As promised I said I would recap my first 2 nights of playing time. My First game that I played in validated me as a Division one Basketball player. The team: Stetson University, the night: November 21, 2009. It was an even matched game throughout the night.( making me believe I would not be making my first appearance in the game. With four minutes to go we were down 2 points and all I was hoping for was a win at this point. Then miraculously with 1:30, to go we were up 8 and the Barclay Believers (Rowdiest fans in the Big SOUTH. Shout out to the football team) were chanting “we want Sweeney”… With 35 seconds left to go, Coach Rade called my name. At first I was stunned, like who? Me? Then I sprinted to the scorer’s table. After two years of division 3 basketball, one redshirt year, approximately 100 practices, countless weightlifting sessions, numerous 6am pickup games on Friday and Saturday morning, incalculable times shooting in the gym, and 5 years after I committed myself to playing division 1 basketball at the dinner table at my neighbor’s house in Pennsylvania, I accomplished my goal. Those 35 seconds was nerve-racking to say the least. I didn’t want my first collegiate outing to be a trillion. This is 1 minute played followed by 0 in the stat sheet for everything else. Luckily I was able to make the most of my time and secure a precious rebound.
My second collegiate experience was a game that I knew I was going to play in because it was against an inferior opponent, at the Buc Dome. The anticipation to get more then 35 seconds of playing time was quite exciting. Before I knew it, the game was passing by like a blur. It was the second half with 14 minutes to go and we were up pretty big. I was thinking my time would be coming in a few minutes, then coach called my name and I was in. The first time touching the ball, I drove baseline and skipped the ball to a wide open teammate who missed the shot, blowing my assist. (I will not name the teammate due to the respect I have for my team) Next time I pumped fake and went around the defender and shot a floater off the glass that was ¾ the way in then bounced out. Then I had a steal on the defensive end using my cat like quickness. (or probably just got lucky) My goal was to get a 3 pointer up and I did right in front of the student section and it was just short. At this point I was subbed out, (Thank God because I needed a breather at this point) that was more minutes than I get in practice some days. Just before the 4 minute mark I was subbed back in. This may not mean much to some people but it meant a lot to me. This meant at the next dead ball with less than four minutes there would be a media timeout. The team comes to the bench and the players in the game sat down and everyone else goes behind the bench. For the past year I had always had to go behind the bench, but I got to sit down and coach told me the strategy. I ended up with 2 rebounds in the final minute and our team had 99 points with less than 30 seconds to go. The crowd is now chanting because they want our team to score 100, and me to score. I am exhausted beyond belief at this point. The ball was passed to me and I’m telling myself to just get it to the rim. I let it fire and at first I thought it had a chance. Then I realized that it was way long. The remorse I felt by letting down the student section was immense. Some say that I couldn’t have made that shot if I wanted to. But in reality my good friends Austin and Joel (AKA Drogba) had both fired air balls and I didn’t want to out due them. Luckily in the last 25 seconds on the defensive end I was able to redeem myself and record my first blocked shot of my short division 1 career.
So in the first 5 games I have played in 2 games. (not bad) The only problem is in the other 3 games if I didn’t wear my jersey under my warm-ups no one would know because I keot the bench warm the whole night. But hey, someone has to do it.
As for no shave November, it was quite a success in my book. I grew out a decent beard then shaved it off and had the dirty Sanchez moustache for the last game of the month against Trinity. The problem is my upper lip moustache is so light I have seen middle school kids with a darker and more filled out moustache.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Merry Land Trip
The Maryland trip was far from Merry for CSU and myself for our first game of the year(First Glenn was not on the road and that’s my boy so thats a bad start). We came out of the gate strong and were down 12 at the half. After that it fell apart fast for us in the 2nd half, but were still a young team that’s maturing. Being on my first road trip was nice but, I happened to break one of my cardinal rules as a walk on. Don’t draw any extra attention to myself and just go about my business. Friday afternoon we were done shoot around at one and had off till pre-game meal at 4. At 2 I decided to take a nap and set my usual 6 alarms for 3 30 so I could get up and shower. When the alarms went off I turned that off and reset them for 4 50 and went back to sleep figuring an extra 20 minutes of sleep would help me cheer a bit harder on the sideline.(forget the shower it doesn’t matter how I look) The alarm that I did reset was great if pre game meal was at 5 unfortunately it was at 4 and in my sleepy haze I showed no mental toughness and entered the wrong time. When I heard the knock at my door and saw coach Powell standing there telling me that it was 4 12 I thought about every excuse possible as I struggled past that sick to my stomach feeling. You may wonder what happened to my roommate’s alarm, I have been so solid on waking him up he decided not to set one. After the meal the coach called us over and told me that I was suspended and my roommate would not be starting the game. That doesn’t meant that I would have gotten in but it works out great as my excuse. If anyone has ever sat in the seats at the Maryland bench they may have thought I was late on purpose. These quite possibly were the nicest seats I have ever sat on. Don’t ask Big Pat Shaunnessey if he liked them somehow he managed to hit the floor twice while trying to sit in them. After the game I was able to see some family, friends, and 2 older guys that I play pickup basketball with at 6 am over the summer. They had seats in first row practically on the end of our bench. It was great to have the support at the game.
My last point is some great news for all walk-ons around the country. I don’t know how many schools put their walk-ons the media guide, but I was lucky enough to be placed on the front of it with the other 2 seniors. This I feel like is a great stride for anyone who has ever sat the bench on any team. I may not play but if you have the media guide you will get to see me at least looking like I play…. There will be another blog coming soon because I have actually got into 2 games now. Its amazing but ill update on next blog that I write.
SWEENEY
My last point is some great news for all walk-ons around the country. I don’t know how many schools put their walk-ons the media guide, but I was lucky enough to be placed on the front of it with the other 2 seniors. This I feel like is a great stride for anyone who has ever sat the bench on any team. I may not play but if you have the media guide you will get to see me at least looking like I play…. There will be another blog coming soon because I have actually got into 2 games now. Its amazing but ill update on next blog that I write.
SWEENEY
Friday, October 30, 2009
And the season begins...
Sweeney here to inform any of you who saw the Big South Media Day please don’t believe everything that you hear. We were picked to finish 9th out of 10th but this year will be different I promise you that, if we don’t have a winning record I will never write another blog. Some of you may rejoice at this news, but either way it’s my senior year and I’m not going to be writing anymore anyway.
I’ve been thinking about things that I want to do this year with the blog, the first is November I will not be shaving. Glenn is also going to participate with me in the effort to see how thick we can grow our beards during this month. My fear is this may make ourselves a target to the MD student section, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.( hopefully we will update with pictures but no promises) Another thought I’ve had is that I won’t be seeing many meaningful minutes during the games this year. Some may think that this is negative thinking, but I am just basing that on the minutes I am getting in scrimmages when there are only 7 guys on my team. I’m figuring when we combine the teams to have 15 players that the little bit of time I have been getting is going to dwindle. As a result I am going to have to record different stats, so in any game that I actually get in I will update with a blog that gives you my stats that may not show up in the box score. To help fill my stat line I will keep track of any time I touch the ball. (This does not include the game pass the rock if you don’t know what that is go back to the It’s Over blog on Jan 28th)Also I will be keep tracking of any screen that I set. Finally this year I will be keeping track of hockey assists, which is if I pass the ball to the guy who passes to the guy who scores I will be counting that as a HA in my score book.
Now for a word from Glenn...
Before one of our film sessions last week, coach Radebaugh went around the room and asked a few players on the team what the funniest moment in practice had been. We have been through about 15 practices and there has definitely been plenty of funny moments that make us all fall out of our seats laughing. But there are two moments that stand out the most. We here at Red Shirt Year and Beyond want to get the fans/readers involved by having our first ever poll to decide on which moment was in fact the funniest.
During one of our first practices, we were doing a 5-on-5 drill in the half court and then running in transition back on defense. K-Mart (Kelvin Martin) got a steal and was heading in for the basket when an extremely frantic coach Radebaugh appeared out of nowhere yelling, “Stop K-Mart! There’s a wet spot!” Someone had fallen under the basket the play before and their sweat hadn’t been wiped up yet so coach was trying to keep K-Mart safe. I must admit, coach Radebaugh did a great job of picking a spot on the floor, beating K-Mart to the spot, and building a wall, just like he teaches us. But it was too little too late. K-Mart neglected to listen to coach’s warning and took off right in front of coach and proceeded to dunk directly on top of coach Radebaugh and his outstretched arms, quite a sight if you ask me. In a post practice interview, K-Mart had this to say about the dunk. “Right when I got the steal at half court, I saw coach Radebaugh and decided at that moment I was going to dunk on him. I wasn’t worried about the wet spot at all… I have never seen coach get dunked on before and I wanted to be the first to do that. It relieved a lot of stress and I wouldn’t hesitate do it again if the opportunity came again.”
After a long morning practice, we found ourselves back in the gym for the evening practice during our stint of 3 two-a-days in a row. We were doing a 4-on-4 ball screen drill. Austin Johnson was on offense, wearing blue. The drill was designed for him to come off a ball screen, read his options, and then make the correct pass. After being scolded for dribbling the ball too much on the first attempt, Austin figured he’d make his reads quickly and get rid of the ball as soon as possible. It just so happened that Coach Radebaugh was wearing his all blue coach’s attire (bad decision). Austin proceeded to come off the ball screen, made his reads, and apparently none his teammates were open at the time. He then ball faked to the corner, and fired a pass to the top of the key. Where an unsuspecting recipient stood, wearing his all blue coach’s attire. To get first hand perspective of the play, we asked Mr. Johnson to take us through the scenario. “On the previous play, Coach Richey sternly suggested I get rid of the ball quicker and not dribble as much. As I was coming off the screen, my first 3 options were completely unavailable, my final opportunity to get rid of the ball was to quickly reverse the ball before the defense recovered. While looking at my first 3 options, I saw an all blue blur out of the corner of my right eye… With the thought of Richey’s instruction still in the back of my head, I swung the ball with Randy Johnson-like velocity… As I was following the flight of the ball, I soon realized it was on a path of destruction… In the way, was an unaware Radebaugh, and there was no going back.” Needless to say, Coach had a few words for Austin, and then practice went on.
Please do not be afraid to voice your opinion and be heard throughout the Red Shirt Year and beyond fan base. Yes, I do realize that the poll also has a vote counter visible to the public so everyone can see how much of a success or failure our first poll is. So if you would be so kind and vote to prevent Sweeney and I from running through the computer lab voting on every computer to get our numbers up!
Sweeney and Self
I’ve been thinking about things that I want to do this year with the blog, the first is November I will not be shaving. Glenn is also going to participate with me in the effort to see how thick we can grow our beards during this month. My fear is this may make ourselves a target to the MD student section, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.( hopefully we will update with pictures but no promises) Another thought I’ve had is that I won’t be seeing many meaningful minutes during the games this year. Some may think that this is negative thinking, but I am just basing that on the minutes I am getting in scrimmages when there are only 7 guys on my team. I’m figuring when we combine the teams to have 15 players that the little bit of time I have been getting is going to dwindle. As a result I am going to have to record different stats, so in any game that I actually get in I will update with a blog that gives you my stats that may not show up in the box score. To help fill my stat line I will keep track of any time I touch the ball. (This does not include the game pass the rock if you don’t know what that is go back to the It’s Over blog on Jan 28th)Also I will be keep tracking of any screen that I set. Finally this year I will be keeping track of hockey assists, which is if I pass the ball to the guy who passes to the guy who scores I will be counting that as a HA in my score book.
