Duvivier Ready For Beavers Without Borders
Oregon State rising junior men’s basketball player Malcolm Duvivier will leave Saturday to the Dominican Republic as part of the Beavers Without Borders International Service Learning Program.
This will be the second straight year a group has gone to the Dominican Republic. Other Beavers Without Borders stops, where student-athletes assist with a major service project, include Macedonia, Guatemala and Ethiopia.
Current or former Oregon State student-athletes joining Duvivier on this year’s trip are: Erika Aufiero (gymnastics), David Boldt (men’s soccer), Sara Cerami (gymnastics), Katelyn Driscoll (volleyball), Annie Govig (women’s soccer), Deven Hunter (women’s basketball) and Jaime Wright (gymnastics).
Duvivier will be the sixth Oregon State men’s basketball student-athlete to participate in the program, joining Kyle Bjornstad, Kevin McShane, Joe Burton, Roberto Nelson and Langston Morris-Walker.
What made you decide to participate in this year’s Beavers Without Borders trip?
DUVIVIER: “When I first came to Oregon State, at the BEST Bridge Program there was a segment where they showed us a video about Beavers Without Borders. It showed me that life is bigger than just basketball and bigger than sports. It’s about helping people. I saw that video and how those players went there and how much of an impact they made in the lives of a family by putting in one week’s worth of work.
“I saw the impact and I told myself that it’s something I want to do during my four years here at Oregon State. I want to have the opportunity to go to a different country and make a difference. (Oregon State Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA) Marianne Vydra came to me with the opportunity to go and it was something I had to do.
“I’m a giving person and I really want to make a difference in the world. One of the biggest things I want to do is help other people and help other communities. Having the opportunity to go to a different country and help people who are way more unfortunate than we are, is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
What have you heard about Beavers Without Borders from other student-athletes who have done the trip?
DUVIVIER: “I’ve heard nothing but great things. Langston went last year and he told me how much the kids appreciate the stuff you’re doing and how much the families appreciate you. It’s not about getting the thanks. It’s knowing you’re going there and doing a good deed. It helps to make you feel better about yourself.
“I think this is a great program and a great opportunity. I’ve heard nothing but the best of things from all of the student-athletes who have gone.”
What do you know about the Dominican Republic?
DUVIVIER: “Not a lot. I know it’s a nice country with beautiful beaches and they thrive off tourists. But they’ve been through a lot of turmoil so it’s a damaged country with a lot of poverty. To have the opportunity to go there and know I can help people and make a difference in someone’s life who is unfortunate is amazing.”
Last year you went to China with the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball All-Star Team. What has made you become such a world traveler?
DUVIVIER: “Basketball has taken me so many different places. It has taken me all over the world. I played on an international team and went to Europe. I went to Mexico and China. I’ve gone so many different places. I’m blessed and happy that all of this hard work that I’ve put into basketball has given me this opportunity. I know life is more than basketball. It’s about making a difference in the world. That’s the main purpose.”
You’re about to become a junior. Can you believe how fast the first two years have gone by and all that you’ve been able to do at Oregon State?
DUVIVIER: “I’ve grown so much the past two years. When I first came to Oregon State, I was a kid. I was an 18-year-old kid and didn’t really know much. These past two years I’ve grown so much as a person, basketball wise and as a person overall. Coach (Tinkle) is always telling us to challenge ourselves every day and get outside of our comfort zone. I try to do that every day by talking to a new person or doing anything to get outside of my comfort zone. It has really helped me grow.
“To know I still have two years left at Oregon State, I’m really excited and want to get the most out it because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You always hear about people who want to get back to their college life. I’m living it right now so I’m trying to take advantage of every opportunity I have and live it to the fullest.”
Let’s switch gears to basketball. How has the spring gone for you and the rest of the team?
DUVIVIER: “The spring has been amazing. The leaps and bounds we’ve jumped since the season ended, like every single person has gotten better and every single person has challenged themselves. Last year was the first year with the new coaches and there was a feeling out process. To know how much we achieved and how close we were to reaching our goals has made everyone want it even more.
“We know this year, if everyone gives that extra effort, that we can do amazing things and do something that all of us will remember for the rest of our lives. We all understand that. That’s what motivates us every single day to give it our all and push ourselves and push each other.
“We still aren’t where we want to be, but we are working hard and everyone has made amazing strides during the offseason. It’s only been three months since the season ended so we still have the whole summer to keep getting better. I’ll be here all summer so I’ll be here getting the young guys ready and try to be that leader.”
Are you ready to welcome the freshmen to Beaver Nation?
DUVIVIER: “I’m ready. We’ve had Derrick Bruce here all spring. That’s been great for him to get out here earlier and get that feel for how it is in an actual college atmosphere. I’ve taken him under my wing and have really tried to help him get use to the university.
“I can’t wait for everyone else to get here and all of the freshmen to get out here. I think the freshmen are all great kids and hungry to get better at basketball. Those are the kind of people I love. So I can’t wait for them to get out here and help get them on track. I want to push them to their limits so they can get better and then have them push us to our limits. That’s what we are going to need; everyone pushing each other if we want to get better every day. I’m very excited for next season.”
