Feb. 14, 2001

by Ken Kleppel

Freshman guard Chris Markwood earned a reputation executing transition basketball on the hard court.

Who could believe his first several weeks at Notre Dame would be defined by an ability to perform other kinds of transition off the court?

But Markwood is doing just fine.

“Whatever comes, comes. I just go with the flow,” says Markwood.

At home in Dillon Hall, Markwood describes himself as a “chill kid-just laid back.”

Appearances can be deceiving. That is, being unique has always mattered to Markwood.

As only the second player on Notre Dame’s all-time roster from the state of Maine, Markwood is also the first guard in Notre Dame history to wear number 51.

“Everyone asks me about it,” shrugs Markwood.

“I like that though. I like to be a little different on the court.”

While the media guide will demonstrate these outward examples, a natural ability to adjust is the real difference maker.

Like Clark Kent becomes Superman, so too can Markwood adjust to the elements and thrive.

“I am a nice guy who loves being around people,” says Markwood.

“But when I step on the court, it is a different world. I am intense. You’re not going to see me smile a lot when I get out there. For me it’s not a job at all, but something I take very seriously. My high school coach said once ‘If it doesn’t mean anything to you, there is no point being out there.’

“You have to pour everything you have into it if it means something to you. When I’m out there, I’m working hard. I’ve always been determined at what I am doing. I am just going to go as hard as I can.”

Such an attitude was put to the test immediately in fall conditioning drills when Markwood was not 100 percent due to a knee injury.

“I came here and went to individual workouts in the fall but I wasn’t able to explode in certain ways and I couldn’t jump near as high as I could before,” says Markwood, who fails to recall when the injury first transpired.

“I just wasn’t quick. (Athletic trainer) Skip (Meyer) ended up doing a couple strength tests on me, and with an MRI, we finally figured out what it was.”

Season-ending surgery on Sept. 29, repaired a small divot in the cartilage of his left knee that plagued Markwood since the onset of his senior season at South Portland High School, and was essentially misdiagnosed until this past September.

Yet in a season in which he spent more time in the training room than on the hard court, Markwood will not let this 2000-01 campaign be defined by what could have been.

Instead, Markwood is focused on his response.

“My knee is definitely getting better. Where the surgery took place, it is healed. I was non-weight bearing for six weeks so I lost a lot of muscle mass. That’s where I’m having the trouble right now is getting my strength back in the quad. I’ve been working around the weight room with (strength and conditioning coach Tony) Rolinski and in the training room with Skip Meyer. I’ve made a lot of progress and I’m looking forward to making even more.”

After six weeks on crutches and several more in rehabilitation, Markwood was finally able to practice again in mid-January.

“Skip Meyer and Coach Rolinski have been the two main guys in my process of coming back,” says Markwood.

Sophomore guard Matt Carroll places the credit elsewhere.

“I give him a lot of recognition for how he has handled it. It’s got to be tough, not playing out there. Sitting on the bench and not being able to suit up at the beginning of the year has to be so hard. He’s been handling it great. He’s a great student and he’s been doing very well with it.”

Perhaps Markwood has known no other way.

Born in North Carolina, Markwood immediately moved to Maine following his adoption by Alison Jacobs and Bob Grove-Markwood. However, he soon relocated to Minnesota, where his mother began her ministry as pastor. He spent three and a half years away from Maine before moving back in the fall of his freshman year of high school.

Although his parents divorced when Markwood was just three years of age, he remains admittedly close to each. Both serving as pastors, they have left an indelible mark on Markwood.

“I’ve spent my life going to church,” says Markwood.

“It was a big thing when both of your parents were pastors.”

“He has a great personality,” continues Carroll.

“We live in the same dorm and I enjoy just hanging out with Chris because he is a nice kid and fun to be around. He’s a great all-around person.”

Such a description would surely make Markwood a perfect fit for the Notre Dame community.

However, he was relying more on the academic spirit of the University than anything else when he declined offers from schools in the Big Ten, BIG EAST, as well as local powers Northeastern and Maine to become a Domer.

