KENNESAW, Ga. - At many colleges, walk-ons don't get recognition or the glory like many of the starters do, but not at Kennesaw State University.
 
Charles Stone, Eric Holland and Matt Brown have made their mark in the community here at KSU even though they rarely see the court, and it has included a sense of recognition.
 
During the game against Oakwood, the Convo roared as Charles "Chuck" Stone entered the game with five minutes left. The KSU student section even brought out a banner with his face on it. Soon after that, Matt Brown and Eric Holland joined him on the court.
 
"There nothing like the atmosphere that the fans bring. It's really special. I saw a flag with my face on it," Stone said after the game. "It's pretty crazy, but I'm going to shout out my teammates for that. Without all of them, I wouldn't be able to do it."
 
They are on the bench cheering on their teammates during games, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. They help their teammates in the classroom and help keep the morale high.
 
"The new guys came in, and we have been helping them around Kennesaw, on and off the court, helping them with classes, and where to go," Holland said. "We are building a connection and a family. We are just trying to keep the culture going."
 
Even though they have huge support from the fans and the team, Brown, Stone and Holland still face many challenges when being a walk-on.
 
"It's hard, but it's part of the process. It's a part of both of our journeys to go out and we have to take it on our own and that's just the way it is," said Stone. "It's not easy and it takes a special group people to help you get through it. I think that's why we have made it this far because we have such a great support staff and teammates around us."
 
The most important job of being a walk-on is helping the team when they need it the most. If that is on the court or on bench, they are there to support the team.
 
"In this position, one thing I have learned is that it is bigger than me. You have to pour into others and pour into your teammates knowing they are going to be out there, and they are going to need you," Holland said. "If there is a time when they are going to need you on the court, you have to come out and provide."
 
Head coach Antoine Pettway sees how hard they work in practices. He also knows how difficult it is to be a walk-on because he was one. Pettway was a walk-on for Alabama and later earned a scholarship in his sophomore season.
 
"I always try to empower them and give them a voice on our team, but they are three of our hardest workers. They love this team, and that means everything to me because I'm a former wall-on as well," said Pettway. "They have a special place in my heart. They come in every single day, work their tails off and I told them they are as much a part of this team as anybody else."
 
Junior Matt Brown is thankful to have Pettway as his coach because he is able guide him and his teammates to what they need to do to help the team on the court.
 
"With Coach Pettway being a walk-on, he understands what it's like to be in our shoes. He knows how we think, and he knows our situation," Brown said. "He lets us know what he needs from us and gives us insight on what he went through."
 
"You have guys on this team who know what it looks like to compete for a championship. They know the day in, and day out grind, and you can't replace that. Those dudes have been through the fire before," said Pettway. "Terrell Burden, Demond Robinson, EJ, Chuck, Matt, Cole LaRue and Quincy Ademokoya. We lean on those guys for a lot. We lean on them for leadership on this team and they work their tails off every single day. I love them. We've got a great group of guys."
 
"No one cared if I could hit a three or not. It mattered how much energy I brought," said Stone. "It mattered how much I talked on the bench. If you put the team first, you can help them win."
 
They help create the atmosphere fans love when they come to KSU.
 
"I feel like I'm doing something right," Holland said. "Just being a good teammate, supporting the guys even if we are on or off the court, we got their backs."
 
"When I joined the team, I didn't expect to experience all the things I experienced," said Brown. "Being able to go to all of these schools and compete at a high level and win big, it has been a great experience for me, and I'm so blessed that I have been able to be a part of that."

All three saw action in the Owls' most recent contest, a 91-59 victory over Brescia on Dec. 19. Stone connected on his first career three-pointer off an assist from Holland, who also grabbed a rebound in the game. Brown meanwhile collected both a rebound and a steal in his four minutes on the court.
 

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