Now for a word from Glenn...
Before one of our film sessions last week, coach Radebaugh went around the room and asked a few players on the team what the funniest moment in practice had been. We have been through about 15 practices and there has definitely been plenty of funny moments that make us all fall out of our seats laughing. But there are two moments that stand out the most. We here at Red Shirt Year and Beyond want to get the fans/readers involved by having our first ever poll to decide on which moment was in fact the funniest.
During one of our first practices, we were doing a 5-on-5 drill in the half court and then running in transition back on defense. K-Mart (Kelvin Martin) got a steal and was heading in for the basket when an extremely frantic coach Radebaugh appeared out of nowhere yelling, “Stop K-Mart! There’s a wet spot!” Someone had fallen under the basket the play before and their sweat hadn’t been wiped up yet so coach was trying to keep K-Mart safe. I must admit, coach Radebaugh did a great job of picking a spot on the floor, beating K-Mart to the spot, and building a wall, just like he teaches us. But it was too little too late. K-Mart neglected to listen to coach’s warning and took off right in front of coach and proceeded to dunk directly on top of coach Radebaugh and his outstretched arms, quite a sight if you ask me. In a post practice interview, K-Mart had this to say about the dunk. “Right when I got the steal at half court, I saw coach Radebaugh and decided at that moment I was going to dunk on him. I wasn’t worried about the wet spot at all… I have never seen coach get dunked on before and I wanted to be the first to do that. It relieved a lot of stress and I wouldn’t hesitate do it again if the opportunity came again.”
After a long morning practice, we found ourselves back in the gym for the evening practice during our stint of 3 two-a-days in a row. We were doing a 4-on-4 ball screen drill. Austin Johnson was on offense, wearing blue. The drill was designed for him to come off a ball screen, read his options, and then make the correct pass. After being scolded for dribbling the ball too much on the first attempt, Austin figured he’d make his reads quickly and get rid of the ball as soon as possible. It just so happened that Coach Radebaugh was wearing his all blue coach’s attire (bad decision). Austin proceeded to come off the ball screen, made his reads, and apparently none his teammates were open at the time. He then ball faked to the corner, and fired a pass to the top of the key. Where an unsuspecting recipient stood, wearing his all blue coach’s attire. To get first hand perspective of the play, we asked Mr. Johnson to take us through the scenario. “On the previous play, Coach Richey sternly suggested I get rid of the ball quicker and not dribble as much. As I was coming off the screen, my first 3 options were completely unavailable, my final opportunity to get rid of the ball was to quickly reverse the ball before the defense recovered. While looking at my first 3 options, I saw an all blue blur out of the corner of my right eye… With the thought of Richey’s instruction still in the back of my head, I swung the ball with Randy Johnson-like velocity… As I was following the flight of the ball, I soon realized it was on a path of destruction… In the way, was an unaware Radebaugh, and there was no going back.” Needless to say, Coach had a few words for Austin, and then practice went on.
Please do not be afraid to voice your opinion and be heard throughout the Red Shirt Year and beyond fan base. Yes, I do realize that the poll also has a vote counter visible to the public so everyone can see how much of a success or failure our first poll is. So if you would be so kind and vote to prevent Sweeney and I from running through the computer lab voting on every computer to get our numbers up!
Sweeney and Self
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Were Back At It Again....
Hello redshirt year and beyond fans. It seems that we have dusted off our keyboards and decided to keep the blog going for another season. I am deeply sorry for the enormous delay and lack of dedication on our part. It was a hectic summer and already a busy fall. But I realize we haven’t updated since Sweeney’s cruel April fools prank. So I’ll try to catch you all up to date.
Spring workouts consisted of waking up at 5am for 530 lifting and conditioning four days a week for 8 weeks. I feel like we could have gotten up around 8 or so and still gotten just as strong and in shape, but then again it’s not my call. Anyways, we were rewarded for this rigorous schedule by going paintballing against the coaching staff for an afternoon. Coach Powell took home the heart and hustle award when he decided to jump into a nearby pond to avoid being shot. Only to get pummeled with paintballs the second he got out.
The freshmen came in for the June session of summer school. We have added six new players this year, four of which joined the team in June. After dealing with strength and conditioning coach for a month, we were finally let go and allowed to go home until August 24th.Upon our return, Coach Radebaugh declared he would beat one of us in the mile run when we got back. That statement motivated many members of the team to stay in shape while we were home. The guards had to run a 5:35 mile, the wings a 5:45 mile, and the posts a 5:55 mile.
Sure enough, when we lined up to run our mile, Coach Radebaugh himself lined up beside me with the look of the eye of the tiger. He then gave the cadence, “ready, set, GO!” Unfortunately, that was the last time I saw Coach during the whole run. But that wasn’t the last time he saw us. K-Mart and I had the opportunity of lapping him on the final turn of the final lap, but we had more class than that. I won’t mention coach’s mile time because I’m sure he’s an avid follower of the blog and we don’t take shots at our own fans. Coach failed to beat a player that day, with hard work and a hope. (one of coach’s building blocks of the fall season)
Now a word from Sweeney…
To all the new fans I would like to say WELCOME! To the loyal fans who have stuck with us through our 6 month hiatus from blogging, I would like to sincerely apologize and say THANKS.
For a quick recap, this summer was amazing, to say the least. I lived in a 2 bedroom apartment with Austin, while Jo’el rolled a double bed in the corner of the kitchen, and Glenn occupied the living room with an air mattress. Needless to say, the electric bill way through the roof, and that’s not OK with me considering that money comes out of my pocket. Lots of video games were played and seasons of lost were watched. Probably too many, but many memories were made, far too many to recount.
Since being back to school in August, I have been traveling on the weekends. The first week I went to Gainesville to see the Bucs play in the swamp, for a recap we got our $450,000 check and went home. The next weekend I went to Wofford University and unfortunately the mighty Bucs fell again. I’ve been to Columbia twice with Jo’el and Austin, some great weekends of football.
Now back to the subject at hand, basketball. As promised last year, I told everyone that I would be back as a walk on, and I AM. The scholarship was great if you like free tuition, books, and room and board. Let’s get this straight, all that is nice but that’s just not for me. I feel like I connected with the average redshirt year and beyond fan last year as a walk on before I earned a scholarship. If you’re thinking I get to run less or go to weights whenever I feel like it, that is completely false. I still do everything I did last year as a scholarship player, and everything everyone does this year. So in conclusion with this blog, I hope to chronicle the up and downs of life, basketball and academics of a Division 1 walk on in the Big South.
Spring workouts consisted of waking up at 5am for 530 lifting and conditioning four days a week for 8 weeks. I feel like we could have gotten up around 8 or so and still gotten just as strong and in shape, but then again it’s not my call. Anyways, we were rewarded for this rigorous schedule by going paintballing against the coaching staff for an afternoon. Coach Powell took home the heart and hustle award when he decided to jump into a nearby pond to avoid being shot. Only to get pummeled with paintballs the second he got out.
The freshmen came in for the June session of summer school. We have added six new players this year, four of which joined the team in June. After dealing with strength and conditioning coach for a month, we were finally let go and allowed to go home until August 24th.Upon our return, Coach Radebaugh declared he would beat one of us in the mile run when we got back. That statement motivated many members of the team to stay in shape while we were home. The guards had to run a 5:35 mile, the wings a 5:45 mile, and the posts a 5:55 mile.
Sure enough, when we lined up to run our mile, Coach Radebaugh himself lined up beside me with the look of the eye of the tiger. He then gave the cadence, “ready, set, GO!” Unfortunately, that was the last time I saw Coach during the whole run. But that wasn’t the last time he saw us. K-Mart and I had the opportunity of lapping him on the final turn of the final lap, but we had more class than that. I won’t mention coach’s mile time because I’m sure he’s an avid follower of the blog and we don’t take shots at our own fans. Coach failed to beat a player that day, with hard work and a hope. (one of coach’s building blocks of the fall season)
Now a word from Sweeney…
To all the new fans I would like to say WELCOME! To the loyal fans who have stuck with us through our 6 month hiatus from blogging, I would like to sincerely apologize and say THANKS.
For a quick recap, this summer was amazing, to say the least. I lived in a 2 bedroom apartment with Austin, while Jo’el rolled a double bed in the corner of the kitchen, and Glenn occupied the living room with an air mattress. Needless to say, the electric bill way through the roof, and that’s not OK with me considering that money comes out of my pocket. Lots of video games were played and seasons of lost were watched. Probably too many, but many memories were made, far too many to recount.
Since being back to school in August, I have been traveling on the weekends. The first week I went to Gainesville to see the Bucs play in the swamp, for a recap we got our $450,000 check and went home. The next weekend I went to Wofford University and unfortunately the mighty Bucs fell again. I’ve been to Columbia twice with Jo’el and Austin, some great weekends of football.
Now back to the subject at hand, basketball. As promised last year, I told everyone that I would be back as a walk on, and I AM. The scholarship was great if you like free tuition, books, and room and board. Let’s get this straight, all that is nice but that’s just not for me. I feel like I connected with the average redshirt year and beyond fan last year as a walk on before I earned a scholarship. If you’re thinking I get to run less or go to weights whenever I feel like it, that is completely false. I still do everything I did last year as a scholarship player, and everything everyone does this year. So in conclusion with this blog, I hope to chronicle the up and downs of life, basketball and academics of a Division 1 walk on in the Big South.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Finally a New Blog
Well it took us over a month to write a new blog and well April Fool's because were still entirely to drained from the season to write a newblog. Hopefully everyone reading this was fooled, and they have a great April Fools Day.
Sweeney-Self
Sweeney-Self
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wait Who Me
First, this is not the guest blog, our guest writer is talking a big game about a great blog that he will write. Just one problem, he’s not typing it. Next I want to thank G num 41 and JT agent 0 for their contributions to the team this year. I realize they, along with everyone else would have hoped for more wins, but speaking for myself, I am learning so much more about life this year then basketball. So please come out and support your seniors in their last home game at the Buc Dome Thursday night at 7:30. This is also a very sad night for Glenn and I. We are sad to see them leave, but this also marks the last night of free Zaxby’s. Whoever came up with this idea, I hope that it is renewed next year, a truly novel idea.
As I promised before, I will talk about the day in the life of an average (well in my case below average) College Basketball Player. I picked a Tuesday to describe for you. It begins with my 6 alarm clocks going off from 8 52 to 8 55 waking me up for 9 am mandatory breakfast (punishment is dished out in the form of running). Yes I said 6 alarm clocks, I have 3 alarms set on my phone, one alarm next to my bed, a boom box that wakes up the whole hallway, and finally my ipod deck that I have across the room. I keep that across the room so I have to get out of bed to turn it off.(I guess you could say that I have phobia of oversleeping and missing a workout) It’s kind of a sickening feeling laying in bed hoping that I don’t oversleep. I would hate to be the first to miss a workout or anything because I was sleeping. This hasn’t happened to anyone on the team and being a walk- on I sure don’t want to be the first to mess up. I then brush my teeth put on my shoes and out the door headed for my bike. Yes, I cruise around campus on my bike. If you hear the horn, you know it’s me. Please go to the left so I can pass you without any confusion.
