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Sydney
Hi everyone. Welcome back to another episode of Redlands Rundown. I'm your host, Sydney
Dacus, and I have a student with us today. Treston Gage.
Treston
How you doing?
Sydney
I'm glad to have you. I'm really thankful that you decided to come out and join us.
And so you're a basketball player here on campus, is that right? Okay. And then you're
part of the trio program. Awesome. So what we're going to talk about today really
is to talk about just different expectations and reality, college transition, basketball
and advice that you may have for your other students.
Sydney
And then kind of student engagement too, and talk about maybe some different ways
that we can do better on getting involved in games. So, just to start off, what was
your experience before arriving to college?
Treston
It was definitely confusing because I also had I feel like this is a big decision
in my life because I take basketball so serious. So I took a lot of time and thinking
and stuff with my parents and my family and even my friends about everything and what
to expect for college, how to prepare myself. And I prepared myself as best as I could,
and I definitely could do this more.
Treston
And I feel like I prepared myself really well for college.
Sydney
Did you have certain expectations coming into college?
Treston
Because I have some. I have some older friends and buddies and cousins and family.
They play college ball and then or I have friends in college now and it tells me how
to go. So I knew what to expect coming into it. But it's also a mental battle more
than anything I'll say.
Sydney
Do you feel like reality measured up to what you had expected, or was it different
in the end?
Treston
I think reality really stepped in because when you when you hear so many different
opinions and different stories about it, you just take the most out of every message
and it kind of all added up in the end. So when I got here, I kind of knew what to
expect.
Sydney
You know, that's awesome. We talked about this a little bit before, but can you maybe
tell us a little bit about your transition from high school to college?
Treston
So, in high school, I came from it was a small town. But I mean, in Texas, small towns
are really just small. So it was small town called Midlothian. Far away program, Texas
program. It was a lot of students, but it was very family oriented. Like, they I,
I transferred there my senior year and, got immediately taken in with the basketball
team and the students and everything.
Treston
So I think the transition from here to here and Redlands, with it being such a family
and a community and everyone togetherness, and I just think it gave me even more space
to grow.
Sydney
Absolutely. Well, it sounds like you had a pretty easy transition. Were there still
challenges though?
Treston
Of course. Especially coming with the schoolwork. You know, high school, you have
a do they. Yeah. But you have like to the end of the week to finish or whatever. But
now like it's you miss a class I miss assignments zero. You had to stay on to be your
where you got school. You got badger basketball. You have priorities.
Treston
You have other stuff. You got to put health everything in your body. You have to put
everything first. And it just comes with a lot of challenges.
Sydney
Yeah, it kind of starts to become like a job a little bit is what I've heard from
other athletes. Me so when you first arrived on campus, how did you feel? Were you
nervous? Were you excited?
Treston
Little mix of everything. Because I was excited to be at a college. You know, I'm
a really fast one to play sports in my family for college, you know? And when I got
here, I just just overwhelmed with feelings and seeing people that loved to play basketball
just as much as me. And, you know, just being around stuff that I love.
Treston
It was really.
Sydney
The and it sounds like you're pretty close with your team. Is that true? Is there
a lot of stuff together?
Treston
Yeah, I want to make one shout out to justice, he's my boy.
Sydney
Shout out to Justice, wherever he is. When you talked a little bit about becoming
prepared for it, but did you feel academically prepared when you came on to campus?
Treston
I definitely think I could have been more prepared. I wouldn't say I was underprepared,
but I think I was. I met the bare minimum because I didn't think at the end of the
day, professor or high school teachers, then I really you can build bonds with them.
But high school teachers, you know, I can build a bond where I see your every day
or him or her, it doesn't matter.
Treston
But I just I just feel like college is more like of you. Like you said, a job, a business
and a professor show you the same way. So they treat they treat it as anything you
need to get your stuff to. And if you don't, you have to figure it out. Pay the consequences,
right?
