In basketball, a player that can do two things well is often called a double threat. Chaese Vaudrin, recent graduate and former captain of the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes Basketball Team, was certainly a double threat on the court as a scorer and playmaker. Off the court, he has another side to him that might be surprising to GT basketball fans, but it also makes an impact on those who know him. 

Chaese, a native of Uniontown, OH, explains that he was not particularly considering Geneva College until cousin and Golden Tornadoes’ volleyball player, McKala King, decided to visit and hinted that Chaese should take a look as well. “Geneva wasn’t really on my radar initially,” Chaese reveals, “but with a little push from McKala and a call from Coach Santarsiero, I found myself here in the fall.”

Looking back, it’s safe to say that this was a good decision. Chaese became a leader in the revitalization of the Geneva Basketball culture by pouring in over 1000 points and over 400 assists in his collegiate career. 

On the hardwood, Chaese was a fiery competitor who demanded the same effort he put in day in and day out from himself and others. However, off the court he is laid back and a joy to be around. Teammate Matt Dragan says about the two versions of Chaese on and off the floor, “He’s tough. I never met a more competitive individual, but he’s also one of my closest friends. I think that he’s a great leader on and off the floor. He can be the funniest person in the locker room and the most critical on the court and I think both sides are good. His honesty helps me push myself to be a better basketball player.”

What pleases colleagues most about Chaese is not his ability to make seemingly effortless no-look passes or knife through defenses with only a spin move, but rather his relationship with Christ. Chaese is a member of Geneva’s chapter of The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), an organization that brings students together who are trying to build a closer relationship to Jesus Christ.

“God really took me through some adversity that I had never faced before in order to show me how to handle it like a man and use those experiences to be a better person,” Chaese says. “My friendships were such a critical part of my fight during adversity. Without my friends, I do not know if I would be where I am today. I will never forget the memories I created in my time here with some lifelong friends,” he concludes.

All in all, people like Chaese are hard to come by, a leader in every aspect who challenges himself and everyone around him to be better than what they were. Head Basketball Coach Jeff Santarsiero talks about Chaese's growth, “It has been exciting to see Chaese grow into a leader. He has all the qualities - passion, commitment, skill - but the most important quality he embodies, especially this year, is selflessness. He is always willing to help others in all aspects of their needs as student-athletes.” He adds, “Whether it be on the court, classroom or socially, Chaese is continuing to learn and will be an able mentor as he leaves Geneva and serves an ever-changing world.”

As Chaese moves on with his undergraduate degree in Psychology, he is prepared to make an impact in the world starting with graduate work at Ashland University.  

- Gregory Beechaum ‘18