Seth Tarver is a sophomore on the Oregon State men’s baseball team, and this week’s Everyday Champion. Tarver’s determination and talent can be seen every day, and is supported by the fact that Tarver has the most recorded playing time of any player on the team. He accompanies that with 250 points and 110 rebounds this season. Seth took a moment to discuss life on and off the court.

Q. You have recorded the most playing time of any player on the team. How does it feel to have that kind of support from your coaches?

It feels good to know they have that confidence in me. Especially coming from last year when I didn’t play very much. It just feels good. When people believe in you, it causes you to believe in yourself more.

Q. Your program has gone through a lot of changes this season. How are you working with those changes?

Really we’re just trying to finish this season now. We can’t worry about the changes. Whenever us players get the opportunity to play, that’s all we can do is play the game. Besides that we will improve in the off season. But as far as who’s coaching, who’s going to play and who’s not, we can’t really worry about that. We just have to all play when we get the opportunity.

Q. What is the best part of the game for you?

Basketball in general, but having my teammates is good. It is nice to have people go through experiences with you. But I just like playing.

Q. What has been your toughest challenge individually?

Sometimes off court things affect you. There has been a lot of stuff going on. But you just have to play through it and stay focused on just playing the game and remembering that it is just a game. Once you get on the court that is supposed to be the easy part. So staying focused has been my main goal.

Q. Why did you choose to play at Oregon State?

I’m from Portland, Ore., so it is close to home for me and close for my family. I saw it as an opportunity where I could play a lot and get a lot of minutes and help my team out by being an impact player.

Q. Who motivates you to keep working hard?

It has to be me. You don’t always have somebody there pushing you to work hard, so you have to be self motivated to work hard and to practice on your own.

Q. Who is your biggest influence in getting you into basketball?

My brother, Shon Tarver, he’s 16 years older than me; he was playing high school basketball at the time when I was younger. I just grew up watching him and ever since I can remember I was dribbling around, so he really got me into it.

Q. What is the most important thing you have learned this season?

It’s an ongoing challenge to never give up. No matter what the circumstances look like, you just have to keep fighting. You can’t quit, you just have to keep fighting. Even when you want to give up, you can’t. You have to persevere no matter what. That’s the most important thing.