If one were to describe Sally Annis' relaxed philosophy on life, it might be the same as Ben and Jerry's-- "If it's not fun, why do it?"
Annis' decisions to play basketball, to go to Dartmouth and even to be an engineering major were based on whether or not she would have fun. Fortunately, in the end, she decided "yes" for all three.
For a two-year Ivy League basketball career Annis' has been extremely impressive. In her freshman year, she was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year, All-Ivy Second Team, and an Academic All-Ivy. Last year, she was an honorable mention All-Ivy pick and averaged 12.2 points per game.
Annis, who lives in Austin, Texas, began playing basketball when her dad bought her a basketball hoop for Christmas. They put it up in the driveway and started playing frequently.
Annis said she loved playing all sports in high school, but was best at basketball. After being recruited by Dartmouth, she decided to apply along with seven other schools, including Stanford and University of Connecticut.
Distance from home was not a factor in Annis' college decision. "I wanted to get out of Texas," she said. "The further away the better."
Annis said her parents would have supported any decision she made. "They encourage me in anything I'd like to do," she said.
Being away from home was "no big deal" for the star athlete who had traveled to various summer sports camps during high school.
Dartmouth coach, Chris Wieglus, was also new to Dartmouth when Annis arrived making the adjustment easier since they were adapting to a new environment.
"I love Chris. She's a lot of fun to play for," Annis said. "She doesn't take it too seriously. She keeps the game fun."
Last season, because the team was virtually the same, Annis said there was very little difference from her freshman season, except they made it to the NCAA tournament.
In first round action of the tournament, the Big Green took on the nationally ranked University of Virginia, but the competition was nothing new for Annis who had competed against some of UVA's team members before in basketball camps.
When asked her feelings about passing up University of Connecticut and the chance to have been on a national championshipteam, Annis said, with no tone of regret,"I could've been there. But no, I'm happy here."
And her teammates are also happy she is here. Jen Pariseau '97 said, "playing with Sally is wonderful.There are players who are good in their right, and then there are players who make everyone around them better. It's not often you can find an athlete who can do that."
"We all though at first she was very quiet," Pariseau said. This differs from the rest of the team, which tends to be very loud and energetic, Pariseau said.
On the court, however, Annis' voice comes out, not through words but through action. "She'd get the quietest 20 points you'd ever seen," Pariseau said.
Pariseau said Annis tends not to show emotion on the court, but when she does, the team rallies. At one point in the Virginia game when something great happened, Annis ran down the court pumping her fists. After that the team had a hot streak.
Pariseau said Annis is not easily upset on the court."If she misses it, she'll run down the court and do something great on defense," Pariseau said.
Off the court, Annis has also left memorable impressions on her teammate by being willing to try everything, Pariseau said.
During freshman year, Pariseau remembers a particular moment after the first snow fall. Annis had contacted the team by electronic- mail and had everyone on the Green playing football.
"She really utilizes everything around her," Pariseau said. By the end of the winter, Texan Annis was teaching a bunch of New Englanders how to ice skate.
Annis said about her decision to go to Dartmouth, "I was looking for a school that if I didn't have basketball, I'd like anyway."
There is no doubt Annis would find plenty of things to do if she did not play basketball. In her free time this summer, she enjoys hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, swimming at the river, and occasionally bridge-jumping.
Annis' laid back approach to life is evident in all aspects of her life, including academics. Even though Annis is an engineering major, one can sense no stress when she talks about her major.
"We have a good time down at Thayer," Annis said. "I do my work. Study for tests. No big deal."
Annis may pursue a five-year bachelor'sdegree inengineering.She might decide to get her six-year master's degree because, she said, it would be "somethingfun to do."
