in his fourth season at IPFW, likes what heís seen (via video tape) and heard about Bergstrom.

"We look for good student-athletes-our team has a 3.0 grade point average," he said. "And, Eric fits in well.

"We feel he has good skills, with soft hands and a nice shooting touch around the basket. We like to play a fast pace and we want our big men to be able to run the floor. We feel Eric can do that. And, heíll mature even more over the next couple of seasons."

At IPFW, Bergstrom, who hasnít decided on a major, will get a chance to work with assistant coach Cliff Livingston, an inside player who played for the Chicago Bulls during their National Basketball Association championship seasons in 1992 and 1993.

Noll, who plans to visit Milaca this season, is also excited about two other high school seniors who have signed to play at IPFW: Byron Malone, a 6-0 point guard and Pete Campbell, a 6-7 wing. Malone is from North Central High School in Indiana which has an enrollment of 3,300 students.

Meyer feels Bergstrom has made a good decision.

"I think he picked a fine school that has a great coach," he said. "Heíll get a chance to compete at a high level against some of the top teams in the country.

"Eric works hard and heís willing to keep trying to learn and improve himself."

Bergstrom and his Milaca teammates are in their second week of practice and open the season Friday, Dec. 6, with a Rum River Conference game at Foley.

"I feel I made the right college choice and the high school season is what Iím focusing on now," he said. "I think we can have a great year!"