Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

When Mark Moorman arrived at Rutgers-Newark last year and joined the Scarlet Raiders’ basketball program, he was basically a player without a true position on the college level.

Moorman was basically a small forward at Hoboken High School, a player who was able to get the ball in open spaces and go to the rim to collect his points.

“I was allowed to do more when I was in high school,” Moorman said.

But that style wasn’t going to translate to the collegiate game, so the 6-foot-5 Moorman had to basically reinvent himself.

“I had a great experience, learning and watching all the seniors play,” said Moorman, who saw limited action in 12 games for the Scarlet Raiders as a freshman, averaging just 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds per contest. “I knew I wasn’t playing much last year, but at the beginning of this season, I had to do something different to get some playing time. I had to play the role the coaches wanted me to play.”

Rutgers-Newark head coach Joe Loughran knew that Moorman had to learn how to play a totally different position.

“I just knew that Mark was a hard worker and a good listener,” Loughran said. “I knew that he was coachable. I knew that it was going to take a little time to mold him a little into a post player. He understood his role and I saw that he was making progress.”

Loughran said that it helped having former Scarlet Raider standout forward DeShawn Singleton around this season as an assistant coach.

“Mark learned a lot from DeShawn and the two of them work well together,” Loughran said. “Mark has come a long way. He understands his role and understands what we need him to do. He’s a very strong kid who wasn’t shy about being physical with DeShawn. He pushed DeShawn a little and became physical. He learned how to put a body on someone. He turned into a helpful presence for us.”

Moorman had no problem evolving his game.

“My role isn’t to score,” Moorman said. “My job is to rebound and to play defense. Whatever the coaches need me to do, I’ll do it. If I have to be an inside player, I’ll play there. I knew I had to be more physical and I’m getting better at it.”

Moorman has played a big role with the Scarlet Raiders in recent weeks. He’s now a member of the starting lineup and has done so in 16 of the 24 games he’s played this season, averaging 2.8 points and 3.9 rebounds.

Sure, Moorman needs more development and work, as a prototypical work in progress. But as the Scarlet Raiders prepare to face NYU in the semifinals of the ECAC Metro Division III tournament this weekend in Newark, Moorman is a fixture with the Scarlet Raiders now.

“He continues to get better,” Loughran said. “It’s important for him to be more skilled around the rim and that’s something he has to work on in the future. We’re going to give him things to do in the off-season and it’s up to Mark to see if he can develop. That’s when players who want to be good become good, when they work on their own. But I think we’ve figured out Mark’s weaknesses and will have him work on a few things.”

“That’s going to be real big for me,” Moorman said. “At first, all of this was a bit overwhelming for me, but it’s taken a lot of practice. I’m just glad to get the opportunity. You never know when the opportunity comes up and you never know when that opportunity can be taken from you. I’m just going to work even harder to reach my full potential as a player.”

Loughran is rooting for Moorman.

“He’s a great kid and we’re glad to have him with us,” Loughran said. “He likes to play and he’s ready to play all the time. Whether he becomes a big-time player for us will soon be answered. It’s up to him. You always want the players in your program to get better. Mark has a good head to want to go and get it. He understands that now.”

Loughran said that he’s had several players over the years that had to develop late, but eventually played key roles, guys like Phil Slater, who graduated in 2007.

“I told Phil many times that he would never play here, but he worked hard to become a player,” Loughran said of Slater, who has been a semi-professional player for the last five years. “Mark can be like that.”

Moorman has yet to officially declare a major at R-N, but he’s leaning toward criminal justice and social work.

He’s enjoyed his stay at Rutgers-Newark thus far.

“It’s really been great,” Moorman said. “I can’t explain it. I didn’t expect to get a chance to play right away, but I’m glad I’m getting the chance. I’m getting a good education. I’m close to home and I’m playing basketball. Getting this chance has made me more determined to become a better player. I need to get bigger and stronger. I need to work on my moves close to the basket. I know what I have to do now. I feel like I can play against bigger players.”

He’s well on his way to becoming a major player of impact for the Scarlet Raiders.