Bond between Cohen, McKeown formed early on
During the recruiting process, Alex Cohen, a 6-foot-5 center out of suburban Milwaukee, bonded almost immediately with Northwestern coach Joe McKeown.
But their connection had nothing to do with basketball.
Two of the most special people in their lives share a condition that can be both a struggle and an inspiration at the same time.
Cohen's older brother Aaron, and McKeown's son Joey both have autism.
“I felt like that was an instant connection between me and coach McKeown,” Cohen said. “We've been through similar experiences with our families and that created something special between us. Our families really connected.”
Cohen, a senior, is now in the twilight of her time at Northwestern. But she has been busy over her four years.
She immediately became active in the Autism Speaks U organization on campus, serving as the chapter's president during her sophomore and junior years. This year, she became vice president so that she could focus her attention on creating a formal fundraising gala for the organization. “NU Goes Blue” raised nearly $20,000 for autism awareness in October.
Cohen has also been active in helping organize Northwestern's annual “Autism Awareness” game, held this season in December against Loyola.
For her efforts, Cohen was recently named to the 2015 Allstate Women's Basketball Coaches Association Good Works Team, one of only five female Division I athletes to receive such an honor.
She will be flown down to Tampa in April, to be recognized at the Women's Final Four. That is, if she's not down there already with the Wildcats.
That's the other thing Cohen's been busy doing: helping to resurrect the women's basketball team at Northwestern.
The 22-6 Wildcats, winners of eight games in a row, are ranked No. 25 in the country and in the midst of their best season in years.
Northwestern hadn't won at least 21 games since the 1992-93 season, and now the Wildcats are in position to record the most wins in program history. That mark sits at 24.
With 20-plus wins and key victories over (then-No. 18) DePaul, (then-No. 20) Michigan State and No. 20 Rutgers on Thursday, the NCAA Tournament should also be firmly within grasp. The Wildcats haven't made the tournament since 1997.
“I think it's been a lot of things that have made us successful this year,” said Cohen, who has started all 28 games and averages 8.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. “We all worked really hard over the summer. We had a pretty good season last year (17-16) and we knew we returned most of our players. I think we were confident that if we kept working hard, we had more wins in us.”
On Sunday, Cohen and the Wildcats will be seeking their biggest win of the season. They'll be taking on No. 5 Maryland at Welsh-Ryan Arena (noon, Big Ten Network). Before the game, Cohen will be honored as part of Senior Day.
In the stands, as usual, will be her brother Aaron, 23. Aaron is unable to speak, but communicates in many other ways.
“When he's at our games, as soon as I come out (for warm-ups), Aaron will run up and hug me. I love that,” Cohen said. “He loves my basketball games. I'm so glad he comes.
“Aaron has taught me so much. He's had a huge part in making me the person I am. I'm more patient, accepting of others. I would be a completely different person if he wasn't in my life.”
pbabcock@dailyherald.com
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