Sydney
There is definitely a difference. I think that's one thing we always talk about is
the shift from high school to college is you don't always have that person saying,
hey, remember, this assignment is coming. Remember this assignment is coming. And
so there is definitely a change. Did you feel like you had surprises when it came
to coursework, or was the coursework similar to what you thought it would be?
Treston
It's definitely it's definitely more detailed than than high school. It's more it's
more structure. I think.
Treston
I think it's more. Yeah, it's just more detail. You have to pay more attention to
what you doing. It's easy to miss something. So in high school, you got your state
instructions. You know what I'm doing before I even get the paper or whatever. But
it's definitely more structured. You pay attention to stuff like that.
Sydney
I've talked to a lot of students, and I had the similar experience that when you're
in high school, you maybe didn't have to study and you have to really try very hard,
and then you get to college and you take that first class and you're like, oh.
Treston
You got to spend a whole night still.
Sydney
Yeah, yeah, I'm going to have to actually prepare for this. Well, tell me a little
bit about basketball and your athletic transition. So did you feel like you were ready
physically and mentally for that change?
Treston
So at a high school, I decided that I wasn't going to go to college. So I graduated
in 2023, actually. And I decided that I just wasn't physically and mentally ready
for college. So I took a post-grad year. And that's just it was a San Antonio strength
emotional academy. And we it was just a year of just straight basketball, no school,
nothing, just straight basketball.
Treston
It was a player development program for sure, and I think it helped me because we
also played against like Division one, JuCo details, Mid-Majors and stuff like that.
So it, it it definitely prepared me for college. But the mental the mental part was
definitely something I had to transition to. I think the athletic part came along
because of just me playing basketball for so long.
Sydney
Absolutely. So it sounds like maybe right out of high school you weren't ready, but
you took that year off and really prepared and focused on basketball. So when you
think about basketball, because it sounds like it's such an important part of your
life, what has it taught you outside of just being on just playing the game?
Treston
I, I just think that basketball just teaches you like in basketball terms. I would
say next play like in life you're going to run into stuff. You're wanting to bad things,
good things, but you got to keep going. At the end of the day, I can't come down and
shoot a shot and put my head down and not get back on defense and I'ma get pulled
out the game.
Treston
That's what happens. I feel you, I feel like just like in life, if someone had a job
and they decided they didn't want to show up one day cause you're going to put them
on the beach, but you're going to be done. So I just think it all. I think basketball
translates to life a lot.
Sydney
Yeah, that's a great analogy. It sounds like it's really taught you responsibility
and the importance of that.
Treston
You have. Yeah, a lot of stuff. And like just teaching me like that. Family matters.
Togetherness matters. Having someone behind you, making sure you positive at all times
and let your hair go down, oh, my brother's nicer. My hair never goes down. So I just
like I owe it to him to be there every day.
Sydney
Yeah, that's wonderful that it's giving you so much. When you think about maybe things
that you were experiencing as you came into this transition, were there struggles
that you faced academically or athletically?
Treston
I definitely came here in a, in more of a high school, high school mindset for school
because, mind you, the the when I went to the Trade the Motion Academy, we really
didn't do much school right. So I was more in just a basketball headspace. So whenever
I came straight to college, it was more basketball, the in school.
Treston
And now I definitely realize it's school than basketball. I can't play basketball
without school, so it definitely I definitely had to learn along the way.
Sydney
Or there certain ways that you figured out how to overcome those, or was it just kind
of developing it over time?
Treston
Honestly? Trio. Miss Amy, Miss Erica, they always ever since day one they got here.
I just felt when I first got here, I feel overwhelmed with all the book stuff, the
assignments, the class, everything and all my log ins and Miss Ames. Erica, just tell
me. Just calm down. And we just figure it all out in every sense.
Treston
And they've been along. Anytime I need help, they've been there. So yeah.