So I walk into breakfast at 8 59 and get my food. I then sit there and find a way to talk about how I don’t want to lift weight’s today (this is an everyday conversation that we engage in, I think it makes us feel better to say we don’t want to do it). Weights are at 9: 45, which isn’t a bad time but you don’t know who our weightlifting coach is. I’m going to take a stroll down memory lane to my first experience with Coach Jacobi. It was August and I was late (only because I had to be cleared by the Brad the trainer). So after working camp this summer at Clemson, Wake Forest, South Carolina, University of Penn, and the Citadel all of my clothes are camp related. Not having any CSU gear as of yet, I walk in wearing a South Carolina Shirt. That was mistake number two, mistake number 1 was walking in late. Mistake 3 was reaching my hand out to shake his, apparently he thought he wanted to start out on a power trip and told me to turn my shirt inside out. Needless to say he never shook my hand, but deep down he’s a big bear, you just have to get through all of his layers. After weights it’s a quick shower and off to class. I have a class from 11:00 to 12: 20 then from 12:30 to 1:50. That brings up another serious dilemma in my life, I love food. The cafeteria opens at eleven and closes at 1: 30. When is there time to eat in that ten minute window of going from class to class? Usually on a Tuesday I will have practice at 2:30, this means all I do is after my class is walk over to the gym and start to get ready. One of my favorite parts of my day is 15 minutes before practice when we pray in Coach Radebaugh’s office and anyone on the team is welcome. We usually have a steady 3 or so and a few different guys show up. We then have film at which I sit there preparing for a team that I know I’m not going to play against. Then practice from 3:00 to 5:00. Which two hours isn’t bad at all now that were late into the year. During the two hours of practice, I just try to hold my own the best I can and try to make coach not mad at me. Then it’s another shower and off to dinner ( another great meal in the cafeteria). Then after all of my exciting activities of the day it’s off to the Library at 7:00 for Study Hall for two hours. We usually get out at 9pm then it’s off to the room for some video games. Then off to bed and do it all over the next day. But for some reason I LOVE it and wouldn’t trade being a part of a Division 1 team for anything.
Now as some have filled up my inbox asking me what the good news is that I talked about in my last blog, I finally have the answer. It was a normal day of practice I was sitting on my stool preparing to watch film on a school that I knew I would never see the floor against. Then coach started talking about me. This caught me off guard (coach doesn’t talk about me in the meeting's to much); I thought for sure that I was in trouble. I had missed Study hall (first time I’ve ever missed study hall) that day because my dad was in town and I was a little nervous about that. Coach’s line was “Sean has been great but tomorrow is his last day”. In my head I was thinking wow, I miss one thing and they’re getting rid of me, not cool at all. But to my relief Coach said that he was just kidding and he was actually putting me on scholarship for the rest of the year and they had my books for me in the locker room. First I was in shock; I then thought it was some mistake. I went from playing Division 3 to earning a Divison 1 scholarship. I probably didn’t earn this because of my ability to knock down wide open 3’s. Nor was it for my killer crossover that I still haven’t developed. Nor for my defense or lack thereof. It was the luck of injuries that have made me the number 10 player in practice and valuable to the team. So basically my ability to show up and not get injured earned me a scholarship. For all of my faithful fans, don’t worry I will be back in my traditional role of” walk on” next year. But I do want to thank coach because he didn’t have to do that, and it is truly appreciated.
My last few closing comments, we played Presbyterian college at home. I know what you’re thinking, a home conference game probably a loss. Wrong! I was there and I got to taste the sweet victory of success. Did we have some secret game plan? Did we do something that we hadn’t done all year? No, we just went out and executed and played defense and believed that we could win. After the game it was great to get to jump up and down in the locker room celebrating a victory. It was also great because I was in the blue travel suit opposed to the shirt and tie. What a great change coach made to let everyone who is hurt or not eligible to wear the blue travel suit. It helps with the confusion of me being a manager and a player. Finally I was able to see the Liberty girls game against our girls. Wow they were fun to watch, they have triplets, and there all 6’3(what in the world did they feed these girls?). Being triplets and great at basketball, they then became my target of heckling. So I tried my best with my bike horn (the ref asked me twice to put the horn away) and dry erase board to get in their head with messages. But the one sister Megan, unshakable. You’re going to see her in the WNBA, mark my words. I also showed loved to the girl at the end of the bench, the only one that didn’t get to play. Liberty was up 25 with 40 sec, I yelled at the coach to ask him how she could mess up the game at this point. He then proceeded to finally send her to the scores table when I yelled how can you sleep at night knowing you’re not playing a senior? Unfortunately by the time he sent her to the scorer’s table there was not another stoppage in play and she didn’t get it. I’m going to have to talk to guys on my team to tell them to foul so I can get in the end of games like that next year. After the game I then got the triplets autographs, and facebooked them that night of course. Only to find out that they have a blog, sponsored by the NCAA, which is big time. To check that out you can go to http://www.ncaa.com/blog/liberty_wbk/. Lastly a shout out to my international readers, my boy Tyler in Iceland playing ball( Athletes in Action trip to Mauritius together) keep doing your thing, and my cousin Chuck and his wife Sam who live in Lithuania where chuck is playing ball.
yours truly,
Sweeney
As I promised before, I will talk about the day in the life of an average (well in my case below average) College Basketball Player. I picked a Tuesday to describe for you. It begins with my 6 alarm clocks going off from 8 52 to 8 55 waking me up for 9 am mandatory breakfast (punishment is dished out in the form of running). Yes I said 6 alarm clocks, I have 3 alarms set on my phone, one alarm next to my bed, a boom box that wakes up the whole hallway, and finally my ipod deck that I have across the room. I keep that across the room so I have to get out of bed to turn it off.(I guess you could say that I have phobia of oversleeping and missing a workout) It’s kind of a sickening feeling laying in bed hoping that I don’t oversleep. I would hate to be the first to miss a workout or anything because I was sleeping. This hasn’t happened to anyone on the team and being a walk- on I sure don’t want to be the first to mess up. I then brush my teeth put on my shoes and out the door headed for my bike. Yes, I cruise around campus on my bike. If you hear the horn, you know it’s me. Please go to the left so I can pass you without any confusion.
So I walk into breakfast at 8 59 and get my food. I then sit there and find a way to talk about how I don’t want to lift weight’s today (this is an everyday conversation that we engage in, I think it makes us feel better to say we don’t want to do it). Weights are at 9: 45, which isn’t a bad time but you don’t know who our weightlifting coach is. I’m going to take a stroll down memory lane to my first experience with Coach Jacobi. It was August and I was late (only because I had to be cleared by the Brad the trainer). So after working camp this summer at Clemson, Wake Forest, South Carolina, University of Penn, and the Citadel all of my clothes are camp related. Not having any CSU gear as of yet, I walk in wearing a South Carolina Shirt. That was mistake number two, mistake number 1 was walking in late. Mistake 3 was reaching my hand out to shake his, apparently he thought he wanted to start out on a power trip and told me to turn my shirt inside out. Needless to say he never shook my hand, but deep down he’s a big bear, you just have to get through all of his layers. After weights it’s a quick shower and off to class. I have a class from 11:00 to 12: 20 then from 12:30 to 1:50. That brings up another serious dilemma in my life, I love food. The cafeteria opens at eleven and closes at 1: 30. When is there time to eat in that ten minute window of going from class to class? Usually on a Tuesday I will have practice at 2:30, this means all I do is after my class is walk over to the gym and start to get ready. One of my favorite parts of my day is 15 minutes before practice when we pray in Coach Radebaugh’s office and anyone on the team is welcome. We usually have a steady 3 or so and a few different guys show up. We then have film at which I sit there preparing for a team that I know I’m not going to play against. Then practice from 3:00 to 5:00. Which two hours isn’t bad at all now that were late into the year. During the two hours of practice, I just try to hold my own the best I can and try to make coach not mad at me. Then it’s another shower and off to dinner ( another great meal in the cafeteria). Then after all of my exciting activities of the day it’s off to the Library at 7:00 for Study Hall for two hours. We usually get out at 9pm then it’s off to the room for some video games. Then off to bed and do it all over the next day. But for some reason I LOVE it and wouldn’t trade being a part of a Division 1 team for anything.
Now as some have filled up my inbox asking me what the good news is that I talked about in my last blog, I finally have the answer. It was a normal day of practice I was sitting on my stool preparing to watch film on a school that I knew I would never see the floor against. Then coach started talking about me. This caught me off guard (coach doesn’t talk about me in the meeting's to much); I thought for sure that I was in trouble. I had missed Study hall (first time I’ve ever missed study hall) that day because my dad was in town and I was a little nervous about that. Coach’s line was “Sean has been great but tomorrow is his last day”. In my head I was thinking wow, I miss one thing and they’re getting rid of me, not cool at all. But to my relief Coach said that he was just kidding and he was actually putting me on scholarship for the rest of the year and they had my books for me in the locker room. First I was in shock; I then thought it was some mistake. I went from playing Division 3 to earning a Divison 1 scholarship. I probably didn’t earn this because of my ability to knock down wide open 3’s. Nor was it for my killer crossover that I still haven’t developed. Nor for my defense or lack thereof. It was the luck of injuries that have made me the number 10 player in practice and valuable to the team. So basically my ability to show up and not get injured earned me a scholarship. For all of my faithful fans, don’t worry I will be back in my traditional role of” walk on” next year. But I do want to thank coach because he didn’t have to do that, and it is truly appreciated.
My last few closing comments, we played Presbyterian college at home. I know what you’re thinking, a home conference game probably a loss. Wrong! I was there and I got to taste the sweet victory of success. Did we have some secret game plan? Did we do something that we hadn’t done all year? No, we just went out and executed and played defense and believed that we could win. After the game it was great to get to jump up and down in the locker room celebrating a victory. It was also great because I was in the blue travel suit opposed to the shirt and tie. What a great change coach made to let everyone who is hurt or not eligible to wear the blue travel suit. It helps with the confusion of me being a manager and a player. Finally I was able to see the Liberty girls game against our girls. Wow they were fun to watch, they have triplets, and there all 6’3(what in the world did they feed these girls?). Being triplets and great at basketball, they then became my target of heckling. So I tried my best with my bike horn (the ref asked me twice to put the horn away) and dry erase board to get in their head with messages. But the one sister Megan, unshakable. You’re going to see her in the WNBA, mark my words. I also showed loved to the girl at the end of the bench, the only one that didn’t get to play. Liberty was up 25 with 40 sec, I yelled at the coach to ask him how she could mess up the game at this point. He then proceeded to finally send her to the scores table when I yelled how can you sleep at night knowing you’re not playing a senior? Unfortunately by the time he sent her to the scorer’s table there was not another stoppage in play and she didn’t get it. I’m going to have to talk to guys on my team to tell them to foul so I can get in the end of games like that next year. After the game I then got the triplets autographs, and facebooked them that night of course. Only to find out that they have a blog, sponsored by the NCAA, which is big time. To check that out you can go to http://www.ncaa.com/blog/liberty_wbk/. Lastly a shout out to my international readers, my boy Tyler in Iceland playing ball( Athletes in Action trip to Mauritius together) keep doing your thing, and my cousin Chuck and his wife Sam who live in Lithuania where chuck is playing ball.
yours truly,
Sweeney
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Time-Out intervention
I want to start this post off by expressing my disappointment in myself for the lack of posts in the last week. One reason for this is the lack of time. We have a tough conference schedule and spend many hours on the practice floor. Another reason is the lack of wins our team has gotten. It’s not fun and very difficult to write after losses but I’m going to try to look past it and keep a positive attitude. Since Sweeney’s last post, we have lost 4 more games, extending our losing streak to 5 games. As of right now we are 2 games out of the conference tournament which means we’re going to need a miracle on 34th street if we’re going to continue our season past our last regular season game.
