The chant started slowly and gained momentum, until it spread throughout McArthur Court Saturday afternoon.
“Kaela, Kaela, Kaela.”
Kaela Chapdelaine left an impact unseen on highlight reels or stat sheets. Her impact was measured in the little things she did that made the difference between wins and losses.
She dove for loose balls. She made the smart pass. She gave advice.
When Chapdelaine’s tenure with the Oregon women’s basketball team ends, likely at this week’s Pacific-10 Conference Tournament, it brings an end to a memorable college career.
Chapdelaine is Oregon’s final tie to the Ducks’ last NCAA Tournament team in 2004-05.
As the lone senior on a young roster this season, Chapdelaine helped six new freshmen find their way and showed them the work ethic necessary to becoming regular NCAA Tournament participants.
On Saturday, the Oregon basketball program celebrated Chapdelaine’s impact with in a pre-game ceremony before the Ducks faced Oregon State.
Family, a high school friend, men’s basketball player Ray Schafer and his wife and former Oregon teammates awaited Chapdelaine on the court. She emerged and hugged current teammates and coaches.
She moved to the court, and while revealing her emotions, shared hugs with her family and friends. But as soon as the ceremony ended, she refocused on winning her final Civil War.
“(My teammates) know that’s all I care about,” Chapdelaine said. “When all is said and done I just want to win the game.”
The final season has been a difficult one for the native of the small town of Okotoks in Alberta, Canada. Chapdelaine and her teammates had high expectations following a postseason appearance in 2006-07.
Injuries and a seven-game losing streak have essentially ended any postseason aspirations, but with three wins in Oregon’s last four games, the Ducks are carrying momentum into the Pac-10 Tournament and next season.
Seeing progress is great and if she helped play a part, so much the better, says Chapdelaine, who plans on following the team from afar next season.
But she will not be looking for her fingerprints, satisfied to let someone else to inherit the leadership role.
“Whatever I’ve done here that’s great but when I’m done, I’m done here,” Chapdelaine said.
Chapdelaine looks back further than this season and the long list of players she shared a uniform with during her time in Eugene. Three notable former teammates joined her Saturday in Jessie Shetters, Yadili Okwumabua and Cathrine Kraayeveld.
“There’s something bigger than you when you come into a Division I program and especially at Oregon I think there’s a real sense of family,” Chapdelaine said. “It was just really nice to have those girls comeback and support me.”
Chapdelaine, who was always quick to deflect attention, placed the spotlight on her game following a 25-point performance against UCLA that included six made three-pointers.
Her shot was off against Oregon State, so did she did what good players do. She adjusted and helped in other ways. She used her vision and found teammates for easy scores.
Ellie Manou was often the recipient of Chapdelaine’s passes for wide-open lay-ups. It was no coincidence that Manou had a career night, posting 18 points and six rebounds.
Afterwards, the question about Oregon’s next leader was raised to point guard Tamika Nurse, who becomes a senior next season and plays a position known for its inherent leadership qualities.
“You can’t replace Kaela Chapdelaine,” Nurse said. “It doesn’t happen. I can do what I can but I’m never going to be Chap. She is just an incredible person. On and off the floor she knew how to lead in ways that are exceptional. She was kind of bred for leadership.”
Chapdelaine’s statistics of 7.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and four assists a game reflect her all-around impact, and for her, it’s not what she’s done. What’s more exciting to her is the promising future of her teammates.
“What’s important to me is that they’re successful, they’re having fun and they’re just winning games,” Chapdelaine said.
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