By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The streak began on Dec. 29, 2010 at a holiday tournament hosted by Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va.
Shawn Yard of Brockton was a sophomore guard on the Bridgewater State University men's basketball team when he made the first start of his collegiate career that night.
For 74 consecutive games now, Yard has been the Bears' starting point guard, helping BSU make the NCAA Div. 3 tournament in the 2010-11 season and earn a trip to the ECAC Div. 3 tourney last season.
Yard will make his 75th start in a row for the Bears on Tuesday night when they host Fitchburg State in the quarterfinal round of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference tourney at 7 p.m. at the Tinsley Center.
"A lot is expected of him,'' said BSU coach Joe Farroba. "He runs our offense, sets the tone on defense for us. He's been good. I was very tough on him, very demanding. All in all, he's been a very good point guard for us.''
Said Yard: "Playing at Bridgewater has helped me grow as a man and a basketball player. I've stayed focused and positive through the ups and downs.''
After being part of the 2008-09 Brockton High team that won the Div. 1 South title, Yard appeared in only six games at a freshman at BSU, sitting behind senior Matt McLaughlin as the Bears advanced to the NCAAs.
It was a learning experience for Yard as he watched McLaughlin and prepared for the future.
"Not only watching Matty helped, but he helped me by talking to me every day,'' said Yard. "He kept me positive, kept my head up, made sure I stayed focus so I'd be ready to play my sophomore year.
"It was extremely difficult (not playing), probably one of the most difficult things I had to deal with while playing basketball. I don't know how much it helped, but I am sure it didn't hurt. It definitely motivated me.''
Yard sprained an ankle during training camp in his sophomore year and came off the bench the first seven games before entering the starting lineup for good. He averaged 6.4 points and led the team with 103 assists to go with 56 steals.
As a junior, Yard averaged 7.3 points and had 109 assists and 58 steals, and his production has increased as a senior. Yard has had to produce more offensively and is second on the team in scoring (12.9) and is averaging 6.2 assists and 2.9 steals.
"I'm definitely doing more scoring, more than I have at Bridgewater,'' said Yard. "I'm basically trying to do whatever the team needs me to do to win. I try to play to help the young kids understand the urgency that there is.''
Yard had 24 points while playing all 40 minutes in a 67-64 loss to the Mass. College of Liberal Arts to close the regular season on Saturday.
Now, he gets to play one last game at the Tinsley Center as the Bears try to advance to the semifinal round later in the week.
"I feel like it's the same as high school, enjoy the four years because it flies by,'' said Yard. "It's crazy. My first year was a while ago, but you still remember everything you did your freshman year.
"I've got a lot of memories (playing at home). There's been a lot of big games, a lot of overtime games, a lot of big crowds. The gym is amazing. We had big crowds all the time.''