Wow, it’s Thursday already. It has been a week since my last blog and I don’t even feel like I have been slacking off. There is surprisingly a lot in the works for a summer afternoon. It appears that the 2010-11 is the 125th school year for Winthrop. So, people are trying to figure out the best ways to celebrate such an occasion.
In athletics, we are also in the process of creating top 10 lists, ideas for special TV shows, and possibly trying to bring notable coaches and players back to campus. Nothing is set in stone but there is a lot to think about anytime you have an anniversary to celebrate.
The real trick to this whole thing is finding footage that has been kept throughout the years. I would love to say sure let’s put together a TV show about great coaches and players from years gone by. We can easily come up with a list of people to interview and some of them may still be in Rock Hill. But how do we make it visually appealing? That is the issue, with very little news coverage and even fewer TV games from the 70’s and 80’s. How do we tell these stories? That is my dilemma.
The good news is that we will do something to celebrate the occasion. 125 years doesn’t come around very often and even though we have only been playing team sports for about 30 years, there are note worthy athletic accomplishments from the early days. Over the next year we will be featuring stories about Winthrop’s athletic successes on the courts and fields in a number of different ways. We will use the internet primarily but Television may also play a role. So be on the lookout once school begins but don’t worry, I will be sure to let you know when new content is available.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
More Tournament Stuff
Since I first read this story on ESPN.com , I have been dying to give my two cents. But first, I wanted to hear what others were saying so I bit my tongue, read the message boards, a bunch of articles, and then read the comments on the articles which were hilarious by the way. So this is my take…
Obviously it’s a compromise, The NCAA didn’t want to offend every small conference and have the Distinguished Gentleman from wherever asking for a probe into conspiracy charges against the NCAA ala Orrin Hatch vs. The BCS. The NCAA also didn’t want the big conferences upset that their teams had to play an extra game on short rest just for television ratings. So, they combined it, two games of small conference champion vs. small conference champion and two games of bubble team vs. bubble team.
The key for Winthrop is not to be a 16 seed, isn’t that the hope anyway. The Eagles have been to the tournament nine times, only four of those times have they been a 16 seed. So if you play well in non-conference games, win the regular season, and win the tournament you get out of playing in the “First Four.” If you are a 16 seed, in theory there should be earning first round money for winning. The round of 64 will be called the second round, so the NCAA will give out a little money for the winners of “First Four”.
With all of that said, I am not really a fan of the 68-team bracket but I wasn’t a huge fan of the 65-team bracket. It doesn’t really matter to me how many teams there are, I want Winthrop to do as well as it can in the tournament and that means not being a 16 seed. Let’s not forget 16 seeds have NEVER beaten a 1 seed. So, the odds weren’t real good before.
Let’s continue to grow the program so when we advance to the NCAA Tournament we don’t have to worry about being a 16 seed. And if we are a bubble team as an at large team, like 2007 could have been. Then we should be more than happy to play a big name opponent for the chance to make a run in March. My feeling is it is always better to be playing meaningful games in March than watching them on TV.
Want More? Here is an interesting read Web reaction
Go Eagles
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
NCAA Tournament
Today, we have a guest at Winthrop Eagle Blog. Winthrop's long time SID chimes in on the recent news regarding the new 68-team NCAA Men's basketball Tournament. Here are his thoughts...
If you are a college basketball fan and have not read or heard about the NCAA committee’s announcement about the format for the expanded men’s tournament, here are some thoughts from someone who has been involved in two of the 10 previous Opening Round games in Dayton, Ohio.
The new plan is being hyped as the “First Four” which is a rather catchy title to go along with the “Final Four”. The committee on expansion looked at three proposals and came up with a compromise that will pit the four highest conference automatic qualifiers based on RPI against each other with the winners earning the right to face two of the No. 1 seeds. The other four teams will come from the last four schools that were considered for at-large berths. These four schools will play for the right to advance against a No. 12 seed in the bracket. This is the simple part. The rest of the plan may present a logistical nightmare.
The committee apparently has designated Dayton (and deservingly so) as the site of all four games in 2011. Based on the information that was released on Monday, the plan calls for a doubleheader on Tuesday followed by another DH on Wednesday. Here is where the rub comes. None of the eight schools will find out for certain if they are in the opening round games (First Four) until Selection Sunday.
As soon as the announcement is made, the scramble is on for coaches, school administrators, players and their parents and fans. Finalizing travel plans for everyone concerned is a daunting task. Believe me, booking travel arrangements via airlines, acquiring ground transportation at the site, and reserving hotel rooms for a party of 75 people (players, coaches, support staff, cheerleaders/dancers and pep band can be a nightmare. For the four winners, the nightmare will have to be repeated just two or three days later when they will have to move the group to another site for a Thursday or Friday First Round game.
My heart will go out to the player parents and fans that have been loyal followers of the eight teams for the entire season. Many of them will be left out of the “Big Dance” experience due to logistical and/or economical reasons. That is the real shame.
If you are a college basketball fan and have not read or heard about the NCAA committee’s announcement about the format for the expanded men’s tournament, here are some thoughts from someone who has been involved in two of the 10 previous Opening Round games in Dayton, Ohio.
