Umpqua Shooting

Treven Anspach Remembered As Basketball Star, Selfless Protector

By John Sepulvado (OPB)
Oct. 10, 2015 12:37 a.m.
Treven Anspach (right), Jan. 10, 2014.

Treven Anspach (right), Jan. 10, 2014.

Lou Sennick/The World

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

Umpqua Community College student Treven Anspach, 20, was a star basketball player from Sutherlin, Oregon.

Teammates and sports writers alike have noted Anspach was a leader for his teammates, someone who could rally them against opponents from larger schools in southern Oregon.

After he graduated from Sutherlin, Anspach went on to play basketball for Umpqua Community College.
 
Six-foot-four and strong, Anspach dunked on defenders and would score all day long. But his coach since kindergarten – Tony Martineau — said if there was a weakness in Anspach's game, it was rebounding and defense.
 
"He was a score first guy," Martineau said. "I was after him his whole life to box out and play defense."
 
Especially when it came to rebounding, Martineau said that Anspach would never box out – that's when you use your body to shield your defender from the basket. It's a small thing, but important.
 
Moments before he died Oct. 1, Anspach fell to the ground, and rolled over another student taking cover. Anspach's blood smeared on her, and his body shielded her from the gunman. UCC student Lisa Scroggins said she believes she's alive today because of Anspach's last actions.
 
After that story came out, Martineau said he was talking with an assistant coach.

“Well, at least Treven finally listened to you and boxed out," the assistant coach said. "Finally, he played some defense.”

Correction: This article has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of the victim's name.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: