Worldwide​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ sportsmen college athletes frequently have tales beyond the sports field that they bring with them. Some of these stories come from swimming programs; others are from tennis. Nevertheless, two of the most remarkable career paths to Quincy University this year are those of the hardwood. You probably have noticed them if you have been to a recent men’s basketball game – Tiernan Stynes and Ethan Bolton are a couple of the outstanding performers who made their way from down under to Australia to wear the Quincy Hawks jersey. Besides, If you want to add more fact to Tiernan’s Australian background, his father was a professional AFL (Australian Football) player.

“I really just like that it’s such a high level over here, and obviously the QU Hawk fans they really sold me on it to get over here, so it was a no brainer, really to come over here, and the coaching staff is amazing here” Stynes said.

Tiernan and Ethan were not just to come and get a foreign education and a chance to compete. They came for the opportunity, for the friendship, and for the game which led their lives. Both of them started playing basketball in Australia and their dream was to play on an international stage.

Really, Tiernan is the reason why Ethan is in Quincy at the moment. Tiernan got acquainted with Coach Hoyt and then introduced Ethan to the program after he thought that he would be an excellent Hawk family member. Coach Hoyt also acknowledged the same potential in Tiernan as Tiernan did and consequently, he got an offer. The story of just a simple connection between two friends leading to the life-changing commitment and now, the powerful duo on the court is what it has turned out to ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌be.

Both​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of them were able to fit right into the starting lineup, and show that besides being international recruits, they can make a big impact. They perform at high level every game and bring bright and new energy to the team. On top of their pure basketball skills, the duo from Australia have the perfect basketball “relationship” between them, which is not common to find at this level. The bond they had in Australia is now a strong point of the team as they trust each other more which also increases the overall team trust.

“T encouraged me to come over here and helped me get recruited over here. And American basketball it’s just a high level and I want to get to that level and I enjoy playing here because of the team and we play great together and we have a coaching staff that supports us” Bolton said.

However, the guys have often expressed how hard it is to be separated from their loved ones. Being far from the people they care about and from things they like most in life, Tiernan and Ethan support each other. They became the closest of friends since their coming to America. They consider Quincy, IL to be their home away from home.

They have made good friends with their teammates, and are frequently going together for dinners after the practice or just hanging out and socializing at campus. Whether working on their shots at the gym, or walking through the town of Quincy, or even sharing Aussie stories, the two are hardly ever without other team members. Which has been very important for them.