MAKING HISTORY THE OLD FASHIONED WAY

If you take God given gifts of speed and athleticism, mix that with pure determination, throw in some countless hours of blood sweat and tears and you're more than likely to get a top quality athlete.

Now include four years of grueling College course work at the University of California Los Angeles and what do you get?

All-American Student-Athlete Darren Collison.

Virtually unknown coming out of Etiwanda High School in 2005, Darren was ranked #100 on rivals.com. He lead the Eagles to the CIF Championship his senior year and was able to earn a scholarship from UCLA.

In his freshman season he proved worthy of his scholarship as a dependable back up point guard helping UCLA reach the Final Four for the first time since 1995.

As a starter, Coliison quickly silenced all critics who questioned his ability by leading UCLA to two straight Pac-10 Championships and two straight trips to the Final Four. In the process he has launched himself into the limelight as one of the premier point guard prospects in the country.

Widely regarded as a potential NBA Lottery pick for the past two seasons, Darren has managed to do what other Student-Athletes in his position find enormously challenging, He simply stayed in school

Under the new NBA rule requiring players to be at least 19 years old and 1 year out of High School, todays College stars seem to do everything in their power to rush to the NBA as soon as possible. Its actually more of a shock when a standout player decides to stay in College all four years rather than leave early for the NBA.

"I know I could have went to the NBA but I wanted to do something special on and off the court. That's winning an NCAA Championship and getting my degree" Darren said.

Some may question Collison's decision to return to UCLA but for a player of his caliber, making the choice to forgo the wealth and glamor associated with the NBA to stay in school and pursue an education is the ultimate sign of respect for the term "Student-Athlete". Darren Collison is truely earning his scholarship.

"I got to where I am by taking good advice and making good decisions. I felt strong about staying so I decided to stay" Collison said.

While many of his peers will be headed for superstar life in the NBA, Darren Collison will simply be headed to class.

In 2009 Collison hopes to lead UCLA back to the Final Four as well as meet all academic requirements to receive his History Degree. While UCLA is getting more than they bargained for out of an Athletic Scholarship offer, Darren Collison is capitalizing on a complete College Basketball experience.

As a senior Darren Collison is looking forward to leaving his final mark at UCLA. If he is able to lead the Bruins to a fourth straight Final Four, The history major will make "Major History" for his accomplishments as both a Student and an Athlete.