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Wheeling Park Alumnus Phil Bledsoe Settles in at Marshall

HUNTINGTON — Wheeling Park graduate and basketball standout Phil Bledsoe is living his dream. About two weeks ago, he moved to Huntington and started the newest chapter of his life at Marshall University. He has quickly adapted to the college life and is enjoying every minute of it.

” I love it here,” Bledsoe said.  “It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

When visiting colleges, Bledsoe wanted something special in a campus, and he found that at the home of the Thundering Herd.

“When I came down here for a visit, around the campus everybody was so friendly,” Bledsoe said. “There’s a high basketball knowledge and I thought this was a great fit for me as a student.”

Since moving into the dorms, the former Patriot has already gotten a taste of what the student life is like as well. A finance major, Bledsoe is taking a microeconomics class right now. But like everything else, it takes some time to get the hang of things.

“The classes are really challenging,” Bledsoe said. ”But once you get a hold of it, it’s really easy.”

One of the biggest challenges for incoming freshmen could be the work load. Even though the fall semester is about two months away, Bledsoe’s schedule is pretty full. On top of going to classes, members of the Thundering Herd basketball team also have practices and workouts five days a week.

There are big changes compared to high school to according to Bledsoe.

“It’s a big change,” he said. “There’s a lot higher standards and there’s a lot of new techniques. They expect excellence from you everyday.”

The expectations of the coaching staff have been demonstrated by the upper classmen as well.

The veterans on the team want to make sure the incoming freshmen are on board for their goals.

“They’re welcoming to all the freshmen and they are very supportive,” Bledsoe said. “They have a real mindset here and that is winning the conference tournament.”

Bledsoe said that he has some things to work on and wants to improve. One of his goals is to make an immediate impact on the team.

Bledsoe is not sure if he will redshirt his freshman year and is going to see how things play out.

He also does not forget where he came from and credits his high school coaching staff for getting him ready for college.

“Coach (Michael) Jebbia and the Wheeling Park staff has really prepared me and has helped me to always be early to practice, classes and be mentally prepared for everything,” Bledsoe said.

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