b'A natural leaderIt didnt take long for Heidelberg head basketball coach Andy Bucheit to Alex has always been just a call away, butnotice the strong family values of the 6-6 post player he calls genuine and authentic.knowing that he will be right down theThe core values he holds himself to are a reflection of his upbringing, street will make my transition to collegethe coach said. Its no surprise Alex has emerged as a leader in our so much easier. program. I think a lot of it has to do with the love and support he has experienced from his family. He leads with those same characteristics within our program and our young men really seem to respond to hisASIA ARELLANO, 23 guidance.Andy thought so highly of Alex that he took him on the road to The transplant was a success. Although the doctors predicted Asia mightconduct basketball camps last summer as an intern. His calm, confident experience some developmental delays and deficits, she defied the odds.demeanor and great communication skills were a real asset.A standout three-sport athlete at Paulding (Ohio) High School, shesI learned very quickly that I could trust Alex to take a group by himself smart, too, recently graduating this spring with a 4.0 GPA. But the bestand run the drills efficiently, Andy said.outcome is that today, she is completely healthy, confirmed by annualThe experience may bode well for Alexs future. A sport management checkups which gives the entire family peace of mind.major, he hopes to one day coach high school basketball or become an Heidelberg-bound athletic director. Hes still nursing a back injury that forced him to red-When Alex was being recruited to play college basketball, the Heidelbergshirt his sophomore year and miss a good chunk of his junior year. But coaching staff made a strong impression on him. Heidelberg came outhe still found ways to contribute to the team, especially working with of nowhere, really early in the process, Alex said. That motivated meyounger players.that I could play college basketball. Sports = family tiesAlex turned down an offer to play for a Division II school becauseIf Asia decides to play softball, the Arellano familywho routinely makes Heidelberg felt more like family. The coaches stayed in touch with me.the two-hour trek to campus to be in the stands for Alexs home games I think they only missed maybe two of my games senior year. Their will be on the road to Tiffin more often. But they wont mind. Sports, attitude was just totally different. When decision day came, Alex had tolike their shared commitment to spend time together as a family, is a choose between a scholarship and the place he felt hed be happy. Hecommon bond. chose happiness. I still feel that way today, he said.Soon Asia will get to experience that same feeling of home andMatt has coached their youth teams and all three Arellano kids have family. This fall, shell be a first-year student in the Class of 2023,helped coach as well. They love to teach and encourage where they can, joining Alex on campus for his senior year and a fifth year through theSandy said.PlusOneAdvantage Tuition-Free MBA Scholarship program. Its funny to hear that Alex and Asia have a strong bond because of his Alex has always been just a call away, but knowing that he will be rightbone marrow donation, and so that may be a bonus, but they have a down the street will make my transition to college so much easier, Asiastrong bond anyway, due to the closeness of our family, Sandy said. said. Although shell make plenty of her own friends, spending time withWe really enjoy seeing our children growing together and making time her big brother and best friend will help ease the homesickness. for each other as they are growing up into adulthood. We are so proud of who they are.Asia plans to major in early childhood education and would like to earn her masters degree in speech pathology and audiology. As of now, shesComfort for mom & dadundecided about playing a sport at Heidelbergalthough if Alex had hisTo have both Alex and Asia together at Heidelberg will be a wonderful way, shed definitely be a student-athlete. comfort for Sandy and Matt. Theres just something about knowing Im trying to get her to play softball here. But shes big on grades. Id lovefamily is right around the corner. This once-in-a-lifetime experience to see her try it, though. Shes a lefty outfielder and shes super fast, hefor the siblings to attend college together will make great family said. While hed have lots of sibling advice about balancing academicsmemories, too.and athletics, hell give Asia her space. Id watch over her, yeah, but giveThankfully, we get to share these and many more memories with our her distance to do her own thing. I just want to make sure shes safe. extended family, and we are all so excited about it, Sandy said.Summer 2019|25'