Enough of the negativity, despite our losing efforts we have had great successes on the bench the past 6 or 7 games. This of course is because of the never failing to impress, “Pass the Rock.” During our drought of posts, there has been a lot of action in the “Pass the Rock” world. I’m not quite sure if it’s because the publicity Mr. Spalding has been receiving due to the blog, or if it’s just sheer luck. But this rare opportunity is almost becoming a once a game episode. For all you readers back home, yes we have been executing to perfection. Perhaps we took it too far at UNC-Asheville when Kenny was threatened to be kicked out of the game because of his dedication to the game. Kenny solidified his spot in the “Pass the Rock” hall of fame by denying the ball to a ref that was right beside him, ordering him to hand the ball over. Kenny showed his true love for the game by ignoring the ref and sacrificing himself for the team, and gave the crowd what they had all been waiting for. The ref abruptly ended the game when he said the unthinkable, “son if you do it again, you’re going to the locker room.” I wasn’t sure how to react, I sat there in shock for about 30 seconds and was forced to shake it off as a media time out was called and I was required to get up once again, which brings me to my next point.
Unlike Sweeney, I enjoy media timeouts. It seems as if every media timeout I am pinched out of the huddle. Maybe it’s because I don’t hustle to the huddle quick enough after hi-fiving the players that have been on the court, or it could also be the fact that it really makes no difference whether I see or hear what coach Radebaugh has to say. I am not upset or holding any grudges against the people who have pinched me out of the huddle (coaches, players, trainers, and sometimes managers), I just look at it on the bright side. This gives me an opportunity to do one of two things. I can stare into the back of a teammate’s jersey and make it look like I have a view of the clipboard, or I can take a step back, and observe my surroundings. Usually the ladder is always chosen. Not because I don’t care what is being said, I just can’t hear it, I’m a terrible fake listener, and suffer from ADD. But this has given me time to observe the surroundings and take a look at what I missed during my high school career. There are a lot of funny things that can happen and some not so funny. I have witnessed everything from cheerleaders being mishandled to kids falling on their faces after spinning around on a bat for 10 seconds and trying to run down the court and make a layup. Those kinds of things always keep me coming back for more. At away games there is always the element of surprise, who knows what crazy games they play and the kind of dangerous stunts the cheerleaders take part in? And there is always the possibility of an uncoordinated fan dropping one of the t-shirts that were catapulted into the stands, therefore giving me an opportunity to make the snag and possibly receive a standing ovation from the opposing crowd. (I’m still waiting on that moment) I also find it quite funny that I more often than not find people in the huddle doing the same thing I’m doing. We’ll make quick eye contact and they feel like they have been caught and quickly look back into the huddle as if they had been doing that the whole time. I cannot disclose their names but they know who they are and we can keep that our secret.
I highly dislike making promises or commitments, but unless everyone is ignoring the blog, our next post will be another guest blog celebrating our 2000th visitor. That would be 1990 more people than we ever expected to read this. I guess we can consider this a success, but we’re just here to give our perspective and whatever comes with that, we will embrace with open arms. Our next game is against Presbyterian on Saturday as we will try to make moves to get into that sacred last spot in the conference tournament. Come out and support the team if you’re able to.
Yours Truly,
Self
Enough of the negativity, despite our losing efforts we have had great successes on the bench the past 6 or 7 games. This of course is because of the never failing to impress, “Pass the Rock.” During our drought of posts, there has been a lot of action in the “Pass the Rock” world. I’m not quite sure if it’s because the publicity Mr. Spalding has been receiving due to the blog, or if it’s just sheer luck. But this rare opportunity is almost becoming a once a game episode. For all you readers back home, yes we have been executing to perfection. Perhaps we took it too far at UNC-Asheville when Kenny was threatened to be kicked out of the game because of his dedication to the game. Kenny solidified his spot in the “Pass the Rock” hall of fame by denying the ball to a ref that was right beside him, ordering him to hand the ball over. Kenny showed his true love for the game by ignoring the ref and sacrificing himself for the team, and gave the crowd what they had all been waiting for. The ref abruptly ended the game when he said the unthinkable, “son if you do it again, you’re going to the locker room.” I wasn’t sure how to react, I sat there in shock for about 30 seconds and was forced to shake it off as a media time out was called and I was required to get up once again, which brings me to my next point.
Unlike Sweeney, I enjoy media timeouts. It seems as if every media timeout I am pinched out of the huddle. Maybe it’s because I don’t hustle to the huddle quick enough after hi-fiving the players that have been on the court, or it could also be the fact that it really makes no difference whether I see or hear what coach Radebaugh has to say. I am not upset or holding any grudges against the people who have pinched me out of the huddle (coaches, players, trainers, and sometimes managers), I just look at it on the bright side. This gives me an opportunity to do one of two things. I can stare into the back of a teammate’s jersey and make it look like I have a view of the clipboard, or I can take a step back, and observe my surroundings. Usually the ladder is always chosen. Not because I don’t care what is being said, I just can’t hear it, I’m a terrible fake listener, and suffer from ADD. But this has given me time to observe the surroundings and take a look at what I missed during my high school career. There are a lot of funny things that can happen and some not so funny. I have witnessed everything from cheerleaders being mishandled to kids falling on their faces after spinning around on a bat for 10 seconds and trying to run down the court and make a layup. Those kinds of things always keep me coming back for more. At away games there is always the element of surprise, who knows what crazy games they play and the kind of dangerous stunts the cheerleaders take part in? And there is always the possibility of an uncoordinated fan dropping one of the t-shirts that were catapulted into the stands, therefore giving me an opportunity to make the snag and possibly receive a standing ovation from the opposing crowd. (I’m still waiting on that moment) I also find it quite funny that I more often than not find people in the huddle doing the same thing I’m doing. We’ll make quick eye contact and they feel like they have been caught and quickly look back into the huddle as if they had been doing that the whole time. I cannot disclose their names but they know who they are and we can keep that our secret.
I highly dislike making promises or commitments, but unless everyone is ignoring the blog, our next post will be another guest blog celebrating our 2000th visitor. That would be 1990 more people than we ever expected to read this. I guess we can consider this a success, but we’re just here to give our perspective and whatever comes with that, we will embrace with open arms. Our next game is against Presbyterian on Saturday as we will try to make moves to get into that sacred last spot in the conference tournament. Come out and support the team if you’re able to.
Yours Truly,
Self
Friday, February 6, 2009
I'm really on the Team I promise
To recap we have had two games since our last blog. In the first we got a Conference win on the road against Coastal Carolina. I would love to say that I was able to watch a great game, but then I remembered I don’t travel, so I don’t know how the game went(Except when Glenn texted me to say that we got W). Coastal is not a far drive and I was hoping to make it, but I listened to the guys on the team who said it was on Fox Sports South (big mistake listening to them, I knew this and I did it anyway). One of those teammates was Glenn, who even mentioned the game being on fox south in the last blog. So at 9 I turned the T.V. on and sure enough it wasn’t on. The game was actually on the middle Atlantic network which I have never even heard of. So that prevented me from enjoying the win from a distance with the team. The second game was at home, we engaged in a battle with High Point University. We were winning the game late and to say it lightly we let the game slip through our hands like Bill Buckner (for all of you who don’t know who Buckner is follow the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMbJ6UhK7pE). Then after the heartbreaking loss we had to walk through the line shaking hands. This is a demoralizing feeling as you have to look at the guys on the other team knowing you should have beat them. This is also a terrible thing because I wear at tie and don’t sweat at all. But when you shake hands you are forced to get your hand all sweaty .This loss pushed our record to 0-5 in the Conference at home. For all 10 faithful fans of the blog that are realizing that I haven’t seen a conference win. This is correct because both of our wins were on the road in confrence play. Yes this is an awfully frustrating ordeal; I would love to taste the success of victory in the locker room with my teammates. This is a truly unique experience that I can’t describe men jumping around celebrating, high fiving, hugging, yelling and showering in a non homo way of course. I do have complete faith that this day will come sometime this year. FOUR HOME games left I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated on our progress.
Next I wanted to clear up for all of my loyal fans that I’m a walk on NOT a manager. I can see how some people would get confused during media timeouts (the point in the game where the players sit on the stools while there is a break in the action for T.V. or radio, mostly radio for games at CSU). This brings me to my second point of that I hate media timeouts, all 8 of them. For everyone who doesn’t know what they are after the 16, 12, 8, 4 minute mark in the first and second half there is a media timeout. This is where there is a stoppage in play and the managers bring out stools. But the managers sometimes quit or are sometime M I A (they forget to do laundry, late to practice, but if there is free food they are all there nice and early) this puts myself into action carrying stools. A reasonable person would say but isn’t there 3or 4 guys that can’t play who can take turns with the stools. Yes that would be the reasonable response but those 3or 4 guys who can’t play, all feel as if there to important to carry a stool. Kenny will tell you that “Ken is too good to carry a stool”(Yes Kenny will talk in 3rd person very often)….Billy feels since that he has already played but know has a broken hand that he doesn’t need to carry a stool….Glenn feels that he is on scholarship and sits on the bench in warm up’s so that entitles him not to carry a stool. That leaves Tracy and me, the other walk-on on the bench. This is where I actually practice and he doesn’t (because of ncaa clearing house issues) so I feel like I can pull a little rank on him. But a lot of times there is only 1 manager, that leaves Tracy and I both carrying stools. So I swallow my pride and carry the stool because if that’s what it takes for me to help the team, then I guess that’s my role. Basically I am just happy to have a seat on the bench of a Division 1 game.
Finally after all of the hate mail and death threats I would like to formally apologize in my role of dropping the ball in the game of Pass the Rock. I would also like to point out that later that night after the drop, I redeemed myself passed the ball down the bench like Steve Nash dropping dimes (Glenn failed to mention this in his blog). Also I don’t know if the fans really realize how rare it is for the ball to actually roll over to the bench. Sometimes we will go through a 4 game drought without ever sniffing the ball. This past game at home against High Point not only did the ball come to us once but twice. The first time the ball came I snagged the ball and we passed it back and forth down the bench and it was a game of pass the rock for the ages. The 2nd time the ball bounced right in to my lap. I passed the ball to Glenn who passed it to Billy who fumbled it and as I watched in slow motion the ball fall to the ground (I knew the pain of dropping the ball) and hit his size 16 shoe. It then rolled right to the referee, GAME OVER... Then faithful fans of the blog (all 2 of them) in the crowd even started booing. This then gave me the idea to play a joke on Billy. I will provide a direct link to his facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1104690022&ref=ts ALSO DONT TELL HIM THAT THIS IS ON HERE) and everyone can send him a message to let him know that he disappointed all bench warmers and fans of Pass the Rock across the country. In the next blog I will talk about the day in the Life of a CSU basketball player and I have G-R-E-A-T news to inform everyone of. (No it’s not that I will be writing my last blog, it’s even better then that). Lastly there is another guess blog scheduled to be up sometime soon, so keep checking back to see if it's up.
