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Shara Park reporting"Team Mom" is now a crucial part of lots of kids' teams, but what if the team mom became your teammate? That's what happened at the College of Eastern Utah (CEU) this season.
Alisa Morley came back to play after years and years because she wanted to show others it was possible. If you're thinking "no big deal," imagine returning to play college ball when you have six kids at home.
Alisa Morley may look a little older than her teammates, but age is not the only thing that sets this basketball player apart. It's the fact that when this 32-year-old takes the floor, it's not just her teammate cheering her on, it's her husband and six children you can hear on the sideline.
Alisa says, "We knew it would be a challenge when I talked to my husband and when I talked to my kids. We knew it would be a challenge for all of us."
Alisa played for the College of Eastern Utah back in the '93-'94 season, and back then she was one of the team'S leading scorers. But during her 13-year off season, priorities changed. She built a starting five of her own, and then included sixth man to the team through adoption.
Her oldest son, Max, says, "It's been great, actually. I tell the kids at school how she's playing, and they think that's awesome."
Before returning from the sideline, Alisa had to get back in shape, which she did by playing church ball with her husband and training for a triathlon. Then it was back to school full time. She says, "The fact that I was going to be able to go back to school, and have a little bit of money to do that, just made it all the more exciting to do."
And when she's on the road, one of the kids comes too. She says, "That's what got the kids really excited, being able to go on a trip with mom by themselves. I mean, how often that happens when you have a lot of kids?"
Dave Paur, CEU basketball coach, said, "It's a neat story. It will probably never happen again. I don't know anyone who has six kids play ball before."
Alisa may not take CEU to a championship game. She may never get her name in the record books, but she's OK with that, she says, because to her friends and family, she's already made history.
Alisa's averaging about seven minutes a game. Her team finished the season 13-17 and 4-11 in the Scenic West Conference.
They'll play in the conference tournament in Twin Falls next weekend.
