Summer session attendance has Ducks not quite so green.

Byline: Bob Rodman The Register-Guard

Five true freshmen are listed on the Oregon women's basketball roster for 2003-04.

Three of them - Ashley Allen, Cicely Oaks and Jessie Shetters - are a little wiser and a shade more experienced than the typical college rookie embarking on a new way of life this fall.

Why? Because they spent their summer vacations as Ducks.

That trio - which joins the rest of the UO team at McArthur Court for Saturday's first day of practice - participated in an NCAA-sanctioned program that allows incoming Division I freshmen to attend an institution's summer term prior to full-time collegiate enrollment.

Allen, Oaks and Shetters are the first three UO female basketball players to take part in the program, which has been in effect for two years.

It was Oregon coach Bev Smith's idea that the incoming freshmen get a jump on the collegiate world they soon would be entering, and it was one that clicked with the newcomers.

"It gave us a chance to get to know the other players, the other freshmen, to be in the dorms, to get an idea of what college classes are all about, to see what it's all like and get used to it," said Allen, a 5-foot-10 guard from Clovis West High in Fresno, Calif.

Each student-athlete took two three-hour classes - ranging from a psychology course to exercise and performance to art and gender - during the June 21 to Aug. 15 summer session.

Each also spent time working with strength and conditioning coach Geoff Ginther, played basketball at Mac Court and at the student recreation center, and generally lived as she will as a true freshman this school year.

"It was a little overwhelming at first," said Oaks, a 5-7 guard from Portland's Grant High. "I mean, we were really on our own."

Shetters, a 6-6 post player from Wilson High in Portland, admitted she went home every weekend but also learned that "when I ran out of shampoo, I was the only one around who was going to go get some more.

"But now I know my way around campus. When there are 20,000 people there, it's hard to find what you're looking for."

Two of Oregon's incoming freshmen had other pressing matters or also would have participated in the summer program.

Kaela Chapdelaine, a 5-10 guard from Okotoks, Alberta, was playing on the Canadian women's basketball team that competed at the World University Games in Daegu, South Korea.

Eleanor Haring, a 6-1 forward from Mullaloo, West Australia, was participating with her country's national junior team at the Australian Institute of Sports.

Smith said she will encourage future incoming UO freshmen to get their collegiate feet wet before the proverbial school bell rings for real.

"I don't see a downside to this," said Smith, who is approaching her third season as women's basketball coach at her alma mater.

According to the NCAA, the chance for incoming freshmen to get a jump on college life - academically and athletically - was "designed ... to increase the likelihood of academic success and more fully prepare them to contribute to society as productive citizens."

Men's basketball fueled the idea for the program.

"Men's basketball graduation rates are the lowest of any sport," the NCAA communique said.

" ... As the popularity and visibility of women's basketball increases, similar steps are necessary to ensure that the focus on academic success remains a high priority and that current graduation rates do not decrease."

That is the official take on the whole deal.

Smith's approach: "It gives these student-athletes a foundation, an understanding of how different college is going to be and to see just what college is all about."

Shetters said the plan delivered on its mission.

"I can't imagine coming here in the fall and having to get used to the workout routine, classes and getting to know my teammates all at the same time," she said.

While coaches are not allowed to be on a court with the players, other Ducks were around for some basketball awareness sessions.

"I went down there thinking I was a pretty good player," Oaks said, "but the older players put you in your place. A couple of times I got an attitude and they called me on it."

Brandi Davis, a 6-foot guard who led the Ducks with 54 three-pointers last season, was second in steals and third in assists, and who averaged nearly 11 points a game, got Oaks' attention in a hurry.

"She was always on me," Oaks said of Davis. "I like her. I can learn a lot from Brandi."

Smith said the experienced Ducks took the fledgling ones by their wings.

"Our veterans played a big part in this. No one was making anyone go to the gym. But there were bonds being formed," she said.

"There were expectations and standards set for each of the players. The upperclassmen showed strong leadership and looked after the freshmen."

The newcomers noticed.

"Now I know what to expect, know what it's all about," Oaks said.

CAPTION(S):

Cicely Oaks (left), Jessie Shetters (center) and Ashley Allen took summer classes before beginning their freshman year.