Sweeney
P.S. Just to update my horse game, i havent played anyone new yet. The game will still be called H-O-R-S-E we will not sell out as the NBA has in changing HORSE to GEICO probably because GEICO gave them a fat check.NOT COOL AT ALL NBA
Next I wanted to clear up for all of my loyal fans that I’m a walk on NOT a manager. I can see how some people would get confused during media timeouts (the point in the game where the players sit on the stools while there is a break in the action for T.V. or radio, mostly radio for games at CSU). This brings me to my second point of that I hate media timeouts, all 8 of them. For everyone who doesn’t know what they are after the 16, 12, 8, 4 minute mark in the first and second half there is a media timeout. This is where there is a stoppage in play and the managers bring out stools. But the managers sometimes quit or are sometime M I A (they forget to do laundry, late to practice, but if there is free food they are all there nice and early) this puts myself into action carrying stools. A reasonable person would say but isn’t there 3or 4 guys that can’t play who can take turns with the stools. Yes that would be the reasonable response but those 3or 4 guys who can’t play, all feel as if there to important to carry a stool. Kenny will tell you that “Ken is too good to carry a stool”(Yes Kenny will talk in 3rd person very often)….Billy feels since that he has already played but know has a broken hand that he doesn’t need to carry a stool….Glenn feels that he is on scholarship and sits on the bench in warm up’s so that entitles him not to carry a stool. That leaves Tracy and me, the other walk-on on the bench. This is where I actually practice and he doesn’t (because of ncaa clearing house issues) so I feel like I can pull a little rank on him. But a lot of times there is only 1 manager, that leaves Tracy and I both carrying stools. So I swallow my pride and carry the stool because if that’s what it takes for me to help the team, then I guess that’s my role. Basically I am just happy to have a seat on the bench of a Division 1 game.
Finally after all of the hate mail and death threats I would like to formally apologize in my role of dropping the ball in the game of Pass the Rock. I would also like to point out that later that night after the drop, I redeemed myself passed the ball down the bench like Steve Nash dropping dimes (Glenn failed to mention this in his blog). Also I don’t know if the fans really realize how rare it is for the ball to actually roll over to the bench. Sometimes we will go through a 4 game drought without ever sniffing the ball. This past game at home against High Point not only did the ball come to us once but twice. The first time the ball came I snagged the ball and we passed it back and forth down the bench and it was a game of pass the rock for the ages. The 2nd time the ball bounced right in to my lap. I passed the ball to Glenn who passed it to Billy who fumbled it and as I watched in slow motion the ball fall to the ground (I knew the pain of dropping the ball) and hit his size 16 shoe. It then rolled right to the referee, GAME OVER... Then faithful fans of the blog (all 2 of them) in the crowd even started booing. This then gave me the idea to play a joke on Billy. I will provide a direct link to his facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1104690022&ref=ts ALSO DONT TELL HIM THAT THIS IS ON HERE) and everyone can send him a message to let him know that he disappointed all bench warmers and fans of Pass the Rock across the country. In the next blog I will talk about the day in the Life of a CSU basketball player and I have G-R-E-A-T news to inform everyone of. (No it’s not that I will be writing my last blog, it’s even better then that). Lastly there is another guess blog scheduled to be up sometime soon, so keep checking back to see if it's up.
Sweeney
P.S. Just to update my horse game, i havent played anyone new yet. The game will still be called H-O-R-S-E we will not sell out as the NBA has in changing HORSE to GEICO probably because GEICO gave them a fat check.NOT COOL AT ALL NBA
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Not So Silent "Knight"
When we began searching for a guest blogger, we thought there would be no better way to go about it than to keep it within the team. J.T. Knight, a senior from Pensacola Florida, is without a doubt the leader of this team. He has provided laughs, motivation, and a passion for this team that we (the team) cannot put into words. So without further due, we here at Redshirt Year and Beyond present the first ever guest blog.
Enjoy.
As happy as I am to be a guest on my main men Sweeney and Glenn’s blog, I can’t say our season has been such a walk in the park. After getting off to an o.k. start we suddenly began going downhill. Even through our turmoil, there still has been many things that we all laugh and joke about. Maybe its Sweeney’s windmill dunk that he can never seem to complete, or Giedrus’s vulgar language in Lithuanian that no one can understand.
On a personal note, I have been haunted with the challenge of hitting a three pointer in a game. Actually, this is a streak that has been going on for about two years now. My jumper use to be wet like a bottle of Aquafina water in high school, but I think when they moved the three point line back it hurt me just a “tad”. (Yea right it hurt me more than it hurt to watch Warren Sapp on Dancing with the Stars) I mean I haven’t given up hope yet; I actually stepped out on faith in a game against Liberty and attempted one. It didn’t go so well. The release felt good, I didn’t rush it, but some how it landed in the security guard’s lap. (No comment) In practice though, I have a tendency to feel LUCKY and I’ll make a few, but there is always that one that travels off my finger tips and lands directly in my other teammates hands and off on the fast break they go. So since I have a handicap of shooting the three pointer, I just decided to become a very good passer.(I gotta be able to do something) So to help my teammates, I have became the league leader in assists of passed water bottles to a teammate, and I always manage to hit them right on the spot. I figured since I wasn’t playing, I had to help my team in any way possible. I mean, it’s nothing compared to the speed in which Sweeney and Glenn hustle the stools out on every timeout, but I’m trying. After playing two minutes, you have to occupy the other 38 minutes and since I can’t bring my cell phone on the bench, I decided to drop dimes with the water bottles.
In all honesty, I actually have had my opportunity to display my talents on the court, ( in practice that is, don’t be confused) but there have been spurts where I was so deep on the bench that I felt like I was still in the locker room. But through all the rain there has been sunshine. Yes viewers, there is a bright side to my bench warming. We had Morris College come to town……………..hip hip hooooorrrrayyy!!!!!!!! That was a great night. Get the sparkling wine out Dickey V this one is going to be sensational baby. Morris College taking on Charleston Southern was not even close to a night to remember. But for me, let freedom ring. I have been released from those mighty strong shackles of the bench and even though it was in moderate duration. I sprinted to the scorer’s table and impatiently waited for somebody, anybody to make a mistake so I could taste the sweet joy of the real game even though it was only for a whopping 1 minute and 38 seconds. Thanks for having me Glenn and Sweeney. Yes Ladies and Gentleman, its true, Sweeney is kicking butt in H-O-R-S-E. I know it’s hard to believe, but hey, the Cardinals are in the Super Bowl right?
Yours Truly,
J.T. Knight
Enjoy.
As happy as I am to be a guest on my main men Sweeney and Glenn’s blog, I can’t say our season has been such a walk in the park. After getting off to an o.k. start we suddenly began going downhill. Even through our turmoil, there still has been many things that we all laugh and joke about. Maybe its Sweeney’s windmill dunk that he can never seem to complete, or Giedrus’s vulgar language in Lithuanian that no one can understand.
On a personal note, I have been haunted with the challenge of hitting a three pointer in a game. Actually, this is a streak that has been going on for about two years now. My jumper use to be wet like a bottle of Aquafina water in high school, but I think when they moved the three point line back it hurt me just a “tad”. (Yea right it hurt me more than it hurt to watch Warren Sapp on Dancing with the Stars) I mean I haven’t given up hope yet; I actually stepped out on faith in a game against Liberty and attempted one. It didn’t go so well. The release felt good, I didn’t rush it, but some how it landed in the security guard’s lap. (No comment) In practice though, I have a tendency to feel LUCKY and I’ll make a few, but there is always that one that travels off my finger tips and lands directly in my other teammates hands and off on the fast break they go. So since I have a handicap of shooting the three pointer, I just decided to become a very good passer.(I gotta be able to do something) So to help my teammates, I have became the league leader in assists of passed water bottles to a teammate, and I always manage to hit them right on the spot. I figured since I wasn’t playing, I had to help my team in any way possible. I mean, it’s nothing compared to the speed in which Sweeney and Glenn hustle the stools out on every timeout, but I’m trying. After playing two minutes, you have to occupy the other 38 minutes and since I can’t bring my cell phone on the bench, I decided to drop dimes with the water bottles.
In all honesty, I actually have had my opportunity to display my talents on the court, ( in practice that is, don’t be confused) but there have been spurts where I was so deep on the bench that I felt like I was still in the locker room. But through all the rain there has been sunshine. Yes viewers, there is a bright side to my bench warming. We had Morris College come to town……………..hip hip hooooorrrrayyy!!!!!!!! That was a great night. Get the sparkling wine out Dickey V this one is going to be sensational baby. Morris College taking on Charleston Southern was not even close to a night to remember. But for me, let freedom ring. I have been released from those mighty strong shackles of the bench and even though it was in moderate duration. I sprinted to the scorer’s table and impatiently waited for somebody, anybody to make a mistake so I could taste the sweet joy of the real game even though it was only for a whopping 1 minute and 38 seconds. Thanks for having me Glenn and Sweeney. Yes Ladies and Gentleman, its true, Sweeney is kicking butt in H-O-R-S-E. I know it’s hard to believe, but hey, the Cardinals are in the Super Bowl right?
Yours Truly,
J.T. Knight
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
It's Over!
Last night, the Charleston Southern Buccaneers defeated Morris College in convincing fashion, ending our losing streak at ten games. It was a team effort and Omar Carter seemed to return to form, hopefully for good. We take on Coastal Carolina Saturday, in an effort to extend our winning streak to two games.
Whenever the ball rolls or bounces to the bench, everyone who knows they won’t be seeing any action that game should know what to do. That’s when “Pass the Rock” comes into play. For those of you who don’t warm the bench, or simply have been left out of the loop, I’ll explain the rich tradition of “Pass the Rock.” Now let’s be honest, everyone wants to touch the ball. And we redshirts often go games without touching Mr. Spalding. So we like to spread the wealth when the opportunity arises. The game is simple. When the ball exits the court of play and comes into contact with a benchwarmer, it is their duty to pass the ball down the bench, one by one, until the referee asks for the ball. I’m explaining this because last night, the amazingly rare opportunity arose and someone literally dropped the ball. I don’t like to put my teammate/friend/fellow benchwarmer down, but this issue must be addressed. The ball was blocked out of bounds by J.T. Knight. The ball then landed in Kenny’s hands, beginning the classic “Pass the Rock” entertainment. Kenny (redshirt), who’s reflexes immediately kicked in, flipped the ball to Billy (redshirt candidate), who swiftly tossed it to me. I then handed it off to Sweeney (redshirt), who for some reason wasn’t paying attention, and dropped the ball. Mr. Spalding bounced off the floor, by the time he regained possession, the referee was standing in front of him demanding the basketball. Thus, ending the short lived episode of “Pass the Rock.” We all shook our heads in disappointment. All Sweeney had to do was catch the ball, pass it to Tracy (redshirt) to complete the highly sought after “quintuple redshirt handoff.” The redshirts will be holding a hearing later today to determine his status on the bench for the rest of the season.
