Last year was not the best of times for Northern Essex Community College sophomore Sted Boudeau but, in retrospect, it's looking better all the time.
A star player at Lynn Tech three years ago, when he was the leading scorer in the Commonwealth Conference, Boudeau was forced to sit out the 2008-09 season because of transcript problems following a transfer from Fisher College, where he spent a semester the year before.
"It was tough because I'm a competitor and I felt I could have added some leadership and defense," said Boudeau, who did practice with the Knights while ineligible.
But now, looking back, the year off — which might have discouraged a less resilient student-athlete — may have been the best thing that ever happened to Boudeau.
"It was a blessing in disguise," said Boudeau. "Taking the year off made me realize that education comes first and that's what is important. I had always done the minimum and didn't take school seriously.
"In high school, I'd do whatever I needed to do to stay eligible, and that was it. If I needed a C, I'd do what I had to do just to get a C."
Prodding from NECC head coach Darren Stratton and assistant Joe Tardif helped in the transformation, but added responsibility was an even bigger motivator.
The year after high school, Boudeau became a father, of a little girl named LeAri, a development that — along with long hours working at a full time job — contributed to his exit from Fisher.
Rather than viewing his daughter, who is nearly 2-years-old, as a burden, Boudeau relishes his role as a father and believes it's helped make him focus on academics.
"I grew up quick and matured a lot because of my daughter," said the 20-year-old Boudeau. "She's the best thing that ever happened to me and there is nothing better than spending time with her."
And Boudeau is doing his best to spend a lot of time with his daughter. On days when he doesn't have classes, he's usually busy with child care while his girlfriend, Kardia, attends North Shore Community College. When he's at school, his girlfriend takes care of their daughter.
For financial reasons, they are not living together, each still living with their parents.
"But we're still together," said Boudeau. "We'll definitely get our own place some day."
When Boudeau is on the court, in addition to being one of the most talented Knights, he's perhaps the most mature player, a trait that may reflect his off-court life and which head coach Darren Stratton relishes.
"At Lynn, he was asked to score, but last year I told him I wanted him to be a point guard because he's such a smart player," said Stratton. "He's a calming, steadying influence on the other players — he's always in someone's ear, but in a nice way.
"He's really like having a coach on the floor, which I haven't had since (Ryan) Middlemiss. He also does all the little things you don't see in the box score."
Indeed, through six games of an up-and-down 3-3 start, Boudeau is doing a little bit of everything, averaging 10 points a game, 7.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 steals.
After another year at Northern Essex, Boudeau hopes to take his skills and increased academic awareness to a four-year school, something Stratton believes will be no problem.
"He needs a little weight room work, but I know he'll play at least Division 3," said Stratton. "Westfield State already wants him."
Whoever ultimately lands Boudeau will have someone, says Stratton, who is — thanks to fatherhood — far more mature and ready to go than your normal 21-year-old.
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