SVEN ALSKOG
Staff Writer
When Idaho State University graduates Ashleigh Vella and John van Vliet exited Pocatello for their futures, each ventured all the way to Durham, England, to further their educations and continue their athletic pursuits.
Vella was a member of the 2011-2012 Big Sky conference champion women’s basketball team, and van Vliet a big part of the Bengal offensive line in previous seasons. Each has the opportunity to continue participation in their respective sports across the Atlantic Ocean, all while also taking part in coaching and pursuing master’s degrees.
While the transition to a foreign country can be challenging to many, for Vella, the experience is one that is not uncommon as she is originally from Melbourne, Australia.
“England has a very similar culture to Australia so I feel very comfortable here,” said Vella.
Her experience with worldwide travel has helped make the transition smoother for van Vliet, who is also her boyfriend.
“Having Ashleigh here has been a tremendous blessing,” said the former Bengal lineman. “She came to Durham a few days before I did, so she helped me get situated in the town when I arrived.”
He added, “She is a savvy world traveler and helped my Idaho farmer-boy self adjust.”
One of the benefits of heading all the way to England for football in van Vliet’s case is that he will be able to help teach the sport to many students who are not as familiar with it as we are here in the United States. It is the first year that American football is a sanctioned university sport. The team plays in the British University American Football League (BUCS).
For Vella, the story is much the same, as the graduate from ISU will continue her education and participation in basketball while also handling a coaching role. Player-coaches for each sport are a rarity in the United States, but the chance for both to share the game they love with others and also the ability to continue playing is one that was hard to turn down in England.
“I was really unsure of what I wanted to do after I graduated ISU,” said Vella. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue playing, get into coaching or pursue a master’s degree. I looked into each of these options. After I found Durham University I realized I would be able to do all three. It seemed like a perfect fit.”
She will be pursuing her post-graduate degree in education. Van Vliet, who holds an undergraduate degree in journalism, will pursue a master’s in European international relations. Vella hopes to become a basketball coach, while van Vliet has aspirations of a career in journalism. The native of Twin Falls has already prepared himself well in that regard, contributing as a writer for both the “Idaho State Journal” and “The Bengal”, along with working in the ISU sports information department.
Inside the classroom, any courses with a focus on anything to do with the United States can create interesting moments for the two.
“For me, there really has been no challenge being here in England. I really enjoy adapting to new cultures,” said van Vliet. “One fun and interesting adjustment is being the only American in a classroom of 20, especially when that class is about American Foreign Policy. I suddenly became an ambassador and apologist for everything America has ever done in the world, right or wrong.”
The diversity at Durham University is something that both have enjoyed so far.
“On our American football team alone, we have Brits, Scots, Irish, Germans, Iranians, Mexicans, Lithuanians and one guy from Kuwait. Classrooms are even more diverse than that,” said van Vliet.
While the transition to England has been about as smooth as either could have hoped, finding the right balance of school and athletics has proven to be difficult.
“The biggest challenge right now for me is juggling all of my commitments here,” said Vella. “Here at Durham, I am a part-time student, playing for the university’s basketball team and delivering about 15 hours a week of coaching basketball sessions in the surrounding community of Durham. I have a lot more commitments here and juggling all of [them] has been challenging.”
Having the opportunity to continue doing what they love, all while doing so in a beautiful setting helps to make the experience a worthwhile one.
“The one thing that has stood out here in Durham is the amount of history that surrounds us,” said van Vliet. “At the heart of the city is the Durham Cathedral, built in 1093 AD. A pub called the Shakespeare was built in the 1490s. You can feel the ancient life. It is an absolute joy to hear the Durham Cathedral bells ring throughout the town on a Sunday morning.”
It has been a similar story for Vella.
“Walking down the cobblestone streets and being able to walk into one of the oldest cathedrals in England is a pretty amazing experience,” said the former ISU women’s basketball player.
She hopes to continue forward with a career related to basketball in some way when she is done at Durham University.
“My career goal is be a basketball coach,” said Vella. “Where that is, is really up to where I end up. I have many plans to travel, so I don’t have a particular place where I want to end up. But I just really want to be involved in basketball somewhere.”
Van Vliet, alongside five other former American college football players, is looking to bring his passion and understanding of American football to the members of the Durham team.
“Competition here does not even compare to what I experienced at ISU,” said van Vliet. “The league consists of ex-rugby and cricket players who want to learn American football. There are some great athletes here, they just don’t know the sport, so [we] Americans dominate most of the time. Our team is progressing very well and we have hopes of being British national champions.”
All other things aside, the two are sure to represent ISU well during their time in England, as they look to reach their career goals overseas.