“Notre Dame was one of the first big Division I schools who started to show a lot of interest in me and they stuck with me all through the summer and my senior year,” says Markwood.

“But the tradition of Notre Dame and the academics made it the best choice in the eyes of my family and me. We all thought I couldn’t go wrong coming here.”

Irish head coach Mike Brey’s emergence had an impact as well.

“When (former) Coach (Matt) Doherty left I talked to my parents and it was the same thing. The advantages of the University itself outweighed anything else. I knew Coach Brey was a great coach and I didn’t have any problem coming out here.”

Now after a full month of practice, Markwood has taken note of some key differences between the high school and collegiate style of play.

“The physicality of the game is amazing. It is very physical when you have guys like Ryan Humphrey and Harold Swanagan knocking into you every day at practice,” Markwood says.

“I haven’t had the chance yet to get on the court and play against some other teams, but I think the main differences are the physicality of the game and the speed of the game. Your decisions have to be that much quicker. There are a lot of things you can get away with in high school that you don’t have a chance of getting away with at this level.”

What Markwood got away with in high school is likely much less than what he actually earned.

Despite missing the first several weeks of his senior season with the injured left knee, Markwood was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Maine and honored as the Gatorade Maine Player of the Year in 2000.

Under head coach Tony DiBiase, Markwood established the school record for career points at South Portland High School with 1,083. Leading his Red Riots to an appearance in the Western Final of the Class A tournament he averaged 16 points, nearly five rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in 1999-2000 and finished just two victories shy of a state championship.

Markwood earned the Gene Hunter Award recognizing South Portland’s most valuable player and was designated a team captain both his junior and senior seasons. Markwood was also nominated for McDonald’s All-American honors as a senior.

Notwithstanding such prep success, three summers of AAU basketball helped open his personal window of opportunity.

“AAU was probably what propelled me in getting to this level,” says Markwood, whose Maine Hoops squad captured three state championships and made three trips to nationals.

“Coming out of Maine, there are not a lot of kids who get serious looks. Even though there are some very good players in Maine, they haven’t gained the respect yet. Playing AAU ball was an outlet for me to get out and play against top-notch players and show I can compete against top competition.”

In this struggle for respect, Markwood found an inspiration.

“I idolized Michael Jordan and he was the main reason I started playing the game. I was really in awe of him ? the way he played, led his team and the respect he earned from all the other players. He took care of business and did it the right way and in the right manner.”

Markwood has certainly followed the example.

“The main thing for me is that I just want to work hard all summer and be ready to contribute in any way I can.

“There are times when you feel like you’re not part of the team. You’re at practice everyday and know you’re part of the team, but you’re not out there contributing. It was hard for me, but my goal is to come back, proving not only to myself but to these guys, I can play at this level and really help them.”

His teammates have already taken note of the effort.

“We haven’t had a chance to see the real Chris Markwood,” says junior forward David Graves.

“He is very talented and knows how to play the game. He’s real quick, he gets in the lane and creates a lot of shots. He’s kind of full-tilt now. I’m really excited about getting a chance to play with him next year.”

Markwood is just as excited.

“I come and play hard. I am very unselfish. I try to impose my will on the defensive end of the court first of all. I love playing defense and love playing hard, athletic and quick. I like getting into the open court and showing people different things. I don’t do one certain thing better than the other. I feel I am a pretty well-rounded player and try to bring all sorts of different things to the table.”

“I think Chris Markwood is going to be an extremely good player,” replies Carroll.

“He has a lot of talent. He has a great shooting touch. He’s very strong ? probably one of the strongest guards on the team. He’s quick and I think he knows how to play the game.”

“It has been hard the last couple years,” says Markwood.

“Now I feel I’m heading in the right direction. I feel it will take a lot of hard work and determination to get back to where I want to be. I’m getting close and looking forward to keep working and getting back to that pedestal.”

It will be just a matter of time before we find out exactly how high that pedestal stands.

How long until Midnight Madness?