The new plan is being hyped as the “First Four” which is a rather catchy title to go along with the “Final Four”. The committee on expansion looked at three proposals and came up with a compromise that will pit the four highest conference automatic qualifiers based on RPI against each other with the winners earning the right to face two of the No. 1 seeds. The other four teams will come from the last four schools that were considered for at-large berths. These four schools will play for the right to advance against a No. 12 seed in the bracket. This is the simple part. The rest of the plan may present a logistical nightmare.
The committee apparently has designated Dayton (and deservingly so) as the site of all four games in 2011. Based on the information that was released on Monday, the plan calls for a doubleheader on Tuesday followed by another DH on Wednesday. Here is where the rub comes. None of the eight schools will find out for certain if they are in the opening round games (First Four) until Selection Sunday.
As soon as the announcement is made, the scramble is on for coaches, school administrators, players and their parents and fans. Finalizing travel plans for everyone concerned is a daunting task. Believe me, booking travel arrangements via airlines, acquiring ground transportation at the site, and reserving hotel rooms for a party of 75 people (players, coaches, support staff, cheerleaders/dancers and pep band can be a nightmare. For the four winners, the nightmare will have to be repeated just two or three days later when they will have to move the group to another site for a Thursday or Friday First Round game.
My heart will go out to the player parents and fans that have been loyal followers of the eight teams for the entire season. Many of them will be left out of the “Big Dance” experience due to logistical and/or economical reasons. That is the real shame.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Baseball Coach
Well, the World Cup is over and full credit to Spain. My heart was with the Dutch, having visited there and enjoying its culture and people. But Spain was the better side on the day and the best side during the tournament. Proof once again that defense wins championships. The Spanish did not allow a goal in the knock out rounds. So congrats to Spain and now with the World Cup complete, let’s return to Winthrop Athletics.
Who will be the next baseball coach? I have been asked that question at least 10 times this week and I have no idea. The two names that I hear the most around the water cooler are Scott Forbes (assistant coach at North Carolina) and Mike McGuire (Winthrop assistant). Both are well liked in the department, both have been Winthrop assistants, and both are ready to be head coaches.
I do not know the full list of applicants but these are the two names that I am hearing the most and to be honest I think both can have success at Winthrop. Personally, I would like to see Coach McGuire get the chance. He has proven his loyalty to Winthrop by returning after being a successful head coach at Lander. When Coach Hudak was suspended during the Big South Tournament, Coach McGuire had the team playing loose and well against VMI in a game they had to win and they did. He knows this program inside and out, is an effective recruiter, and would be a very good hire.
Obviously, it is the department’s responsibility to hire the best coach that is available and not just the first qualified person. So, it is good that Winthrop is going to take a hard look at all the candidates. Another name may emerge who is an even better candidate only time will tell. But don’t expect any to happen quickly. These things take time. I do not expect to hear anything before school starts in late August. But let me know your thoughts about who the next coach should be.
Who will be the next baseball coach? I have been asked that question at least 10 times this week and I have no idea. The two names that I hear the most around the water cooler are Scott Forbes (assistant coach at North Carolina) and Mike McGuire (Winthrop assistant). Both are well liked in the department, both have been Winthrop assistants, and both are ready to be head coaches.
I do not know the full list of applicants but these are the two names that I am hearing the most and to be honest I think both can have success at Winthrop. Personally, I would like to see Coach McGuire get the chance. He has proven his loyalty to Winthrop by returning after being a successful head coach at Lander. When Coach Hudak was suspended during the Big South Tournament, Coach McGuire had the team playing loose and well against VMI in a game they had to win and they did. He knows this program inside and out, is an effective recruiter, and would be a very good hire.
Obviously, it is the department’s responsibility to hire the best coach that is available and not just the first qualified person. So, it is good that Winthrop is going to take a hard look at all the candidates. Another name may emerge who is an even better candidate only time will tell. But don’t expect any to happen quickly. These things take time. I do not expect to hear anything before school starts in late August. But let me know your thoughts about who the next coach should be.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Summer Time
Ok, here it is the first blog on the newly created Winthrop Eagles Blog. It’s called Summer Time, why, well because let’s face it. There is not much going on in the second week of July. But here is what we have so far… The big news is the recent reassignment of baseball coach Joe Hudak. Sadly, the news didn’t shock as many people close to the situation as it did people around the community. Personally, I didn’t see it coming but other people did and the news was not met with a lot of surprise. Coach Hudak gave his heart and soul to the University of 19 years and built a five-time NCAA regional qualifier. As someone who called the final game of the 1995 regular season, the Play in series (they did that back then), and the Clemson Regional, I am sorry to see him go but I look forward to seeing who the next coach will be. I have some thoughts but that is for another blog.
The other thing going on is the World Cup. I personally am rooting for a Netherlands/German final since the Yanks have been eliminated. More on this if indeed it works out that way. More to come over the summer and we will get you ready of the fall, I hope you enjoy this blog and I be writing more soon.
Go Eagles
The other thing going on is the World Cup. I personally am rooting for a Netherlands/German final since the Yanks have been eliminated. More on this if indeed it works out that way. More to come over the summer and we will get you ready of the fall, I hope you enjoy this blog and I be writing more soon.
Go Eagles
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