As I’m sitting here in art class, trying to think of other things to write about, I can only think of one thing, and that’s how sore I am. I’m sure you avid readers are thinking, “Why is Glenn sore? The only time I ever see him move is when he stands up after a big basket is scored.” But that’s where you’re terribly wrong. As of yesterday, I am now being included in weight training. Due to my surgery, I am restricted to only lower body lifting. I can’t be sure who gave Brad (our athletic trainer) this idea, but whoever it was, I’m very disappointed in them. Because my last visit to the weight room was roughly four months ago, it was quite a shock to be thrown into that environment on such short notice. Billy (another redshirt candidate) and I were put to work immediately. Coach Jacobi had us doing lunges, box jumps, sit ups, and leg raises for what seemed like an eternity. For those of you who do not know what lunges are, look them up, do them with a 50 lb weight in your hand, and see how your legs feel the next day. Needless to say, my legs feel like rubber and are on the verge of catching cramps with every step I take. If Brad’s intention was to put me in pain, he succeeded. In my honest opinion, I believe he is extremely jealous of my jumping ability and was tired of seeing me put them on display.
I want to conclude this blog with some great news. The Redshirt Year and Beyond has eclipsed the one thousandth visitor mark. To celebrate, we will have a surprise guest blogger for one of our future posts. I’m not sure when this will be, but I will not torture you readers by going on another seven day drought without a post. The game vs. Coastal Carolina will be on FSN South. GO BUCS!
Yours Truly,
Self
Whenever the ball rolls or bounces to the bench, everyone who knows they won’t be seeing any action that game should know what to do. That’s when “Pass the Rock” comes into play. For those of you who don’t warm the bench, or simply have been left out of the loop, I’ll explain the rich tradition of “Pass the Rock.” Now let’s be honest, everyone wants to touch the ball. And we redshirts often go games without touching Mr. Spalding. So we like to spread the wealth when the opportunity arises. The game is simple. When the ball exits the court of play and comes into contact with a benchwarmer, it is their duty to pass the ball down the bench, one by one, until the referee asks for the ball. I’m explaining this because last night, the amazingly rare opportunity arose and someone literally dropped the ball. I don’t like to put my teammate/friend/fellow benchwarmer down, but this issue must be addressed. The ball was blocked out of bounds by J.T. Knight. The ball then landed in Kenny’s hands, beginning the classic “Pass the Rock” entertainment. Kenny (redshirt), who’s reflexes immediately kicked in, flipped the ball to Billy (redshirt candidate), who swiftly tossed it to me. I then handed it off to Sweeney (redshirt), who for some reason wasn’t paying attention, and dropped the ball. Mr. Spalding bounced off the floor, by the time he regained possession, the referee was standing in front of him demanding the basketball. Thus, ending the short lived episode of “Pass the Rock.” We all shook our heads in disappointment. All Sweeney had to do was catch the ball, pass it to Tracy (redshirt) to complete the highly sought after “quintuple redshirt handoff.” The redshirts will be holding a hearing later today to determine his status on the bench for the rest of the season.
As I’m sitting here in art class, trying to think of other things to write about, I can only think of one thing, and that’s how sore I am. I’m sure you avid readers are thinking, “Why is Glenn sore? The only time I ever see him move is when he stands up after a big basket is scored.” But that’s where you’re terribly wrong. As of yesterday, I am now being included in weight training. Due to my surgery, I am restricted to only lower body lifting. I can’t be sure who gave Brad (our athletic trainer) this idea, but whoever it was, I’m very disappointed in them. Because my last visit to the weight room was roughly four months ago, it was quite a shock to be thrown into that environment on such short notice. Billy (another redshirt candidate) and I were put to work immediately. Coach Jacobi had us doing lunges, box jumps, sit ups, and leg raises for what seemed like an eternity. For those of you who do not know what lunges are, look them up, do them with a 50 lb weight in your hand, and see how your legs feel the next day. Needless to say, my legs feel like rubber and are on the verge of catching cramps with every step I take. If Brad’s intention was to put me in pain, he succeeded. In my honest opinion, I believe he is extremely jealous of my jumping ability and was tired of seeing me put them on display.
I want to conclude this blog with some great news. The Redshirt Year and Beyond has eclipsed the one thousandth visitor mark. To celebrate, we will have a surprise guest blogger for one of our future posts. I’m not sure when this will be, but I will not torture you readers by going on another seven day drought without a post. The game vs. Coastal Carolina will be on FSN South. GO BUCS!
Yours Truly,
Self
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
It's been a W-hile
It has been a few days since our last post, but like we said we don’t know how often we will be posting. Believe it or not, we do try to have a life outside of school, basketball and the blog . After the Gardner Webb game ended they had more points than we did as the clock hit 00:00, we just ran out of time. I think this is rock bottom for our team; that loss pushed our losing streak to ten games. I feel as if anyone reading this whether an athlete or not can relate, when nothing in your life goes the way you hope, no matter how hard you try to make it work. Now for the good news, no matter how the rest of the season goes it will not be cancelled. The New Jersey Institute of technology picked up a win the other night to snap there 51 game losing streak(that was almost two full seasons without a Win, they did not have any games cancelled). Congrats to them, hopefully we will not come anywhere close to their Division 1 record of losses in a row. We are hoping to turn the ship around tonight against Morris College at 7:30 hopefully the gymnasium will be full to capacity with students dressed in blue.
Now to recap on my quest to beat every player on the team in a game of H-O-R-S-E. Glenn’s comment was “Sean Sweeney will never defeat all the scholarship players on the team in horse due to the fact he has to go through “the” Glenn Self.” Glenn and I started playing a game and were going back and forth making absurd shots. Then, out of nowhere, Coach Richey snagged the basketball we were using. (Yes that’s the life of a redshirt) He wanted to get Omar Carter on the shooting machine. Some of you may ask were there any other Basketballs? Yes there was. But that would have required Coach Richey to walk up to his desk to get his keys, and then go to the ball room (it was just easier for him to take the ball from us). Anyway, later that day after practice, we started our game over. If the media had been present, this game of horse would have been on ESPN classic immediately. It was an epic battle between two experienced players. Glenn got out to a commanding HORS to HO lead. This is when I used my experience being 21 years old and took over (hint for all kids at home, when you’re losing you just need to make shots to keep the pressure on). I went back to my clutch shots that I knew I could make. I then had it tied up at HORS to HORS. I went to my patented bank shot from a ridoncoulous angle which I made. This put all the pressure on Glenn to make his shot. He eyed it up and fired, it was a miss, and I took off running around the gym doing my airplane celebration. Hopefully I will have more post updating you on my many wins to come in H-O-R-S-E. Glenn will be updating tomorrow hopefully celebrating our win streak of 1 game.
Sweeney
Now to recap on my quest to beat every player on the team in a game of H-O-R-S-E. Glenn’s comment was “Sean Sweeney will never defeat all the scholarship players on the team in horse due to the fact he has to go through “the” Glenn Self.” Glenn and I started playing a game and were going back and forth making absurd shots. Then, out of nowhere, Coach Richey snagged the basketball we were using. (Yes that’s the life of a redshirt) He wanted to get Omar Carter on the shooting machine. Some of you may ask were there any other Basketballs? Yes there was. But that would have required Coach Richey to walk up to his desk to get his keys, and then go to the ball room (it was just easier for him to take the ball from us). Anyway, later that day after practice, we started our game over. If the media had been present, this game of horse would have been on ESPN classic immediately. It was an epic battle between two experienced players. Glenn got out to a commanding HORS to HO lead. This is when I used my experience being 21 years old and took over (hint for all kids at home, when you’re losing you just need to make shots to keep the pressure on). I went back to my clutch shots that I knew I could make. I then had it tied up at HORS to HORS. I went to my patented bank shot from a ridoncoulous angle which I made. This put all the pressure on Glenn to make his shot. He eyed it up and fired, it was a miss, and I took off running around the gym doing my airplane celebration. Hopefully I will have more post updating you on my many wins to come in H-O-R-S-E. Glenn will be updating tomorrow hopefully celebrating our win streak of 1 game.
Sweeney
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
SELF-MADE
Game Recap: Tonight we lost a heartbreaker to Winthrop University. I feel as if we are on the brink of turning this season around. We have been a couple plays away from winning our last 2 games. I want to thank all the students and fans who came out to support the team. A special thanks goes out to the wild and crazy fans that caused Winthrop to miss some key free-throws. I can only hope that our fans keep up the enthusiasm and provide a fun atmosphere to play in. There is no humor in our record or losing streak, nor will I try to find some. I pray that the team will not lose confidence and keep fighting to persevere in this long, grueling season.
On another note, those of you who were at the game tonight, I was in my warm-up with my white long-sleeve T-shirt under it. This tactic is used to distinguish myself from the rest of the eligible players and to make myself look less like a water boy/towel boy, while still looking like I’m part of the team. If anyone has any other ideas on how to look less like a water boy/towel boy, let me know. Also, yesterday during practice I was glancing through the media guide/program and realized that it does not have me listed as a Redshirt. Instead, under my name it reads, “Has not dressed in a game this year”. This upsets me almost as much as it upsets my fans. But don’t panic, I have not been lying to our readers. I’m not sure who is responsible for this mistake, but I promise I will get to the bottom of it and correct it.
Due to the overload of emails and text messages asking me why I didn’t mention my super high hops (jumping ability for those of you who don’t know basketball lingo) in my previous blog, I shall answer that now. I was under the impression that I had lost my super high hops due to the 3 month stretch of inactivity caused by my surgery. However that is not the case. Today after shoot around, the team was teasing me and Sweeney by telling us we couldn’t dunk. We’re still not sure why they would assume such a thing. They kept uttering the phrase “white man can’t jump”, I just don’t get it. Sweeney started our dunk session off with a powerful 1 handed jam off 2 feet. I then followed with a 1 handed haymaker off one foot that caused the gym erupt with ooohs and aaahs. Then we decided to take it to the next level. I took off from the Big South logo and threw down a monstrous 2 handed flush, receiving 10s from all the players and coaches. Now the stage was set. In order to represent the white race and go down in the history books as the best tandem of Caucasian dunkers CSU has ever seen, Sweeney needed to complete the 2 handed dunk to validate his dunking status and to prove to coach Radebaugh that he wasn’t the un-athletic white boy from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania he was known to be. Needless to say, Sweeney put his nerves aside; tossed the ball in the air, and seemed to defy gravity as he lifted his body off the ground, gliding through the air like a baby bird leaving his momma for the first time, and threw down the infamous 2 handed dunk. Once again the gym erupted and Sweeney and I gave a bow, the manliest chest bump you’ve ever seen, and made our way to the locker room, avoiding all autograph seekers. Although this was a historical day for the African American race (congrats president Obama and may you have the wisdom to lead our country), it also marked an important day for the white race as we plunged into the record books with an enormous boost of swagger. After the adrenaline wore off, I looked down at my hands and noticed blisters forming on my hands and a bruise developing on my forearm from the rim. I guess this is the price you pay for “playing above the rim”.
