Many students would agree that going to college is not all about hitting the books. College is about memories, making life-long friends, and setting high goals for oneself. There is one student who has finished his college career with a bang. John "J.J." Hladik, a senior graduating in May and who is majoring in physical education and health, has broken a new basketball record!
Hladik has attempted and completed 88 three-point shots during this basketball season, breaking a new record for the men’s basketball athletic team at Kean University. Hladik has stolen the spot from Ralph Lora, who had shot 77 three-pointers during the 2001 and 2002 basketball season. “It is cool saying that you’re the only person to do that,” comments Hladik, “when Coach Rob [Kurzinsky] first recruited me, he asked me what my goals were. My response was to put a team banner up [in Harwood Arena] and to set a new record.” And that he did.
Hladik also explains on how choosing Kean University as the college he wanted to attend all depended on the factor that Coach Rob had recruited him. “I can’t thank Coach Rob enough,” he says, “[my future playing basketball at Kean University] started when he recruited me.” Hladik explains on how Coach Rob had spotted Hladik while playing a high school basketball game at Kean University. “After he saw me that day, he came to 16 games while I was still in high school, non-stop. Not many people can say that they have played basketball during college; and not many people that do play college basketball can say that they have a great relationship with their coach.”
“My three-point percentage throughout the season was 40.7 and per game it was 3.5,” comments Hladik, “Having a record like that shows consistency and proves that I can play at a level of dedication.” Because of his performances and records, Hladik has received an offer to try out for the International Basketball Federation, formally known as Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur [FIBA]. He will be trying out for FIBA in April.
“My dad was a basketball coach for about 16 years,” comments Hladik when asked why he grew such an interest in the sport of basketball, “he was the one who put the ball inside my crib.” He continues to explain that he began playing basketball at the age of four and that, although his father had played a huge factor of why he is so into basketball, his brother also played a role too as how Hladik wanted to be like his brother while he was growing up.
Like father, like son, Hladik would like to teach high school basketball after graduation. “I would love to coach at the high school that I had attended [at Saint Peter’s Prep. High School], follow my father’s footsteps, but collegiate . . .teaching at a collegiate level maybe somewhere down the line.” Although graduation is just weeks away, Hladik will not be forgotten. With a new record of 88 three-point shots in a season, it must be said that that record is tough to break. All in all, congratulations to Hladik on breaking a record and good luck with the try outs!
