Pine time Walk-on guard Boggio works hard for his seat

Perhaps the hardest working Southeast Missouri State University basketball player -- or at least tied for that honor -- is hardly ever seen by Indians fans.

Such is the life of walk-on sophomore guard John Boggio, who has played a grand total of 17 minutes this season -- spread over four games -- and scored four points.

But Boggio, who just might lead the Indians in floor burns and charges taken during practice, isn't complaining. He's thrilled to be playing Division I basketball and helping Southeast in any way he can.

"It's what drives me. I love playing basketball and being part of the team," said Boggio, who figures to once again be firmly planted on the bench tonight when the Indians (10-12, 3-8 Ohio Valley Conference) play Tennessee State (5-17, 4-7) in Nashville, Tenn. Southeast is tied for ninth place, one-half game out of eighth.

Junior guard Derek Winans, leading Southeast in scoring for the third straight season, can appreciate more than most what Boggio brings to the team. The same things fans see the tenacious, ultra-competitive Winans doing during games is what the Indians see from Boggio at virtually every practice.

"He's one of the hardest workers on the team. I know he works as hard as I do," said Winans, who is known for his work habits. "Nobody really sees it, how much he contributes. He practices hard and makes us better.

"He's one of those guys who's completely unselfish and gives all he has for the team. He's a great guy and everybody really likes him."

Said Southeast coach Gary Garner, "I really have a lot of respect for John, and all the players really respect him. He's so tough, such a hard worker, and a great kid. He's a special kid in that he loves playing and being a part of the team. He's a pleasure to coach."

The soft-spoken Boggio smiled when the comments of Winans and Garner were relayed to him. His work habits are probably what he's most proud of, giving 100 percent at every practice even though he knows the only time he'll probably get into a game is at the end of a blowout.

"I take a lot of pride in my work ethic, knowing I'm doing everything I can," Boggio said. "I look at practice as my games, where I have to prove myself."

Boggio, a rock-solid 6-foot-4, 195-pounder, was an all-conference and all-district guard for a talent-rich program at Hazelwood Central High School in the St. Louis area. He was recruited by several junior colleges and Division II programs but elected to attend Southeast after Garner invited him to walk on.

"I wanted a big-time atmosphere," Boggio said. "It's great playing Division I basketball."

Boggio actually received bits and pieces of quality playing time last season as a freshman, when the Indians were shorthanded to begin with and some injuries hit. He played a total of 71 minutes in 13 games and scored 20 points for a 1.5 average.

"Last year was a good experience," Boggio said. "But I came in knowing nothing would be handed to me and I would have to work for all I get."

Boggio, a Southeast Scholar-Athlete who is majoring in management information systems, realizes that as Southeast continues to rebuild its program and more talented athletes are added, his chance of ever being more than a player who gets in at the end of lopsided affairs grows slimmer.

Again, he's not complaining.

"I'd rather play on a team that does well," he said. "My goal is to play here all four seasons, as long as they'll have me."

Garner laughed at that last statement.

"Any coach would love to have a player like John on their team," he said. "Hopefully he'll be with us the whole time he's at Southeast."