Bailey Amundsen

The senior from Hoover High School and Reedley College walked-on to the Fresno State women’s basketball team and eventually earned a scholarship while becoming one of the most prolific three-point shooters in program history. Amundsen talked to VSP President George Takata after Fresno State’s 70-47 loss to Cal in the NCAA Tournament about her future, favorite memories as a Bulldog, and making her dream of playing Division I basketball come true.

GEORGE TAKATA: Talk about your final game. You guys had plenty of opportunites, but couldn’t convert.
BAILEY AMUNDSEN: We were in there in the beginning and we came out in the second half knowing that we needed to pick it up a little bit. We couldn’t trade baskets and we had too many defensive breakdowns. We just couldn’t hang anymore.

GT:Tough way to go out?
BA: Very tough. I just got done crying and everyone’s shedding their tears, but we knew it was coming eventually. But it’s still very surreal, very sad.

GT: What’s in store for you in the future?
BA: I don’t know I want to become a coach, so another semester of school after this and then we’ll see.

GT: How much fun has this been for you?
BA: It’s been a great two years here. I love my teammates. I couldn’t ask for better teammates or coaching staff. I’m glad I went here (to Fresno State).

GT: Despite not winning an NCAA Tournament game, you definitely have a lot to be proud of.
BA: So much to be proud of. We tied (the program record) for most wins. It’s great to be part of that team and to be considered a leader of that team. I’m just really proud of all of us. I’m very very happy to end my career this way, as back-to-back WAC champions, back-to-back tournament champions, into the (NCAA) tournament for the first two times in school history. Very happy.

GT: What’s your favorite memory of being a Bulldog?
BA: I don’t know. First making it on to the team last year was big. Playing division one ball has always been a dream, so I’m really happy with it all. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

GT: Can this program continue to grow and win an NCAA Tournament game with the nucleus of players they have returning?
BA: Definitely. This team is full of talent and they’re just recruiting more talent. I think they’ll get back here every year. They’ll have a great team again.

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