Nun-sense

CINCINNATI – When he became Xavier’s coach, Sean Miller quickly discovered who had the most clout in the school’s high-profile men’s basketball program – a 72-year-old nun.

Sister Rose Ann Fleming is such an important part of the sports program that she was added to Xavier’s Athletic Hall of Fame, ranked right up there with coach Pete Gillen, center Tyrone Hill and other luminaries.

“She exemplifies what Xavier prides itself on,” Miller said.

Fleming sees to it that players keep their grades up and maintain the Jesuit university’s standing as one of the nation’s best at graduating players. Since Fleming became the academic adviser in 1985, all 60 basketball players who finished their careers at Xavier have graduated.

“She’ll come in and stop practice if she wants to,” said Keith Jackson, the only senior on the current team. “She’s got that much say-so on this campus. She’s over everybody in terms of what she does and her importance on this campus.”

The 6,600-student college didn’t have a full-time academic adviser for athletes until 1985. Fleming, who was teaching English and fiction while finishing her business degree at Xavier, had success working with several basketball players.

She was offered the newly created position and quickly accepted.

“The theory at that time was that I was outside the athletic department and they wanted someone who did not have any pressure on them to do anything that would be less than the best for the players,” she said. Fleming grew up in Cincinnati and played various sports at the College of Mount St. Joseph. She was a forward on the basketball team and had a decent shot.

“They let me play, so I guess it wasn’t that bad,” she said, laughing.

She was president of a high school and Trinity College before winding up at Xavier, where it didn’t take her long to let everyone know she was serious about her latest job. If a player wasn’t keeping up in the classroom, Fleming would hunt him down during practice or after a game. On at least one occasion, she went looking for a player after an NCAA Tournament game.

“That time has probably come and gone a little bit,” said Miller, in his first season as head coach. “I think they respect her so much she doesn’t need to go to that level as much now as she did early on. When she needs a player, they go to see her. That’s how it should be.”

The university emphasizes a well-rounded education – players must take philosophy and theology, for example. The school sets higher standards than the NCAA minimums for eligibility. Coaches look for players who are committed to getting an education, a point that’s driven home to recruits when they visit Fleming.

Fleming and her staff help players on Xavier’s 17 teams. Fleming’s office walls are covered with team photos and mementos of lasting friendships formed over the years.

“There’s a little bit of the terribly concerned and loving grandmother in her,” said the Rev. Michael Graham, the school’s president. “She conveys that to students. She’s for them; she’s on their side. She’ll do anything to help them succeed.”