U SPORTS 2018 Men’s Basketball Final 8 – Acadia Alumni Interviews

Steve Pound PhD

Before arriving on campus in 1968, Pound lead the country in scoring as a High School All-American from Stearns High School in Millinocket, Maine. Pound’s accolades speak for them self; Two-time CIAU National Player of the Year, over 2000 career points, averaged 40 points in his final year of high school and holds the most assists in a game at Acadia with 19. The two-time Acadia Male Athlete of the Year is the Honorary Chair for this year’s Final 8 and was inducted into the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame; 3 times with a team and once as an individual.

Playing with the Axemen and being able to re-live those memories.

“The teammates are what I think of, at the age of 18 to 22, you don’t value them as much as you do when you reflect back on your life. I’ve been fortunate to be inducted into 9 Hall of Fame’s; that doesn’t happen unless you play with teammates that work as a team. I loved every one of my teammates, but you don’t realize how special they were until you’re looking back. I played on team’s that had individual talent but we just couldn’t quite get it done; the teams that won, we also had the coaches that fostered that environment of teamwork, Dr. Jim Logue, Gib Chapman.“

Connection and ties with the program now.

“I follow today’s Axemen and Coach Duffie does a great job keeping us up to date. I’m always hoping the university does well, not just the basketball but all the teams. I also help the recruiting when called upon. To have the honour to represent all Axemen as this year’s Honorary Chair is special to me, knowing how many great players have come through the program. Last time we hosted Nationals was a special time being able to win it on home court and I was thankful to be a part of it. “

What Acadia did for you in getting your degree and moving into the real world.

“I think the biggest thing is at that time; we were young and dealing with our own egos. This university taught me how to win and how to lose. Dedication, trust, responsibility, commitment, these attributes carried on with me today and I strongly believe will make you successful in life. While at Acadia, we had some of the best teams in the country, but each one of us contributed in what we could do and let others contribute in what they can; It was a trust. Just very thankful for the university and program to have the ability to play at a high level. “

Culture at Acadia and rich basketball history. 

“Funny story, I was recruited by over 30 universities in the US, mostly Division 1. My high school was small but we ended up winning the Maine State Championship in my senior year; I wanted to go to a school that would let me play at a high level, and that was Acadia. I was encouraged by my dad to just go up and simply ‘check-out’ Acadia, despite me having very little interest. The aspect that was most interesting for me was the fact that most schools, nobody seemed to care about my future and education, all they wanted was for me to put the ball in the basket. Visiting Acadia, I learned about the classes, felt at home on campus, talked about my future and could tell they really cared about me. This was due in large part from then President, Dr. James Beverage – He did so much at the time for athletics. So, I told my dad I wasn’t interested in Acadia more than once, but here I am thank goodness! Biggest thing is, I knew if I didn’t play basketball or got injured, I wanted to stay here… a lot of people now don’t make decisions based on this. “

Today’s team and their #RoadToNationals.

"I follow them a lot and watched them practice a couple times. I always say, you don’t have to win every game but enough to get to the tournament and once you’re there, win the last game of the tournament. I do think our rich history is encouraging and the fact we’re hosting is an extra incentive. Once you’re there, you have just as much chance to win as anyone. My first year at Acadia, no one expected us to go to Nationals and we ended up there. Senior year, again, not expected to win and we lost in the national final. All about your attitude and how far you believe you can go. “