Sydney
They are wonderful. I actually got to do a podcast with Amy, and she got to speak
a little bit about the trio program. And I think is one of the biggest benefits we
have here on campus for our students. So what advice would you give to incoming students
if they were in a similar position or just something different for your overall piece
of advice?
Treston
I would definitely say accept help, accept criticism, accept anything is going to
help you in any way as you need help. But don't be afraid to ask. There's I haven't
met anyone here on campus. I honestly tell me no when it comes to school. Like as
in the day. That's what I say. Everyone here is a family.
Treston
No one wants to see. No one else fail. So of course, when a freshman comes in, we
confuse and nervous. I think that this trio in anywhere on campus, honestly, is just
a great place to go just to ask for help as a guidance anything.
Sydney
Yeah, absolutely. It can be really scary. But I think like you said, I do think there's
so many people here that just want students to get what they need. If you could go
back in time, is there something that you would do differently?
Treston
I definitely would definitely start in eighth grade. I would would've took eight.
Serious or serious? My body, you know, I definitely thought it was just about haircuts
in certain groups. That's all I thought about. So yeah, I definitely would do that.
Or I definitely would because I'm young for my class. I graduated 17. Okay. So my
so in like school younger school I was always younger than everybody like a year behind.
Treston
So I always had the option to like stay beyond a year and be with my normal class.
But I was like, I just wanted to stay with my friends and keep it up. And I just love
the competition and I'm a competitor. So I was like, nah, but if I go back in time,
I would have stayed back a year.
Treston
It would have helped my development real a lot.
Sydney
But it probably did teach you how to be a good competitor. You always had that and.
Treston
Always had a chip on my shoulder.
Sydney
So from your perspective and you've talked a little bit about maybe what you would
have done differently, but what's something that Redlands could have done differently,
maybe to help you from this or to help students better at the beginning?
Treston
I definitely I don't say is we should make it like, make it something that should
happen or. But I think it's they say make like a, like an earlier or like a, like
a more easier way to find out how to get help on campus. Because like, I knew what
trail was I didn't know what came with trio.
Treston
Right. So I just knew that they were a part of the basketball team. I didn't know
what came with trio, so I think there may be like to the incoming freshmen, they could
make a larger announcement than like, you're welcome to come help. Yeah, because we're
like nice people ever are.
Sydney
They are the nicest people.
Treston
I don't see why anyone could not go to Amy or Miss Erica, or even Miss Tiffany. I
forgot that was David gets much. Oh, this Tiffany. And I'm so.
Sydney
Glad to know that she's still got a shout out. Okay, well, you're going to do a final
speed round. Okay. What's your go to pre-game song?
Treston
Finest by NBA YoungBoy.
Sydney
Okay. Who is your biggest role model or inspiration?
Treston
My dad.
Sydney
If you got dinner with any athlete, who would it be?
Treston
LeBron James.
Sydney
Okay, you really fast at this. If you could instantly master one skill, what would
it be? At your job, I trust you.
Treston
Just shooting. Okay.
Sydney
Shooting. What's the one thing you always have with your game day?
Treston
My headphones.
Sydney
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Treston
Keep going.
Sydney
What's one thing you wish people knew about being a student athlete?
Treston
Accountability.
Sydney
And one word to describe your Redlands experience so far.
Treston
Exciting.
Sydney
Okay, awesome. You did a great job. So this is going to be a little bit more about
basketball. Okay. What has been the highlight of your basketball experience so far?
Would you say?
Treston
Definitely my freshman year beating NEO at home.
Sydney
He's looking right into the camera at you all here.
Treston
At home. It was a great experience. I'll never forget that, Coach Molina. I've never
seen him so happy. I love that guy.
Sydney
How does being a part of a team influence your overall college experience?
Treston
It definitely helps you not feel like you're in it by yourself, because at the end
of the day, I know I have 14 other players that have schoolwork just like me do on
the same basis. Me have practice same days, me same time. Wait. So I just know that
I always have someone else to talk to and be around.
Treston
They're going through the same thing I'm going through.
