NDSU鈥檚 Ryan Cobbins on the 2020 season and making an impact off the court
FARGO N.D. (BVM) — North Dakota State University鈥檚 (NDSU) women鈥檚 basketball team is gearing up for this upcoming year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to wonder if there would be a college basketball season.聽
鈥淭hings right now are not normal.鈥� Ryan Cobbins, a sophomore on the team said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 been my focus to try to live in the moment more.鈥澛�
Cobbins, a Kansas native, is coming into her second year with the Bison. She has found success at NDSU, starting all 30 games her freshman year, and was named to the Summit League All-Newcomer team.聽
However, this year she has had to mentally prepare differently because of everything that has been going on.
鈥淵ou never know what tomorrow will bring.鈥� Cobbins said, 鈥淚鈥檝e always been kind of a person who focuses on the future and stresses out about that but with 2020 that鈥檚 definitely changed my perspective on some things.鈥�
Pandemic aside, the Bison have a bright future. This upcoming season will be head coach, Jory Collins鈥檚 second year in his role. Collins led the Bison to their second postseason win in team history last March.聽
The Bison have brought some new talent to the roster as well, and Cobbins is now stepping up into a leadership role.
鈥淭hey have caught onto Jory鈥檚 coaching style I would say very quickly.鈥� Cobbins said about the newcomers, 鈥淗e鈥檚 definitely intense and sometimes hard to please but they鈥檝e caught onto that. They鈥檝e been willing to work hard every day.鈥澛�
鈥淎s you get older the expectations go up,鈥� Cobbins said when asked about her goals for this season. 鈥淢aturing on and off the floor and understanding my role and being the leader that this team needs.鈥�
Cobbins is doing more off the court as well.聽
She was recently named to the Summit League Diversity and Inclusion Task Force along with men鈥檚 basketball assistant coach, Joshua Jones. The task force was created by the Summit League to set forth initiatives that encourage diversity and inclusion on campuses and communities.
鈥淚t鈥檚 more than basketball to me.鈥� Cobbins said.
It鈥檚 a role Cobbins takes pride in. She is entering it with goals she hopes the task force can achieve.
鈥淐ontinuous movement.鈥� Cobbins said, 鈥淔or me, as long as I鈥檓 at NDSU I just hope to push this thing forward. Whether it鈥檚 educating someone, reaching out to people to vote or whatever it may be.鈥�
This isn鈥檛 Cobbins鈥� first time in a role like this. As a student at Piper High School in Kansas City, she was part of a group called Black Leaders of America (BLA).聽
鈥淭he goal [in each of these programs] is always the same,鈥� Cobbins said. 鈥淭o teach people more so their knowledge can expand and have the conversations about equality and learning that these uncomfortable conversations are necessary.
鈥淚f you support athletes on the field, on the court, whatever it may be, you should be able to support me off of that.鈥�
