A Spartan’s never gone forever

In the fall of 1984, 17-year-old Sandra DeBruin left her hometown of Beetgum, the Netherlands, to begin her year studying in the United States. Little did she know the changes this would bring to her life.

Fast forward 40 years to Saturday, Dec. 14 as DeBruin is recognized for her accomplishments at halftime during Southwestern women’s basketball’s only home game of the year.

DeBruin came back to Iowa to spend time with her high school host family, the Walters, for a couple of weeks. Anita (Walter) and her family invited DeBruin back to Union County to spend the holidays. This also resulted in a surprise visit to mom Sharon Walter, who took DeBruin home to her Williamson farm all those years ago.

While DeBruin’s time in Iowa was one for catching up, it was also a time for reminiscing. The high school she attended in Prescott closed down in 1990s, followed by the rest of the school district in 2016. While no longer open, the school stays alive in the memories of its students.

DeBruin chose to come to Iowa due to her interest in sports and farm life, something Prescott had in bulk. Although she only competed in track in The Netherlands, DeBruin quickly got involved in more activities when she came stateside. DeBruin specifically became interested in basketball.

“They played six against six for basketball, which was kind of weird. I’d never seen basketball either, so it didn’t matter,” DeBruin said. “But when we played it, I was like, why am I standing here and you guys are running there?”

Though it was only her first year playing basketball, DeBruin’s innate talent was obvious. While acting as referee during one game, Southwestern women’s basketball coach Ron “Fox” Clinton noticed DeBruin.

“I played basketball, and he came over and said, why don’t you come over to the gym one day. We just kind of ran around and played ball and ate lunch,” DeBruin said. “I always remember that because we went to the lunch line and he said, ‘well Sam, you have your college ride.’ We kept contact and I had a scholarship.”

While DeBruin knew where she’d be for college, she still had a couple years of high school to go. After returning to Holland in 1985, DeBruin finished her final two years of education while actively practicing her basketball skills.

Southwestern Community College

While she arrived in Creston in 1987 prepared for basketball, it didn’t take long before DeBruin was thrust into another sport.

“Coach Fox had recruited Sandra. He brought her in and said ‘Rita, she ought to play volleyball for you if she can do it,’” retired SWCC volleyball coach Rita Schroeder said. “She listened, she worked hard, a true competitor. She could push others and our entire team. True athletic ability is simply amazing to watch.”

Schroeder said many had a hard time believing DeBruin had never played volleyball before. During her time on the team, Schroeder said DeBruin helped bring Southwestern to the NJCAA national volleyball tournament, earning an All-American honor herself while doing so. Some larger schools even inquired about DeBruin at the tournament. However, her true love was basketball.

DeBruin was constantly practicing, working with Fox to better her skills and help the team grow.

“Fox and I did a lot together. And he just did one thing at a time. We practiced all together and he learned me how to shoot,” DeBruin said. “The only thing he said is, I had to rebound. All you have to do is rebound. You get the ball and you go up and score. That’s all I did to start with, and automatically you pick up the rest of the stuff.”

DeBruin said starting her athletic career as a runner helped her grow in the other sports, as did Fox’s positivity.

“The basics were good because I was a runner. He said, you can run, you can catch, you can learn basketball. I think it’s also a lot of practice. You just have to keep trying and have a good mindset to it. Fox was always positive. He never told me I wasn’t good enough or that I couldn’t do it. He always said I was good, I did good, and that makes you grow.”

And grow she did, joining her basketball team at the NJCAA national women’s basketball tournament. While many college athletes dream of reaching a national tournament, DeBruin had no idea what to expect.

“I didn’t know what nationals would be. Holland is really tiny. ‘I played on the national team.’ Well, good job,” DeBruin joked. “It was great, we just had a great time. Fox said we’re just going to play ball, and we just played ball.”

After graduation

It was while DeBruin was at the national basketball tournament that she was recruited to Kansas University’s basketball team. After graduating from SWCC in May 1989, DeBruin continued her athletic career as a Jayhawk before returning to The Netherlands in 1991. While at KU, DeBruin studied to be a social worker. She continued in this line of work back home until about 10 years ago. She now manages a daycare.

DeBruin never regretted her decision to come to Iowa. In fact, she encourages parents to send their children abroad for school if they can.

“Everybody should make their child go to another country and just learn that life isn’t everywhere the same,” DeBruin said. “Be open minded about it. It makes life much easier. It’s good for kids to go somewhere else, even for a couple months.”

She had similar advice for young people starting their own study abroad journey.

“I think you have to be open minded. If you always think, in Holland it’s better, we do things this way, well this is the way it is here. When you come here you have to be open minded,” DeBruin said. “I think you just have to be open-minded and work hard and be chill. Just adapt.”

Looking back at her time in Union County, there are plenty of great memories for DeBruin to find. However, one of the things she misses the most is life on the farm.

“I just want to sit there and see the cows going. You can walk out there and not have everyone talking and phone ringing all the time. I like farm life,” DeBruin said. “I live in Holland in a town. All the houses are right next to each other and it’s a street; it looks so different.”

While DeBruin is back to her regular life in The Netherlands now, she knows she always has a place to call home in Union County.