Pittsburgh Dreamin'

Transferring from Arizona State University last year, Joel Cashatt instantly felt welcome on Point Park University men's basketball team after being involved with a string of other schools and teams around the country.

"The team was very welcoming when I came," Cashatt, an economics and finance major, said.

Cashatt grew up in both Arizona and California, where he first began playing basketball with a couple of friends. He eventually began to play the sport in high school.

"My brothers would play," Cashatt said. "I started really getting serious about playing during my junior year in high school."

He graduated from Jim Elliot Christian High School in Lodi, California, where he earned first-team all-conference honors.

After high school, Cashatt went to Bethany University in Santa Cruz, California, to play basketball. Soon after, he transferred to Delta Community College, and then to Cosumnes River College, both in California, and then to Arizona State University, where his close friend and current teammate, Ryan Kearney, introduced him to the thought of going to Point Park. After considering the idea and discussing the transfer with the coach, Cashatt made the 32-hour trip to Pittsburgh.

When he finally reached his destination, he quickly settled in and became accustomed to the team.

During a scrimmage, Cashatt tore his medial collateral ligament (MCL) after a rough encounter with an opponent. The knee injury prevented him from playing the rest of the 2008-09 basketball season. Cashatt took time to heal his knee and cheered on his teammates from the bench.

On a more positive note, Cashatt had many talents to offer once he started playing again. He came onto the team as a left-handed guard, which allowed him to play both the point guard and shooting guard positions, thus making him a versatile player. The 5-foot-10 player healed quickly and returned to the court this season.

"I am a Christian and I believe that ... God has opened a lot of doors for me," Cashatt said.

Relieved to have found a school he plans to graduate from, he wants to make the very best of it.

"I am definitely happy with where I am at," Cashatt said. "I love this school."

His teammates have also expressed the same feeling. Team captains TJ Heatherington, Marcus Robinson and Devon Alexander all appreciate Cashatt's positive attitude.

"Joel works really hard," Alexander said. "He is one of the hardest-working players on the team."

Cashatt's teammates unanimously agree that he brings a relieving level of happiness and fun to the table.

"He is definitely a great person, a wonderful person," Robinson, a senior guard and forward, said. "He is also a great hooper."

Other teammates agreed with Robinson.

"Joel brings an overall good attitude to the team," Heatherington, a freshman guard, said. "He is always upbeat and positive."

Not only has Cashatt received approval from his teammates but head basketball coach, Bob Rager, also has nothing less than inspiring words.

"He is one of the hardest workers we have ever had," Rager said. "He comes in and gives a great effort off of the bench."

Cashatt is looking forward to working hard on and off the court to better himself as well as his teammates. Rager also looks forward to future achievements.

"He has been a great asset to the team. He works hard and does a great job in the classroom," Rager said. "He is a great contributor."