It’s hard for Harrison Goodrick not to stand out in a crowd; he towers 6 feet and 8 inches tall with a big bright smile.
“I played both rugby and basketball growing up,” said Goodrick, sophomore business marketing major.
Goodrick moved from Australia to attend Metro State University in Denver. He transferred to NSU a year later after a successful freshman season at MSU.
In Australia, Goodrick was also a three-sport athlete at St. Josephs College Hunters Hill under head coach Jim Arkell, whom he considers an influential figure in his life. He was a two-time MVP on the basketball team and was named best offensive player.
I got the chance to sit down with Goodrick and ask him a few questions.
What are your future goals?
“I want to graduate and develop myself and my skills in basketball. I want to become a photographer.”
How would you describe yourself as a player?
“I always like to place my team first. It’s all about winning; I don’t care much about the individual stuff, as long as the team is performing well. I always want to put my best foot in and help the team in any way I can.”
What has been your most memorable moment?
“It was last year when we played in the National Invitational Tournament for Denver. We played in the Arizona Wildcats stadium, and we lost by three, but that was such a good experience just to play in a big arena.”
Do you have any special rituals before the game?
“I have to put on my socks and my shoes in a certain way. I have to tie my shoelaces in a certain way as well.”
Who’s your favorite basketball player?
“Russell Westbrook. Every team wants a player like him; he has an intensity that’s uncommon.”
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
“I would go to the Pacific Islands. I want to experience the unexperienced.”
What do you miss the most about being away from home?
“Other than body boarding and spearfishing, I really miss my little 10-year-old brother.”
If a movie were to be made about your life, who would you want to play your role?
“I was named after Harrison Ford, so I would choose him.”
Have you ever had an injury from basketball?
“I fractured my foot and my ankle once, but that didn’t get me out for long.”
When’s a time you felt most proud of yourself?
“It was my senior year of high school when we beat a team that we hadn’t beaten for 10 years. It was a good experience.”
How do you celebrate winning?
“Nothing too extensive, but I like to celebrate with the team and just be around the boys. Maybe later have dinner together or something.”
Do you find practice harder after losing?
“Yes, definitely. The morale drops down a little bit. Everyone’s been putting their best foot forward, and we’ve had some pretty close games this season, but it’s hard not to get frustrated so much about it. We haven’t been lucky enough this season.”
Have you had a coach that influenced you?
“Yeah, my high school coach, Jim Arkell, gave me the opportunity to continue playing basketball, and I went on from there. I always talked to him, and I still Skype him all the time.”
How do you balance between basketball and academics?
“I’m pretty good with getting my work done before it’s too late. I try to stay on top of my work, and basketball is something that I’ve always done, so it doesn’t really constrict my schedule.”
Photo Credit: COURTESY OF E.CANAL
