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Nurse speaks out on her departure from Oregon
The junior made her first public comments since coach Bev Smith announced Nurse would not be returning next year
by Jeffrey Dransfeldt | Senior Sports Reporter
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"It was my intention to finish my career here at the University of Oregon," she said. "I in no way, shape or form wanted to finish anywhere else. This is where I wanted to be."
It has been one week since Oregon coach Bev Smith announced the junior point guard wouldn't be returning to the team for the 2008-09 season.
On Monday evening, Nurse made her first public comments in an emotional telephone interview with the Emerald. She expressed disappointment that she won't be able to play with her teammates any longer, while praising their potential.
"I wish them all the best because they truly deserve it," Nurse said.
Smith described the parting as mutual in an interview last week.
"I don't think any part of it was mutual because I wanted to be nowhere else," Nurse said. "I wanted to finish my career where I started it with the teammates that I enjoy playing with."
Asked about her relationship with Smith, Nurse said, "We leave on professional terms, I guess.
"I wish I could have stayed. I felt like I was committed to this program and to where we wanted to go because that's where I wanted to go. I wanted to play in an NCAA Tournament too.
"I guess it was hard on both parties."
Oregon played with six freshmen and three sophomores this season as the younger players adjusted to Division I competition. Nurse provided experience at the guard position along with sophomores Taylor Lilley, Micaela Cocks and senior Kaela Chapdelaine.
Nurse always emphasized her commitment to helping Oregon make the NCAA Tournament and reiterated that Monday. Next season, Oregon with a year of experience, is expected to make a push for postseason play.
"I think that this team that Oregon has has all the capability of (making the tournament) and I think it's sad that I won't be part of that team that gets to do that," Nurse said. "I think with the talent they have they can do that no questions asked."
But Nurse won't have the chance to contribute.
"I haven't given up on that goal," she said. "Where I want to go I want to put myself in the position where I can still make that kind of dream of mine happen."
Nurse is going to remain at Oregon for spring term and finish out her classes. She is a journalism major with an emphasis on electronic media.
She is undecided on where she'll continue her college basketball career. Smith placed a condition on her transfer that it can't be within the Pacific-10 Conference, but Nurse can look elsewhere.
Her family is from the East Coast, so she will look there, but wants to find a place where she can contribute, whether it's as a starter or a reserve.
"I felt like I did a lot of growing at Oregon and it was a good environment for me," Nurse said. "Now that I have to switch I need to find an environment where I can continue that growth as a person and as a basketball player."
The Emerald will have more coverage of Nurse leaving the basketball team in the print edition this week.
"I made Eugene my home for three years," a tearful Nurse said. "I intended to make it for four."
jdransfeldt@dailyemerald.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 7
Tom
posted 4/21/08 @ 11:16 PM PST
"I wish them all the best because they truly deserve it," Nurse said.
This means....They deserve a better coach than worthless Bev Smith. I cant wait till next year to have another . (Continued…)
tnanch
posted 4/22/08 @ 10:23 AM PST
I really wish we could have had some insight/speculation from Nurse as to why she was let go. Also, the writer could have interviewed Smith. What ever happened to hard hitting reporting??
Cathy Kozlowicz
posted 4/22/08 @ 1:45 PM PST
Why can't Bev Communicate. Tamika should tell what happened in that meeting, and how can Bev say it is mutual when it clearly is not. Bev even said that Tamika would not say it was mutual. (Continued…)
richard maloney
posted 4/26/08 @ 1:05 PM PST
My reaction to this article is that there must be an underlying reason for the splitting of ways, and the readers want to know. We already were aware that Ms. (Continued…)
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