Junior Edin Suljic is a first-year transfer forward on the men’s basketball team from Ellsworth Fall Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Suljic’s journey to Eastern was unlike most students as he was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, before moving to the United States at the age of 14. Suljic sat down with Assistant Sports Editor Dan Cusack to talk about his new team, what he misses about his home country and the biggest influence on his basketball career.

What has been your favorite part at Eastern?

Well, I like that it’s new. I come from a community college.

Eastern is much bigger, and there are a lot more things to do. I like the focus – everything is about basketball. I also like the coaches.

What made you choose Eastern?

Mostly the coaching staff, and I came on a visit with some of the guys on the team and I liked them.

I just wanted the opportunity to play Division I basketball.

How do you think your team looks so far this season?

We look good. We just have to come out and practice everyday. We’ve got to stay focused, you know. At times we look real good and sometimes we’ll come out and not look so hot.

Some times we are not playing as hard, not doing the things we have to do like execute.

Who has been influential on your sports career?

I would have to say my junior college coach. He pushed me.

I learned a lot from him just making that transition from high school to college.

Who has been your biggest sports hero?

Growing up I really liked soccer. I grew up with soccer, and I just watched soccer. When I came over here and started playing basketball, the first person I really liked was Michael Jordan.

When did you come to America?

I came over here when I was fourteen. I came to Connecticut and went (to high school) there for about six months, and then I moved to Iowa.

What was the toughest thing about moving here?

I would definitely have to say the language.

I would go to school and not know what they were talking about.

I would just be sitting there in class. You know, as time went by, I was able to learn and understand the language.

What do you miss

about Bosnia?

The family and friends, and just being at home.

Why did you pick your major?

International business. Because I speak a couple of different languages I thought I could use that.

I speak Bosnian and a little bit of Italian.

Bosnian was my first native language, and Italian, I used to live in Sicily for a little bit like over the summer when I was a little kid so it was easy to pick up.

What’s your favorite dining hall at Eastern?

I would have to say Taylor because I go there the most.

I like all the chicken selections that they have.

What’s on your iPod right now?

I have a little bit of everything on there.

I have some hip-hop, some R&B and a little bit of Bosnian on there.

Do you still talk to your family back home?

Yes. Every time I go home I call my grandmother or my cousins.

How have you liked your teammates so far?

I have been getting along with them real good – everybody.

We have a lot of new guys this year, so we’re all trying to figure out the whole college and Division I basketball thing.

We are all working together.

What are your personal goals for this season?

My personal goal is to be a part of the team (and) to contribute to the team the best I can.

How far do you think your team can go?

We have a lot of potential.

Like I said earlier, we have to go out and execute what the coach wants. The sky is the limit.

What’s different about your previous school and here?

Well, I think there are a lot more guys better at each position. Everyone is better at their positions, so there is a lot more talent. Everyone’s charging at their position.

What do you want to do when your career is over?

I think I maybe want to look into going overseas and playing possibly. If not, I want to play somewhere.

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.

Junior forward Edin Suljic transferred from Ellsworth Community College in Iowa to play for the Panthers and major in business. Suljic scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds in Eastern’s 88-66 exhibition win against Illinois College on Nov. 8 at Lantz

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