In closing, I cannot say when the next post will be. But please comment, tell your friends, and if you're experiencing withdrawals, re-read the previous posts and enjoy.
Yours Truly,
Self
On another note, those of you who were at the game tonight, I was in my warm-up with my white long-sleeve T-shirt under it. This tactic is used to distinguish myself from the rest of the eligible players and to make myself look less like a water boy/towel boy, while still looking like I’m part of the team. If anyone has any other ideas on how to look less like a water boy/towel boy, let me know. Also, yesterday during practice I was glancing through the media guide/program and realized that it does not have me listed as a Redshirt. Instead, under my name it reads, “Has not dressed in a game this year”. This upsets me almost as much as it upsets my fans. But don’t panic, I have not been lying to our readers. I’m not sure who is responsible for this mistake, but I promise I will get to the bottom of it and correct it.
Due to the overload of emails and text messages asking me why I didn’t mention my super high hops (jumping ability for those of you who don’t know basketball lingo) in my previous blog, I shall answer that now. I was under the impression that I had lost my super high hops due to the 3 month stretch of inactivity caused by my surgery. However that is not the case. Today after shoot around, the team was teasing me and Sweeney by telling us we couldn’t dunk. We’re still not sure why they would assume such a thing. They kept uttering the phrase “white man can’t jump”, I just don’t get it. Sweeney started our dunk session off with a powerful 1 handed jam off 2 feet. I then followed with a 1 handed haymaker off one foot that caused the gym erupt with ooohs and aaahs. Then we decided to take it to the next level. I took off from the Big South logo and threw down a monstrous 2 handed flush, receiving 10s from all the players and coaches. Now the stage was set. In order to represent the white race and go down in the history books as the best tandem of Caucasian dunkers CSU has ever seen, Sweeney needed to complete the 2 handed dunk to validate his dunking status and to prove to coach Radebaugh that he wasn’t the un-athletic white boy from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania he was known to be. Needless to say, Sweeney put his nerves aside; tossed the ball in the air, and seemed to defy gravity as he lifted his body off the ground, gliding through the air like a baby bird leaving his momma for the first time, and threw down the infamous 2 handed dunk. Once again the gym erupted and Sweeney and I gave a bow, the manliest chest bump you’ve ever seen, and made our way to the locker room, avoiding all autograph seekers. Although this was a historical day for the African American race (congrats president Obama and may you have the wisdom to lead our country), it also marked an important day for the white race as we plunged into the record books with an enormous boost of swagger. After the adrenaline wore off, I looked down at my hands and noticed blisters forming on my hands and a bruise developing on my forearm from the rim. I guess this is the price you pay for “playing above the rim”.
In closing, I cannot say when the next post will be. But please comment, tell your friends, and if you're experiencing withdrawals, re-read the previous posts and enjoy.
Yours Truly,
Self
Monday, January 19, 2009
Triumph As A Walk On
Due to the overwhelming fan support and demands of another blog, I am back. (Thanks mom,Sam, and coach Richey) With a game against Winthrop University and our team desperately needing a win, I don’t want to take the attention off of the team but I’m just trying to keep the fans happy by writing my blog.
After the last blog I feel as if I only touched on the negative side of being a red shirt walk on at a Division 1 school. I will say that I am very grateful for this opportunity; there are lots of perks being an athlete such as free gear. This is probably the reason I still go to practice every day , items such as: book bags, shoes, sweats , bags, underwear, socks and shorts( I just got a pair of Lebrons from Coach brooks, I’m going to look fresh in practice). This explains my frustration this year when I was home for my 6 day Christmas break and half of my presents were socks and underwear. (I was still very grateful for these MOM and Dad, but I thought I made it clear that I got free socks and underwear) The only problem with being a walk on is when the team gets free gear; they’re not exactly making sure that you get your clothes first. I can say I have gotten everything the scholarship players have gotten (except for the free tuition and books) just sometimes I am stuck with the XXL attire. At 6’3 and white I’m just not crazy about my clothes hanging off of my body like some of my other teammates.
After I told my story of my worst day of a walk-on the previous blog, I wanted to share my greatest triumph. No, it wasn’t in the scrimmage when I knocked down the game winning 3pt shot over K-mart, our most athletic player. No it wasn’t when I was on our team’s poster after not being sure if I would be included since I am a walk -on. No it’s not the free Zaxbys after home games, which is a very close second. (Thanks Zaxbys) The highlight of my still short and hopefully long walk on career (walk-ons are not guaranteed a spot on the team from year to year) happened at the Moore’s house, a friend of our coaching staff. One night they had the team over for a delicious BBQ dinner. No disrespect to the CSU cafeteria, but the same food 3x’s a day 7xs a week get’s old. So when people have us over for dinner it does mean a lot. If anyone reading this wants to have the team over we would be sure to come over please contact Charlie “C-dub” Whitt. If the team cannot make it, Glenn and I will be there for sure. Back to the point, we were at the Moore’s house and Glenn was waxing Coach Powell in ping pong. Austin and I were on the Wii. Coach Powell decided he wanted to be funny and kept running into me so we started boxing each other out. This is when I grappled him up and had him in a head lock. He then used his famous “chill” so I let him go. At that point he tried being sneaky as a snake and tried throwing me over his hip. I then grabbed him and picked him up and leg swept him to the ground like hulk Hogan manhandling a small child (I love coach Powell and I hope he doesn’t make me run an 8 for this Blog). Glenn then came down and gave him the 3 count sealing the victory. At this point Coach Powell gets up and challenges me to a rematch in the half court circle the next day at practice explaining he didn’t want to mess up the family’s furniture. (I’m still waiting for him to challenge me on the court)
Finally I don’t want to give out my big secret to other teams in the big South, (our basketball conference) but I want to make it known that I hate Velcro. It makes me sick to my stomach to see it, to touch it and to see it being ripped. Some may wonder why this is a big deal but if I was on the road, the opposing team’s student section could really distract me if they had Velcro in the stands. The two reasons I decided to go ahead and post was first, I don’t travel this year so I won’t be leaving the friendly confines of the BUC DOME. Second, it probably won’t be to big of a deal if they distract me in warm-ups as I will still be on the bench next year even when I’m eligible. Back to the BUC DOME, which is our small gymnasium and it’s the smallest division 1 gym in the country, (I think there is elementary schools in the state of Texas who have gym’s twice as big) but we call it our home. Don’t be fooled by the size, we will pack it out wall to wall and it will be rocking. The only complaint I have is the fans need to have chants. I sometimes feel as if I would be more valuable to the team in the stands leading the student section. But then I remember that coach Radebaugh could ask me what play would work, or more realistically Omar or Jamarco maybe be thirsty and need a drink. Anyone in the Charleston area please come out and support CSU basketball and our boy Jo’el Lamb(#15, Glenn’s roommate and our homie) as they take on the eagles of Winthrop on Tuesday January 20th at 7:30pm. I will take my usual seat at the end of the bench in a tie. Much to Glenn’s dismay, he will not be in his usual attire due to the slight healing of his shoulder. He has been asked (told) to warm-up with the team. He is still redshirted and not able to play. The only change is that he now breaks a sweat and has to take a shower after the game (delaying his arrival to Zaxbys which delays my arrival since I am his ride). Glenn will also post tomorrow after the game and my next post will update my knocking players off my still to beat list for horse, there has been some breaking news, I have beaten another scholarship player just no room in this blog.
Yours Truly,
Sweeney
After the last blog I feel as if I only touched on the negative side of being a red shirt walk on at a Division 1 school. I will say that I am very grateful for this opportunity; there are lots of perks being an athlete such as free gear. This is probably the reason I still go to practice every day , items such as: book bags, shoes, sweats , bags, underwear, socks and shorts( I just got a pair of Lebrons from Coach brooks, I’m going to look fresh in practice). This explains my frustration this year when I was home for my 6 day Christmas break and half of my presents were socks and underwear. (I was still very grateful for these MOM and Dad, but I thought I made it clear that I got free socks and underwear) The only problem with being a walk on is when the team gets free gear; they’re not exactly making sure that you get your clothes first. I can say I have gotten everything the scholarship players have gotten (except for the free tuition and books) just sometimes I am stuck with the XXL attire. At 6’3 and white I’m just not crazy about my clothes hanging off of my body like some of my other teammates.
After I told my story of my worst day of a walk-on the previous blog, I wanted to share my greatest triumph. No, it wasn’t in the scrimmage when I knocked down the game winning 3pt shot over K-mart, our most athletic player. No it wasn’t when I was on our team’s poster after not being sure if I would be included since I am a walk -on. No it’s not the free Zaxbys after home games, which is a very close second. (Thanks Zaxbys) The highlight of my still short and hopefully long walk on career (walk-ons are not guaranteed a spot on the team from year to year) happened at the Moore’s house, a friend of our coaching staff. One night they had the team over for a delicious BBQ dinner. No disrespect to the CSU cafeteria, but the same food 3x’s a day 7xs a week get’s old. So when people have us over for dinner it does mean a lot. If anyone reading this wants to have the team over we would be sure to come over please contact Charlie “C-dub” Whitt. If the team cannot make it, Glenn and I will be there for sure. Back to the point, we were at the Moore’s house and Glenn was waxing Coach Powell in ping pong. Austin and I were on the Wii. Coach Powell decided he wanted to be funny and kept running into me so we started boxing each other out. This is when I grappled him up and had him in a head lock. He then used his famous “chill” so I let him go. At that point he tried being sneaky as a snake and tried throwing me over his hip. I then grabbed him and picked him up and leg swept him to the ground like hulk Hogan manhandling a small child (I love coach Powell and I hope he doesn’t make me run an 8 for this Blog). Glenn then came down and gave him the 3 count sealing the victory. At this point Coach Powell gets up and challenges me to a rematch in the half court circle the next day at practice explaining he didn’t want to mess up the family’s furniture. (I’m still waiting for him to challenge me on the court)
Finally I don’t want to give out my big secret to other teams in the big South, (our basketball conference) but I want to make it known that I hate Velcro. It makes me sick to my stomach to see it, to touch it and to see it being ripped. Some may wonder why this is a big deal but if I was on the road, the opposing team’s student section could really distract me if they had Velcro in the stands. The two reasons I decided to go ahead and post was first, I don’t travel this year so I won’t be leaving the friendly confines of the BUC DOME. Second, it probably won’t be to big of a deal if they distract me in warm-ups as I will still be on the bench next year even when I’m eligible. Back to the BUC DOME, which is our small gymnasium and it’s the smallest division 1 gym in the country, (I think there is elementary schools in the state of Texas who have gym’s twice as big) but we call it our home. Don’t be fooled by the size, we will pack it out wall to wall and it will be rocking. The only complaint I have is the fans need to have chants. I sometimes feel as if I would be more valuable to the team in the stands leading the student section. But then I remember that coach Radebaugh could ask me what play would work, or more realistically Omar or Jamarco maybe be thirsty and need a drink. Anyone in the Charleston area please come out and support CSU basketball and our boy Jo’el Lamb(#15, Glenn’s roommate and our homie) as they take on the eagles of Winthrop on Tuesday January 20th at 7:30pm. I will take my usual seat at the end of the bench in a tie. Much to Glenn’s dismay, he will not be in his usual attire due to the slight healing of his shoulder. He has been asked (told) to warm-up with the team. He is still redshirted and not able to play. The only change is that he now breaks a sweat and has to take a shower after the game (delaying his arrival to Zaxbys which delays my arrival since I am his ride). Glenn will also post tomorrow after the game and my next post will update my knocking players off my still to beat list for horse, there has been some breaking news, I have beaten another scholarship player just no room in this blog.
