Living A Dream at All Costs – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Most people would think a high school basketball player, who has a career highlighted by accolades such as Ohio division II state player of the year, Ohio North/South All-Star Game Most Valuable Player and more than 2,000 career points, would not hesitate to accept a full scholarship offer from a large college basketball program. But for Ohio State freshman guard Nick Dials this is not the case. Dials, a native of New Haven, Ohio, turned down colleges such as St. Louis and New Orleans, which both offered him scholarships, to live out his childhood dream and became a walk on for the Buckeyes.
In September, Dials’ dream became a reality. He was given a scholarship to play basketball at Ohio State. However, Dials knew the path to Ohio State would not be easy.
“Being a part of college basketball has always been a dream of mine,” Dials said. “But playing for Ohio State has always been my ultimate goal. Now that I am here, I am very happy and want to make the most of my time here.”
Before Dials came to Ohio State and before he accepted his scholarship in September, he had to make one of the biggest decisions of his life and live with the consequences of the choice he made.
“When Coach O’Brien called and invited me to walk on at Ohio State my parents said the decision was up to me,” Dials said. “They told me if I was going to turn down full-ride scholarship money to come and play at Ohio State I would have to carry the burden of paying for college. So I took some time and weighed my choices. I knew this was going to be a gamble, however, it was an opportunity I could not pass up. So I decided to come here and play knowing at the time I would have to pay for school.”
Olen Dials, who has been an enormous influence in his son’s life, stood behind the decision.
“Nick made a very hard decision for a kid of his age,” Olen Dials said. “His mother and I told him if he was going to play at Ohio State, he would have to bear the burden of paying for college. He told us paying for college did not matter because playing at Ohio State is something he has always wanted to do and he would work hard to pay the money. Nick has really reached out to what he wants to do.”
Olen Dials sees Nick’s opportunity to be at Ohio State as a chance to develop skills that will enable him to accomplish his goals after he leaves Ohio State.
“Nick is with a program I believe teaches character and self-worth as much as it develops basketball skills,” Olen Dials said. “I hope the type of personality he gains and the character traits he gains, are ones which resemble head coach Jim O’Brien.”
Dials knows his time at Ohio State will teach him the ideas he needs to be successful in life.
“I am very fortunate to be here playing the game I love,” Dials said. “My goals while I am here are to earn my degree and learn how to live a successful life. I believe that the decisions I make throughout college will help me achieve my goals.”
Dials’ decision to come to Ohio State was a surprise to his brothers, Brad and Toby. They were shocked their brother had chosen to play for the Buckeyes.
“I was surprised at first when Nick told me he was going to Ohio State,” Toby Dials, the oldest brother, said. “I couldn’t believe that he had turned down full-ride offers from schools. But then I realized, this is what Nick wanted to do.”
Dials’ other brother Brad, though surprised, knew his brother was going to Ohio State to live his dream.
“When I first heard the news, I was a little startled but ecstatic,” Brad Dials said. “I also was somewhat worried but then I knew in my heart he can succeed at Ohio State. Nick had in his heart the desire to play Division I basketball. Once he gets something in his head there’s no changing his mind and when Coach O’Brien offered him a chance to play here there was no turning it down, no matter what the cost.”
Now that Dials has been given the opportunity to play for the Buckeyes he is not just happy to be here, he strives each day to become a better player and hopes to someday make an impact on the program.
“I love to come to the gym and work,” Dials said. “I am still growing as a player and I still have much to learn. I practice all the time, always running drills trying to better my game. I practice constantly trying to find an edge and gain an advantage on my opponent. I really want to make an impact on this team.”
One of his brothers said Dials’ hard work and dedication will no doubt earn him rewards during his career.
“Nick is an extremely hard worker and never quits what he is attempting,” Toby Dials said. “When he was in elementary school, Nick would constantly be practicing out on our garage door basketball hoop. There would be times he would keep Brad and I, as well as his father, up until one o’clock in the morning to practice jump shots.”
Brad Dials knows his brother will have a big challenge in trying to make an impact at Ohio State but believes that he will meet the challenge head on.
“Nick knows he has work to do,” Brad Dials said. “He had a stellar career in high school but now that means nothing. He will now have to make a name for himself here by working hard and improving each skill he has. I know he will succeed, and be successful here at Ohio State.”
Aside from the surprise of his son going to Ohio State, Olen Dials was happy his youngest son was going to play college basketball close to home.
“The bottom line is, my son is happy and as a parent you have to be happy for them,” Olen Dials said. “With Nick playing at Ohio State and being close to home it gives our entire family a chance to see him play.”
Dials’ father believes his son is somewhat of a “workaholic” when it comes to obtaining goals.
“Ever since Nick was younger, he has been a perfectionist,” Olen Dials said. “He would strive to be the best at everything, classes, sports, etc., no matter what Nick wanted everything to be perfect. He has developed his work ethic so much, it is second nature to him.”
Dials’ family is the driving force in his life and has been a constant source of motivation for him.
“My father and my brothers have been huge influences on my life,” Dials said. “They have never pushed me aside and they have taught me many lessons. They have always been there to support me in everything I do. I cannot imagine what life would be without them.”
One of the biggest challenges Dials has had to face since his arrival at Ohio State is going from high school, where he was named to various all-state teams as well as gaining various most valuable player awards to now having to wait for his opportunity to play for the Buckeyes.
“I know I am going to have to wait my turn to make an impact here,” Dials said. “It was kind of weird at first having to watch the other players play and not being able to be out there but I know my time will come and I will make the most of it.”
The greatest challenge since Dials has arrived at Ohio State is adjusting to the rigors in the life of a student-athlete.
“One of the biggest changes I have had to adjust to is time management,” Dials said. “Having to find time to study, attend class and go to practice can be demanding. I think that I have adjusted extremely well to this challenge. I also had to learn some things the responsibilities some freshmen take for granted like doing laundry and having to go class on my own.”
For Dials college basketball practices are a change as well.
“In high school your intensity level may only be 75 to 80 percent,” Dials said. “But at Ohio State, our intensity is 100 percent all the time.”
Since his arrival, Dials has met many new people but said his roommate and fellow teammate Ivan Harris is his closest friend at Ohio State.
“Ivan is a fun and interesting person,” Dials said. “He and I played on the same AAU team and the same team on the Ohio North-South All-Star game. We share memories about the people we played with and some of the interesting things that go on at practice.”
Aside from his roommate and some of the new friends he has made, Dials believes the greatest person he has crossed paths with is O’Brien.
“Coach O’Brien is a wonderful person,” Dials said. “He has taught me many lessons. Not only lessons about basketball but lessons on how to succeed in life and how to become a better person. Coach O’Brien has an amazing affect on all who meet him. Our team has a great player-coach relationship.”
On the court, Dials models his game after National Basketball Association legend Larry Bird. He believes that Bird’s style of play is one of the best ways to play the game.
“I love to watch Larry Bird play basketball,” Dials said. “The way he creates scoring opportunities by passing the ball off and playing as a smart team player is how I see myself playing. I have an old-school mentality, I like to pick-and-roll, I like to make people better and I believe the smartest players are the best players.
There can be no doubt that Dials will make the most of his time here, playing for the Buckeyes. He will go to whatever level to succeed at the place where his dreams have led him.
“I will continue to work hard to attain the goals I came here with,” Dials said. “I came here to play basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes and I will not quit. I know if I work hard enough I can succeed in making this opportunity the best choice of my life. I have everything I need to succeed, a loving and supporting family and the desire to achieve.”
