Being a student athlete means early morning practices,late night homework, night games with class the next day and lots of traveling.So how does Lyndi Thorman, UTSA women’s basketball senior forward, balance hercommitment to the game and graduate level course work – hard work on the courtand dedication in the classroom.

Thorman, who previously played a year and a half atWestern Illinois University in her home state, graduated with a degree incriminal justice from UTSA and is now a graduate student at UTSA’s College ofPublic Policy all while she plays her final season.

“I’ve been playing since about fourth grade, I started inthe little YMCA league back home,” said Thorman. Her dad is the one who pushedher into all sports, and basketball just happened to stick. “My favorite partabout it is probably just the competitiveness. Once you get to this level, itis [not just] about being a team, but really just the whole atmosphere of thegame,” she said.In Illinois, Thorman attended Macomb High School where sheplayed basketball as well as volleyball; she holds the school’s all-time record for points and blockedshots. After graduating high school, Thorman signed a letter of intent toplay for Western IllinoisUniversity. During her first season at Western, she made the starting lineupfour times and was presented with the team’s Block Party Award for defense.

However, because of personal circumstances, midwaythrough her sophomore season, Thorman stopped playing basketball for theWestern Illinois Fighting Leathernecks.

“You know, it was a tough time for me. A lot was going on,and I just needed to get away. Luckily, KC ( UTSA assitant basketball coach)was already at UTSA, and she recruited me to play there. It’s worked outgreat,” said Thorman.“I feel like I know her pretty well, and we talk quite abit. I know where she’s from; I know her family, and it kind of gives me adifferent glimpse into her life,” UTSA women’s assistant basketball coach KCCowgill said. Both Cowgill and Thorman were originally at Western IllinoisUniversity together, Thorman a player and Cowgill an assistant coach.

Since her arrival in 2010, Thorman has played in 74 gamesand has averaged 4.2 points in 14 minutes of play.

“I think she accepts her role, whether it be as a starter,she has started for us, or when she comes off the bench,” said UTSA women’sbasketball Head Coach Rae Rippetoe-Blair. “You like a player that accepts herrole, somebody who does whatever it takes to help the team,” Blair continued.

“She shoots the 3 really well, and she has had some prettygood games for us this year, she is very steady and very consistent,” addedCowgill.

Thorman, whose parents visit on a regular basis to attendher games, was described as being family oriented and as a very caring person.Cowgill also added that she “is very motherly in a way, and she cooks for theteam.”

So, with all this success on and off the court, how is herperformance in the classroom? Coach Blair said that “she’s a very smart girl,but she’s always a little bit pessimistic; she always says she’s going to failand then she makes an A.”

Thorman is currently pursuing a master’s degree in justicepolicy. “At times it’s been really hard; I don’t have classes much…but thecontent, the coursework, and the amount of papers I have to write can getpretty difficult.”

You can catch Thorman on the court on Feb. 7, when theRoadrunners play against Louisiana Tech at the Convocation Center. The game tipoffs at 7 p.m.