Sydney
It gives you someone to lean on. I think that's especially important if you're coming
because you're from Texas and so your family isn't here, obviously. And so having
that kind of built in on campus is nice. What ideas do you maybe have to improve student
engagement on campus? I know we throw a lot of different events and we offer free
food and we do all these different things.
Sydney
But it like from your perspective as a student, are there certain things that would
make you more willing to show up and join?
Treston
I do think we do a lot of events together, but I think we do a lot of sit down events,
you know, I think, yeah, I get we're in college, but we have a lot of open grass,
a lot of open field. I feel like we can do like, I know we got athletes, but, I mean,
we can just do, like, you know, little fun events like sack races or kickball and
stuff like that.
Treston
I just feel like we're still we're only 19 to 20, you know? Yeah. I just feel like
we're still kids.
Sydney
You've still got your knees that are working. Yes, absolutely.
Treston
And I just feel like outside it was all the athletes outside is going to pull people
out. Yeah. I think just inside being inside like here people going to come because
it's trio and and there you know. But I think being outside attracts more people.
Sydney
Okay. That is something to pass along. And then how do you personally stay connected
and engage with the campus community? Do you feel like.
Treston
I definitely stay, I just I'm, I'm a real I, I engage with people a lot. Even if I
don't, I don't really know you. Like, I just, I'll say serve. Hey, if I come to trailers
and people I don't know, I introduce myself, I just, I just I'm big on connections
and relationships because you never know who and what relationship could bring you
to any situation.
Sydney
So that's absolutely true.
Treston
I just try to stay engaged with everybody. At least try to speak to someone at least
once a week. Everybody go by the trio, go by the offices, go by our classrooms. Be
you know.
Sydney
So it sounds like you'd be a good friend for someone that maybe needs that. I, my
best friend, he was very much that way when we were in college, and I did not have
any other friends. And so he knew everyone here. And he was a really good resource
for me to have because he was able to connect me with other people, and I needed that.
Sydney
That sounds like you could probably do that or others. Do you have any final thoughts
or advice for fellow students that maybe you'd like to share?
Treston
I repeat, do not be afraid to help. This is not high school. You will get behind in
college, and that's the last thing you want to do. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
No. Fine, fine. Would you really like to do and find a consistent schedule? Because
in college, you definitely don't need a schedule without a schedule, you don't feel
like you're losing time behind on time, and just having a schedule is going to definitely
help you.
Treston
Yeah, manage everything. Because in college, whether you're asleep at night, you're
going to be busy, right? You get a lot of schoolwork if you're not asleep the night
out and you have a job and then you have to manage a lot of stuff.
Sydney
So do you use a planner?
Treston
I do okay, I do on my phone. I have a planner actually, that I look at every day.
Yeah. And it pops up at 8 a.m. soon as I get up. So that's awesome. Everything I do.
Sydney
I'm going to give you one more fast question, okay? If you could create your dream
team, five basketball members, who is your USA Dream Team USA? Yeah, for going to
the Olympics.
Treston
Oh, okay. Okay, okay. Me, nah I'm just playing. But, I definitely go to Steph Curry
at the one I'm going Kobe Bryant at the two, LeBron at three, Kevin Durant at the
four and Shaq at the five okay. We're not losing.
Sydney
Okay I believe you I know nothing but I believe.
Treston
Winning by 30 every game.
Sydney
Okay I'm going to send this on to the stars and let them know. Well thank you so much
for sharing your story, Tristan. I really enjoyed getting to talk with you and just
finding out a little bit more. And I really love what you said about students getting
involved. And I hope that listening to this encourages students to stay involved on
campus and meet new people and make connections.
Treston
A lot of good people on campus, don't be afraid to speak.
Sydney
We're going to put you on that if you're okay.
Treston
Yeah that's fine.
Sydney
All righty. Well, you can watch us at Redlands rundown on any where you get your podcast.
So make sure you're listening in and we'll see you next time.
