Fontenet inspired on and off court by his young son

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Corvallis Gazette-Times

Jason Fontenet is counting the days to the end of the winter term.

And it’s not because he is upset about a recent enforced week-long separation from the Oregon State men’s basketball team by coach Jay John.

It’s been a difficult time for the senior guard as he’s suffered through his worst season. The conclusion of his time in Corvallis brings more than an end to the frustration. There’s a new beginning.

Fontenet graduates with a sociology degree after this term and has plans for the rest of his life.

More importantly, however, it allows him to reunite with his growing family, which includes his girlfriend Anna Culbertson and their 1-year-old baby, Jason Elijah Fontenet.

His son was born Oct. 15, 2004; one day after team practice began for the Beavers for his junior season. Fontenet missed the birth since Culbertson lives in Phoenix, near the rest of his family.

“I was on the phone until 4 a.m. with them,” Fontenet said. “I heard the baby and heard him come out. That was the highlight of my life, but it was a sad moment for me. It was an important time of my life and I couldn’t get out there. I had to get there as soon as possible.”

Fontenet wasn’t able to see his son until two weeks later. He was in the midst of midterms and the basketball team had just started up.

He knew the situation was a possibility, but it still bothered him.

“That was an empty time for me,” Fontenet said. “I hadn’t cried in so long. I never show emotion to anybody. I cried that day and I didn’t want my girlfriend or family to know I was crying.”

Fontenet’s visit couldn’t last long because he needed to get back to OSU to finish playing for the Beavers and keep up with his academics.

He tries to keep in touch through e-mail and calling Culbertson and his son multiple times a day. Just hearing baby sounds helps him get through the day.

Family members visit him about twice a month, bringing Fontenet Jr., with them. Father and son have a ritual when they are together, trying to make up for lost time. They get up early, watch cartoons and play in the McDonald’s indoor play area.

Fontenet admits that being a first-time father he’s a little too protective around bigger children. He spoils him with toys the way grandparents would because he sees him so rarely.

“My son and I have a good connection,” Fontenet said. “It was an instant bond when we see each other. I have his toys lying around the house. I always think about him and I even watch cartoons all the time. I do miss him a lot but I have to take care of business here first. It’s not bad. He still knows my voice.”

Fontenet chose this path with his girlfriend with a planned pregnancy. They’ve know each other since first grade, and she was his high school sweetheart.

They both felt it was time to start building a family. Fontenet enjoyed working with children in the past and wanted his own.

Marriage is even in the future after Fontenet goes home.

“We were going to be living our lives together after college,” Fontenet said. “And while I’m still in college, I felt like I wanted a family to start off. And support-wise, he’ll be fine. I’m not worried about him. My motivation is to keep working and going through life for him.”

Culbertson raises their son with the help of Fontenet’s parents. She works as a hairdresser, but plans to attend medical school when Fontenet returns.

He’ll be Mr. Mom while he trains for pro tryouts for teams around the world. Former Phoenix Suns coach Frank Johnson will be working with him.

“It’s going great for us, but it’s a sacrifice,” Culbertson said. “He’s an awesome dad. We both decided it’s best to finish his degree. It’s definitely tough, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. He’ll be graduating soon and coming home.”

Fontenet believes he still has what it takes to play professionally, even though he hasn’t shown it this season. His average in points (4.9) and turnovers (2.9) a game have been discouraging.

When he’s not in a slump, Fontenet is a stellar long-range shooter. He’s quick and athletic. With his experience, Fontenet hopes to find a club, even oversees.

“This has been a rocky year even though I put in a lot of time in the summer time,” Fontenet said. “I’m doing this for Jason. I put all my time in for Jason on the court. I want to be able to make money for him. I want him to have a good life. I do it for my family.”

Knowing his son is there for him no matter what happens helps Fontenet maintain a focus to finish this season strong and complete his coursework.

He could have easily left the team when the coach wanted him to reaffirm his commitment during his break, but Fontenet was heavily influenced by his father.

Lessons learned were of responsibility and never quitting. Those are the ideas he wants his son to follow so Fontenet set an example even at this early stage.

It helped that his identity isn’t wrapped around only being a basketball player anymore. It’s being a father, too.

“I feel I have perspective, even though I’m not having the year I wanted to have,” Fontenet said. “You have to keep moving forward and see what else is in store for you. I’m going to be playing somewhere next year. But even though I put in a lot of time in basketball, if it all stopped right now it wouldn’t matter to me like it used to. I’ve got something else.”