Jon Han ’09 sat down with a tired expression on his face – a product of 40 grueling minutes of repeatedly running Fairfield’s offense up and down the court.
Moments later, his head coach joined him.
“Jon and I will watch a lot of film tomorrow. Won’t we, Jon?” asked Head Coach Ed Cooley, with a wide grin on his face and a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Following an early-season scrimmage against the University of Bridgeport, Cooley admitted to feeling calm and optimistic.
Han did not share that feeling.
In the back of his mind, Han knew that night in the pressroom was the first night of many to come – nights marked with passion and exhaustion, pain and exhilaration.
The regular season was yet to come, but the uphill battle facing the point guard was beginning to rear its ugly head.
During the 2006 season, Han blended nicely in the backcourt, with guard Michael Van Schaick ’07 relishing the task of role player.
He enjoyed a breakout season, averaging 7.7 points per game and finishing second on the team in overall minutes played.
Han may have been the point guard, but anyone close to the team knew Van Schaick’s importance in every facet of the game. Whether it was in the huddle, on the court or in the locker room, the Stags belonged to Van Shaick.
This time around, as the eldest returning starter, Han has inherited that vacant leadership role.
“That’s what I expect of him,” said Cooley, referring to Han’s newfound role of team leader. “I don’t just expect Jon to raise his level of intensity; I expect the whole team to raise its intensity.”
However, intensity is not the issue.
One of the most telling early season moments for the Stags, and in Han’s career, came in an altercation and potential brawl during the Stags’ game against Holy Cross.
In the beginning of the second half, Crusaders’ guard Kyle Cruze viciously elbowed Han – a culmination of the two tussling back-and-forth for the entire first half.
A seething Han jumped to his feet and attempted to retaliate but was restrained by his teammates.
“I was angry at [Cruze]. He knew it as soon as he hit me,” said Han.
While a sign of aggression is far from the best mark of a leader, Han handled the fallout of the near fight with class.
“I was really disappointed [in what I did]. I have to apologize to the people watching me, but it was a reaction,” said Han, his voice marked with remorse. “It was the heat of the moment.”
From that very moment against Holy Cross, as he sat in disgust with a gory face and a broken nose, Han has been a veritable man on a mission.
He has led the Stags in scoring in three consecutive games, including a compelling second-half comeback over American University on the road and an emotional victory over Sacred Heart.
Han led the Stags’ comeback against Sacred Heart to defeat their cross-town opponents. Fairfield and Sacred Heart packed the stands for the game, which was highly promoted and successful.
“The leadership of Jon Han is really coming on,” said Cooley. “We may need to break his nose every day if we are going to get this kind of performance. If Jon continues to [play well], we have a chance to be pretty decent.”
In fact, his early season results even eclipse those of his predecessor.
One year ago, facing a daunting out-of-conference schedule, Van Schaick totaled 41 points.
But Han has started his season with 63 points in five games against similar competition.
The most important stat, though, is that this season’s version is 2-3 through five games. Their counterparts one season ago were without a win.
While there is little doubt that Han can thrive as the team’s leading option on the floor, it remains to be seen whether he can play the role of motivator with the same success.
His teammates maintain that they are already witnessing Han develop into a more vocal leader.
“I think mentally we are trying to find ourselves and find our roles on the team, and Jon is a big part of that,” said forward Greg Nero ’10.
“When we have that kind of leadership out on the floor it makes things a lot easier for us big men and everyone else on the court.”
He has been able to contribute not only through scoring but also by finding his teammates. He is averaging six assists per game, which is currently the best in the MAAC.
Han may still have a year to go in his Fairfield career, but this season will likely indicate if Han can transition from the backseat to the spotlight.
“[Cooley] has faith in me. I think in big games I have to prepare my team and lead my team,” said Han.
Make no mistake; the Stags are now his team.
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