Yours Truly,
Sweeney
Saturday, January 17, 2009
IN THE BEGINNING
This blog is meant to show you the life of junior Sean Sweeney a walk on basketball player and freshmen Glenn Self. We both play at Charleston Southern University, well actually we both sit on the bench for Charleston southern. This year the season is not going as anticipated were are 5-10. We will recap the season in a minute, but so far this year Glenn and I have not missed a single shot in a game. True we haven’t been on the floor for even a second nor taken one shot this year,but we like to find the positives during this long grueling season. Sean hasn’t played yet this year due to transferring from a Division 3 school and has to sit out. Dumb because no one in the Big South could care if he plays and no one back at the division 3 school could care either, just another dumb NCAA rule. Glenn is sitting out this year due to a subluxation of his shoulder (basically he dislocated it) suffered during a pre season drill called “four man war”. The injury was not able to be fixed through rehabilitation, therefore he underwent surgery early November, giving him his “redshirt year”.
For all six of you reading this, it’s now Sean Sweeney and I am going to tell you about the blog, about my story and how I got to Charleston Southern University. First the blog was inspired by mark Titus. (shout out club trillion) Glenn and I began reading his blog a few weeks ago and he’s just hilarious, we in no way shape or form hope or anticipate being as funny as his blog but this is our story. Nor do we anticipate it being as popular because we sit at Charleston Southern and Mark Titus sits at the Ohio State University. My dream to be a division one player basically started after watching my cousin play at South Carolina (Chuck Eidson). Ever since then I have wanted to be involved with a division 1 basketball program. I played two years at a Division 3 school and I wasn’t a standout player just did my role made open shots, rebounded and hustled. This summer I was given the opportunity to be a walk on player at Charleston Southern and I jumped. I thought that I was just going to cruise on through after talking to other walk-ons at various schools who said most of the time they don’t even practice they just keep stats. Not many people talked about the 6 am lifting or the 6 am running at the track but most people are rewarded by playing time but walk-ons reward's comes in practice when no one is around. Needless to say this year our team along with not winning as much as we would like, have been killed by injuries. We have 2 players out for the year and a big man who just broke his arm. Thus making me the number ten player at practice meaning I get every rep of every practice. I went from being a role player who subbed to give guys a break to be the superstar and by superstar I mean the 10th player so we can scrimmage 5 on 5. We wish we would have started this blog earlier with all of the funny things that have happened but we are both procrastinators. Oh well, better late than never. During this blog I am going to keep a running count of all scholarship players that I beat in horse with my nasty left handed shot and super wet nothing but net shots. To date Austin Johnson BEAT. Geidrus Knysas BEAT, Tovi Bailey (starter) BEAT. So that’s three and now I will be challenging every player, yes I will even go after Ja’marco Warren after lots of practice.
For my parents and fellow relatives whom I have now informed of the blog, this is Glenn Self telling his side of the story. Now I’m sure you’re wondering how a 6’0 162 lb. Caucasian guard made it to the division 1 level on a scholarship. Quite frankly I ask myself that question every night in bed while either my shoulder is throbbing or in fear of the 7am individual workout that I will be taking part of in the morning. I guess you could say I was somewhat of a standout in high school in West Virginia, but that’s not saying much. I was enrolled at High Point University (also in the Big South) as a regular student with some aspirations of walking on but not very serious about it. Then during an AAU tournament in my home state of West Virginia, Charleston Southern apparently liked my game and offered me a scholarship. I simply couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this. Maybe it was my super wet jumper or my sick handles or possibly my intimidating stature. Who knows, all I know is that I’m here at Charleston Southern and it has been quite the experience. During a fall workout we were doing a drill called “four man war” which consists of a coach throwing a ball at the basket and the four players try to score in the paint for the next four minutes. The catch is there are no fouls and the losers have to run (this creates immense amounts of competitiveness) and needless to say, I tried to grab a rebound and my arm was pulled out of socket (resulting in unbelievable amounts of pain and a dislocation) and sadly put me on the bench right next to Sweeney for the rest of the season. Hopefully this blog will give you a better understanding of the life of division 1 athletes that may not get on the court, but still do their part to make the team go.
Also if anything happens on the road this year Glenn will be reporting because not only do I not dress with the team, I do not travel with the team either. One disadvantage of not traveling resulted in me staying in the dorms over Christmas break alone with only the security guards being here. Luckily I stayed in Glenn’s room because he would leave me the key so I would have access to the Xbox 360 and a super sick TV. The all time low in my short walk on career was when we played Covenant College at home on the 13th of December and Coach Powell (a former Clemson walk on) told me I could go home after the game. I had my bags packed, my pillow and tooth brush in the car ready to go. As I was walking out Coach Powell informed me that I would have to wait until Tuesday for practice in case someone got hurt they would need me as the 10th player. Crushed by this I went to Coach Radebaugh the next day and asked him if I could leave right after the game Monday night. Me thinking I could get a head start, I left at 6 p.m. while the team was in Cincinnati and drove for three and a half hours. I then received the dreaded text message from Glenn (who travels) informing me that Jamarco turned his ankle in the last minute of the game. Thinking he was joking I laughed it off, I then received a phone call from Coach Powell who told me that I had to be at practice the next day then I could go home. That three and a half hr drive back to Charleston was one of the most demoralizing drives of my life. Mainly because I was playing with fire, trying to get a head start home, and I got burned. I went to the hour and a half practice the next day. Yes an hour and a half practice, then got in the car and drove ten hours back to Philadelphia.
P.S. Sean Sweeney will never defeat all the scholarship players on the team in horse due to the fact he has to go through “the” Glenn Self.
In closing we don’t know how many blogs there will be. Hopefully it’s not a dud and someone actually reads it, enjoying it or not, and will provide us with motivation and inspiration for future posts.
Yours Truly,
S 2
(Sweeney and Self)
For all six of you reading this, it’s now Sean Sweeney and I am going to tell you about the blog, about my story and how I got to Charleston Southern University. First the blog was inspired by mark Titus. (shout out club trillion) Glenn and I began reading his blog a few weeks ago and he’s just hilarious, we in no way shape or form hope or anticipate being as funny as his blog but this is our story. Nor do we anticipate it being as popular because we sit at Charleston Southern and Mark Titus sits at the Ohio State University. My dream to be a division one player basically started after watching my cousin play at South Carolina (Chuck Eidson). Ever since then I have wanted to be involved with a division 1 basketball program. I played two years at a Division 3 school and I wasn’t a standout player just did my role made open shots, rebounded and hustled. This summer I was given the opportunity to be a walk on player at Charleston Southern and I jumped. I thought that I was just going to cruise on through after talking to other walk-ons at various schools who said most of the time they don’t even practice they just keep stats. Not many people talked about the 6 am lifting or the 6 am running at the track but most people are rewarded by playing time but walk-ons reward's comes in practice when no one is around. Needless to say this year our team along with not winning as much as we would like, have been killed by injuries. We have 2 players out for the year and a big man who just broke his arm. Thus making me the number ten player at practice meaning I get every rep of every practice. I went from being a role player who subbed to give guys a break to be the superstar and by superstar I mean the 10th player so we can scrimmage 5 on 5. We wish we would have started this blog earlier with all of the funny things that have happened but we are both procrastinators. Oh well, better late than never. During this blog I am going to keep a running count of all scholarship players that I beat in horse with my nasty left handed shot and super wet nothing but net shots. To date Austin Johnson BEAT. Geidrus Knysas BEAT, Tovi Bailey (starter) BEAT. So that’s three and now I will be challenging every player, yes I will even go after Ja’marco Warren after lots of practice.
For my parents and fellow relatives whom I have now informed of the blog, this is Glenn Self telling his side of the story. Now I’m sure you’re wondering how a 6’0 162 lb. Caucasian guard made it to the division 1 level on a scholarship. Quite frankly I ask myself that question every night in bed while either my shoulder is throbbing or in fear of the 7am individual workout that I will be taking part of in the morning. I guess you could say I was somewhat of a standout in high school in West Virginia, but that’s not saying much. I was enrolled at High Point University (also in the Big South) as a regular student with some aspirations of walking on but not very serious about it. Then during an AAU tournament in my home state of West Virginia, Charleston Southern apparently liked my game and offered me a scholarship. I simply couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this. Maybe it was my super wet jumper or my sick handles or possibly my intimidating stature. Who knows, all I know is that I’m here at Charleston Southern and it has been quite the experience. During a fall workout we were doing a drill called “four man war” which consists of a coach throwing a ball at the basket and the four players try to score in the paint for the next four minutes. The catch is there are no fouls and the losers have to run (this creates immense amounts of competitiveness) and needless to say, I tried to grab a rebound and my arm was pulled out of socket (resulting in unbelievable amounts of pain and a dislocation) and sadly put me on the bench right next to Sweeney for the rest of the season. Hopefully this blog will give you a better understanding of the life of division 1 athletes that may not get on the court, but still do their part to make the team go.
Also if anything happens on the road this year Glenn will be reporting because not only do I not dress with the team, I do not travel with the team either. One disadvantage of not traveling resulted in me staying in the dorms over Christmas break alone with only the security guards being here. Luckily I stayed in Glenn’s room because he would leave me the key so I would have access to the Xbox 360 and a super sick TV. The all time low in my short walk on career was when we played Covenant College at home on the 13th of December and Coach Powell (a former Clemson walk on) told me I could go home after the game. I had my bags packed, my pillow and tooth brush in the car ready to go. As I was walking out Coach Powell informed me that I would have to wait until Tuesday for practice in case someone got hurt they would need me as the 10th player. Crushed by this I went to Coach Radebaugh the next day and asked him if I could leave right after the game Monday night. Me thinking I could get a head start, I left at 6 p.m. while the team was in Cincinnati and drove for three and a half hours. I then received the dreaded text message from Glenn (who travels) informing me that Jamarco turned his ankle in the last minute of the game. Thinking he was joking I laughed it off, I then received a phone call from Coach Powell who told me that I had to be at practice the next day then I could go home. That three and a half hr drive back to Charleston was one of the most demoralizing drives of my life. Mainly because I was playing with fire, trying to get a head start home, and I got burned. I went to the hour and a half practice the next day. Yes an hour and a half practice, then got in the car and drove ten hours back to Philadelphia.
P.S. Sean Sweeney will never defeat all the scholarship players on the team in horse due to the fact he has to go through “the” Glenn Self.
In closing we don’t know how many blogs there will be. Hopefully it’s not a dud and someone actually reads it, enjoying it or not, and will provide us with motivation and inspiration for future posts.
Yours Truly,
S 2
(Sweeney and Self)
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