NSU Horizons Spring 2017

understand why Harrison enjoys being here so much,” he said. “He’s been looked after very well.” Watching him play a college game was also a thrill. “I was surprised with how physical the game was—the players are a lot stronger, quicker, and more athletic than you see on a live stream,” said Michael Goodrick, adding that he was impressed after watching his son play live as opposed to seeing NSU games on his computer back in Sydney. “I’m proud of what Harrison has achieved.” Goodrick is one of only 13 players in NSU history to score more than 1,000 career points. He has had some monster games for the Sharks. As a junior last season, he helped the Sharks knock off rival Barry University, which was ranked 12th in the nation at the time. Goodrick had 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists in that game. He made 9-of-11 shots from the field and 11-of-11 from the foul line. This season brought more highlights. Against Point University, Goodrick had 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 assists, making 10-of-11 shots from the field and 10-of-10 from the foul line. In the December 19, 2016, game against the University of Puerto Rico—Rio Piedras, he had 29 points and 11 rebounds. He made 12-of-17 shots from the field. “I’ve been a head coach for 30 years, and Harrison is right there at the top of my list of favorite players ever,” said NSU coach Gary Tuell, B.A., who had announced earlier in the school year that this was going to be his last season with the Sharks. “One of the reasons I came back was that I really wanted to coach Harrison in his senior year.” With a 3.1 grade point average, Goodrick is set to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. “I’m open to playing professional basketball overseas for a couple of years. I want to use basketball as a way to travel and see the world,” he said. Looking back on what attracted him to NSU, Goodrick said he felt at home the minute he stepped on campus. “I felt a genuine care from the coach down, and saw the support outlets that were available for me to succeed in whatever I chose,” he said. “I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that the weather and geographic location of NSU had something to do with it. Overall, it just had so much to offer.” Tuell said he has no doubts that Goodrick will do well at the next level. “Harrison will play for money somewhere, either in Europe or Australia,” Tuell said. “He has a lot of developing to do. He’s a lefty who needs to continue to improve his right hand. But he will put in the work.” Growing up playing cricket and rugby before discovering basketball at age 11, Goodrick prides himself on being a team player. Tuell said it only takes a short time being around Goodrick to find out how much his teammates care for him. “He’s a quiet guy— not a social butterfly,” Tuell said. “But his teammates love him because he’s so reliable. He’s the most popular guy on our team.” Michael and Sharon Goodrick are not only happy their son is being guided and nurtured, but that he is now appreci- ated on two continents. 51 NSU HORIZONS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT SHINES ACADEMICALLY BY WALTER VILLA The NSU Athletics Department set a record during the fall 2016 semester for the best cumulative grade point average in school history, 3.26. Out of 330 student-athletes, 248 of them (75 percent) recorded a GPA of 3.0 or better while 19 posted perfect marks of 4.0. This marked the seventh consecutive semes- ter that NSU’s Athletics Department had a cumulative GPA of 3.10 or better. And of the Sharks’ 17 NCAA teams, 15 finished with a GPA of at least 3.0. The NSU women’s bas- ketball team led the way with a 3.64 GPA. The top men’s team was cross-country, which posted a 3.41 GPA. “We couldn’t be more proud of our student-athletes. They put in hours of work behind the scenes, and it’s exciting to see that pay off,” said C.A. Tolchinsky, Ed.D., NSU’s assis- tant athletic director for Academic Services and Student- Athlete Support. “Our faculty and student-services staff should be commended as well. From student-athletes to the coaches and administration, there’s a strong commit- ment toward academic success at NSU, and these results show that the programs we put in place are working.” n Harrison Goodrick will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing.