Oct. 10, 2003

Each Friday Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan takes you inside the men's basketball program.

That the past 12 months have presented hardship to Jason Fraser the athlete is beyond dispute. His college career has already included an extended bout of knee tendinitis that ultimately resulted in surgery on both knees; a stress reaction in his right foot; and nearly five months of post-operative rehabilitation.

"I always look at things from a religious perspective," says the 6-10 sophomore. "When you can stay strong through your trials and tribulations, you become stronger. I feel this is going to be a special year and that God is with me. This is just a part of it."

While there might be a very human temptation to sulk in such circumstances, Fraser remains steadfast. The determination to fulfill his rich basketball potential hasn't wavered.

Yet to paint Fraser with only the orange hue of basketball is to present an incomplete portrait.

Indeed, few in his position are as focused on developing equally both halves of the "student-athlete" as is this former McDonald's All-American.

This week, head coach Jay Wright received word that Fraser has been selected to serve as a member of the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). This group was formed in the late 1990s as an acknowledgment that the current recruiting, amateurism, and financial aid conditions may have a unique, yet significant, impact on elite men's basketball student athletes. The group was established to represent the concerns of such student-athletes and has included such prominent collegians as Shane Battier.

The group convenes via conference call and meets in person three times a year. Members are typically asked to serve for the balance of their collegiate career.

"Everyone at Villanova is proud of Jason for earning this honor," says Wright. "I am sure he will add some colorful insights to the SAAC group."

This won't be Fraser's first encounter with representation at the collegiate level. He serves on the Executive Board of the Villanova Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and last spring was the university's student-athlete representative at a Big East forum in Providence.

"I'm happy to serve," says Fraser. "My whole point to doing this is to make a difference, if I can."

The concept of participation was on Fraser's mind during his days at Amityville (N.Y.) High School. As a parade of national powers lined up to recruit him, he always made sure to inquire about how he could be involved in areas of interest to the entire student body.

When he reached Villanova in the fall of 2002, he didn't waste any time.

"I asked (assistant) coach (Brett) Gunning about it as soon as I got here," he says.

In his role on Villanova's SAAC, he attends meetings three times a month. That may not sound like a lot but can be when a full range of basketball and scholastic activities are factored into the day planner.

"It can be hectic but it's worth it," he notes. "The SAAC meetings work around your schedule and it's not like there are two or three meetings a week. That helps."

The time commitment is not merely limited to the hours spent in a room. As is the wont of an accomplished athlete, Fraser likes to be ready when he steps into a situation.

"I want to be prepared and contribute when I'm at these meetings," he says. "You don't want to just walk in and drop into a chair."

The journey to Providence was unique and more than a bit ironic.

In Fraser's first visit to that city in 2003, he reached the nadir of his freshman campaign. Bothered by foot and knee pain, Fraser nonetheless took the court with the Villanova starters against Providence College on Feb. 22. However, he lasted only two minutes before being forced to the sidelines by the pain. It marked his final action of the 2002-03 campaign.

A short while later, he was back, in a role far removed from the one people most identify with him.

"It was a good experience," Fraser states. "I didn't know what to expect going there. It's kind of like another world you didn't know existed."

Now he will offer his perspective on issues affecting men's basketball athletes across the land. The first NCAA SAAC meeting won't come until January and in the interim Fraser hopes to educate himself on its role.

"I honestly don't know a lot about this group but I'm looking forward to learning more about it," he states.

In the meantime, Fraser will continue to work with his fellow students at Villanova through its SAAC sessions. One area he hopes to help bridge is the gap that sometimes exists between student-athletes and the general student population.

"One of the big things I have tried to work on is seeing the student-athletes mesh with the rest of the students," he says. "Sometimes there is a barrier there and it's pretty natural if you think about it. People tend to spend time with the four or five friends they know best. Those are the people you eat with, live with and know well. That's true of most students I know.

"It's the same thing with athletes. We tend to spend time around the people we know best and, for us, that's our teammates. I think sometimes people look at that from the outside and think 'oh, they are like this or think they're better than us.' What you may not realize is that is equivalent to how you are with your group of friends.

"I definitely want to do all I can to close that gap, which is one of the reasons I like to be involved in SAAC."

Even while he works with SAAC, Fraser tries to be cognizant of the little things that can help in that quest. It is not uncommon to find him in animated conversation on campus with a member of the student, faculty or staff.

Those who know Fraser have no doubt he will be prepared when the NCAA convenes the initial 2003-04 meeting of its SAAC.

"I know Jay will be ready and eager to get started," says Wright with the weary smile of a teacher who has heard more than one question from this energetic inquisitor.

"I'm just happy to be in a position to help," adds Fraser.

As for that other matter, specifically the athletic part of the equation, well, Fraser retains his optimism, even though he has been in and out of individual workout sessions this fall as he recovers from the dual surgeries of last April.

"Right now, things aren't moving at jet speed," he states. "But we are moving forward in the right direction. As long as that happens, I can't really complain. At least they're moving.

"At times, it's frustrating. In the natural world they look at this as paying your dues. But I'm stronger for having been through this. I feel the difference mentally and physically."

Injury may have slowed Jason Fraser on the court.

It has done nothing to impede his progress off it.