U.'s DuBois making a difference on and off the floor

“It comes from realizing how lucky our situation is as college athletes,’’ he says. “Just look at the stuff we’re wearing and all the stuff people get here. There’s not many places in this world where they give you free clothes. So that alone makes me want to help someone else. Because it took someone else to help get me to where I am now.’’

Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak can’t say enough about DuBois and how he’s helped his younger teammates through his example.

“I think it’s pretty neat,’’ Krystkowiak says of DuBois’s giving attitude. “It isn’t an easy gig punching in six days a week for college basketball and all the requirements academically and going to class every day. You get a Sunday off and to reach out and help people is huge. Jarred’s been instrumental in teaching some of our freshmen about that service.’’

Krystkowiak says that DuBois and teammates have even taken the coach’s oldest son, Cam, out with them to feed the homeless, which has been a great learning experience for him. “We’ve got a good group of guys,’’ Krystkowiak says.

On the court, DuBois has also been a leader, taking on any role the Utes throw at him. He has started most of the year, but also came off the bench for a few games when the Utes asked him to.

“He’s an intelligent player and he’s made a nice progression,’’ Krystkowiak said. “He’s a solid player, a great kid. I’m really pulling for him and want him to finish on a great run. Were going to need his leadership, playmaking and his scoring.’’

For DuBois, his decision to come to Utah has been a good one. He took advantage of the NCAA’s graduate transfer exception rule that others such as former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson have used. It allows graduates of one school with eligibility remaining to enroll in another school’s graduate program that is not offered at their former school and then play right away.

“It’s been a great experience on and off the court,’’ DuBois said. “I’ve been able to make a difference, which is something I take pride in. I’ve been able to make an impact on the young guys’ careers both on and off the court.’’

DuBois’ impact on the basketball floor for the Utes may be seen in the coming years as players such as Brandon Taylor, Dakarai Tucker and Justin Seymour continue to develop. He hopes his impact helping the less fortunate in the community will last even longer.

“We’ll keep doing this as long as I’m here and the freshmen will continue after I leave,’’ he says. “And the people that come after them will continue when they come. So hopefully it will be something that 10 years from now, will still be going. Who knows, by then we might be handing out full meals.’’

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