Alan Cole leads through actions

It may be a tired cliche, but Alan Cole knows actions speak louder than words. And when 12 of 16 of Brown basketball team's players are freshmen and sophomores, it is only natural the Brown junior guard would be constantly looked to for leadership. This need for a role model has been especially pressing in the Bears' case because Brown has faced many nationally-ranked teams and even more NCAA Tournament squads from last year. However, Cole was still a bit surprised to be chosen the Bear captain for the 1993-94 season. "When they did that I knew I had to take more of a leadership role," Cole said. "Originally, I'm a really quiet person. They keep telling me I have to talk more and voice my opinion more." One thing Cole certainly needs no encouragement in doing is scoring. He currently leads the Bears while also ranking second in the Ivy League, averaging 15.7 points per game. He is also fifth in both three-point field goals with 34 and free throw percentage at 80.5 percent. And even though Brown was swept this past weekend by Harvard and Dartmouth, the blame can certainly not be placed on Cole's shoulders as he poured in 34 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and got his hands on five steals. According to Brown coach Frank "Happy" Dobbs, Cole is everything an ideal captain should be. "Alan does a lot of things for us," Dobbs said. "He does a lot of scoring and is also a very good defensive player. He's a clutch shooter. When it comes down to crunch time he's going to want the ball. He's already won two games at the buzzer for us. "He leads by example. I think he's very well respected. He has a very hard work ethic, which is part of the reason why he's our captain as a junior. Every day he gives 100 percent, and sees it as a big accomplishment." It didn't take Cole very long to realize as captain his role on the team had dramatically changed. Last year, he was not a regular starter, but still managed to score 9.2 points per game. Back then, the spotlight was on his backcourt mate, Eric Blackiston, then one of the Ivy League's standout freshmen. However, now, as captain, Cole is viewed as the leader, and it has obviously improved his game. "It gave me more responsibility," Cole said. "I have to keep things in control and keep everyone on the same page. It seems like when things aren't going well, I have to help players step up a little. Because I'm not a very vocal person, I try to let my actions speak for themselves." However, Cole originally hoped those actions would speak on the gridiron. When he was younger, he had dreams of becoming a football player. Unfortunately for Cole, by the tender age of just 11, he "grew too many inches and got too skinny." His football coach thus encouraged him to try basketball, and it was a decision that has since paid off. The Jersey City native received scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Florida and Holy Cross, yet it was his coach, Artie Rubin, that really encouraged him to go to Brown, stressing the importance of an education. Dobbs could not have been happier with Cole's decision and the effect he has had on his teammates. "He plays a very big role on our team," Dobbs said. "There is no question that the other players respect what Alan does and in some way try to emulate what he does." As far as Cole's role as team leader, Dobbs has seen a gradual change from the quiet guard to the explosive scorer he is today. "I think he has gotten better and better with his role as captain every day," Dobbs said. "He has gotten more vocal and his teammates are looking to him to provide answers. He's grown into the role very nicely." But for Cole, it is not his words nor his voice that he believes will lead the Bears to victory. It is his actions.