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
Thursday, January 29, 2009
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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