Flannery ejection

If you read this blog, you probably also read Crossports, and saw the poll regarding the greatest moment in Hart Center history. Naturally, this comes after a previous thread, maybe this summer, on the "most memorable" moments in Hart Center history. Crossports is nothing if not for recycled topics.

In case you're wondering, I voted for the March 14, 2003 PL Championship game vs. American. Without a doubt, the most electric I've ever seen the Hart. I loved the Navy game in 2001, and the mid-year win against AU in 2003 (Cresnik missed three at buzzer), but walking into the gym for the 2003 PL Final was simply amazing.

Nice of Holty to include in the poll Bucknell coach Pat Flannery's ejection on January 18, 2008. I wish I was there, but could only watch from afar on ESPU. Here are a few TV pics to remind you of that day. BTW, that's a bloodied and bruised Andrew Keister asking, "What's going on?" as the crowd roared watching Flannery's meltdown.

Lucky Strike Convention

From Ralph Willard's blog comes this priceless line:

As soon as I open the door I feel like I am at a Lucky Strike convention. Everything smells of tobacco including the pillows. The perfect end to another travel debacle.

I couldn't help but think of my new town, with its Lucky Strike tower and smokestack...





Photos taken in May 2007 at the magnificently redeveloped American Tobacco complex here in Durham. I love walking or bicycling through there. (Actually the pics were taken the same evening I met Coach Vaas).

And since Coach Willard mentioned the smell of tobacco, the locals here say that up until about 10 years ago, the air in the evening in downtown Durham would smell like tobacco (not cigarettes). I find that oddly charming. I would've liked to experience that, in a way.

CHAMPIONS!

It doesn't get much sweeter than this week at the Hart!

The camaraderie, the respect, the excitement, the passion, the caring, the drama.

The downs and the ups. The big things and the little things.

Three days, two teams, two league championships!

Bucknell coming from 19 points down to tie the game, and Holy Cross going 16-16 from the free throw line late to withstand the challenge.

The Holy Cross women storming back from a halftime deficit, controlling play in the second half, making big shots, and rebounding, in multiple senses of the word.

Big Tim talking with his pal Chris McNaughton after Chris's last collegiate game.

Shaking Torey Thomas's hand. Torey, you are the man.

Women's team manager A.J. Noto getting pulled into the "Team Captain" trophy photo, with Ashley Brennan-McBride, Brittany Keil, Kaitlin Foley, and Coach Gibbons.

John Griffin hitting two ridiculous late threes.

Pat Flannery melting down and yelling at Bill Gibbons, Sr. at the scorers table on his way to the locker room at the end of the first half.

Pat Doherty knocking down a sweet, smooth trey in the first half.



The men's team painting their chests and faces, spelling out "CRUSADERS!", starting the wave, and doing the Tone Dance during the women's game.

The buzzer sounding on the women's game, signaling victory, a league championship from the depths, overcoming injuries to Laura Aloisi, Jessica Pearson and Brittany Keil, and and a 1-4 start to the league season. The definition of resilience.



Talking with Kyle Cruze's parents again, after meeting them at Bucknell last season.

Bethany O'Dell. Fearless, tough as nails, and those deadly threes.

Brianna McFadden. Patient execution, quiet confidence and leadership.

Christy Cushnie. Aggressive, confident, energetic team player.

Dot Willard, ninety minutes after the men's game, enjoying time with her grandchildren.

Chatting with HoopTime.

Meeting Eric Meister's sister, who said Eric is greatly enjoying his Holy Cross experience.

Coach Bill Gibbons dressing as the Crusader, and during an early TV timeout of the men's game, climbing a stepladder situated near the HC band, taking off the Crusader helmet revealing himself wearing his team's cut basketball net around his neck, and leading the crowd in a chant of "Beat Bucknell!"

Ralph Willard, his turn arriving to cut down the net, not doing so until Keith and Torey joined him on the ladder.

This is Holy Cross. This is Holy Cross Basketball. I love these teams. The coaches, players and their families, and of course, my fellow fans, make it a special experience. We are blessed to have Bill Gibbons and Ralph Willard leading the hoops players on campus, establishing the atmospheres and winning traditions they have, and attracting quality players and people. No, things aren't always perfect. But for three days, they have been. And for that, I'm exceedingly grateful and proud to be an alumnus of the College of the Holy Cross.

(First two photos courtesy the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.)

Begging for a Caption

Props to Non Alum Dave, who easily identified everyone (save the managers) in the 1993-94 men's basketball team photo. Dave, I forgot to tell you there was a prize. You win a trip to Texas to go fly-fishing with Nate Lufkin! Get your waders ready! Click on the b**bies for more details (haha).

Okay, time for something a little different. I'm not going to call this an official "Caption Contest," but you have to wonder what was going through Ralph's head at this moment. I believe this photo is from the HC-Kansas NCAA tournament game from 2002. It's Classic Ralph Willard.

Get Well Kieran Hamilton!

Coach Ralph has the story of the Hamilton family's car accident on their way to Worcester for the Fordham game. I think that's Kieran pictured on the far right of the above photo, taken by Annie at the 2005 Patriot League Championship game.

GET WELL SOON KIERAN! Best wishes to the entire Hamilton family.

(By the way, that's a truly outstanding photo by Annie. Excellent content with the Hurley brothers, the cameraman, Ashley Brennan-McBride, Shannon Bush, a couple hockey players, the referee, etc.)

"A Collective Will"

Coach Ralph Willard has often mentioned the need for his players to develop a "collective will" and a "winning attitude" in order to develop into a basketball team that tastes consistent success. Well, Coach Ralph has chimed in once again on his website, and he saw progress from his young players in the second half of the Siena game in that regard.

I think the men's basketball team's season has bottomed out. Between Coach Willard's comments on his site, and the eyewitness observations of "pumped" HC student "Boxman" who was at the Pepsi Arena on Thursday evening, I believe this team found something in the second half of that Siena game. Perhaps Colin Cunningham found his swagger, or Lawrence Dixon his confidence. Maybe Torey found his voice. Something good happened in that game, and it will continue to carry over.

I'm excited about the rest of the year.

One more thing: While reading Coach Ralph's comments, I noticed his use of the nickname "KHam" for Kevin Hamilton. I'm pretty sure Ralph hasn't written that before this season. Just a meaningless observation on my part.

Soulman Speaks

With the surprising early-season struggles of the HC men's basketball team, the debate on the Crossports message board has really heated up. Several posters have entered panic mode, threatening to stay home from games, and questioning Coach Ralph Willard's various decisions.

Stay home from games? I believe it's always more rewarding to continue supporting a team through its struggles, rather than abandoning it. The payoff is far greater in the end.

Thankfully, newbie poster "Soulman" has piped in with some of the most lucid comments I've read in recent days:

Part of the joy of college basketball is watching teams and players grow year to year--and then have to grow again when seniors graduate (yes, graduate!)...And within that, it's fun to watch and root for the program grow as a whole.

These are students, after all. Students with real career goals, students who represent Holy Cross well, and students of whom we can be proud. There is joy in following Holy Cross athletics, even in the tough times (like football, post-Duffner).

Soulman continues:

I want to see the team win, win a lot, and win big, just as much as (and maybe even more) than the next guy. I'm as die hard as anyone at the Hart Center. I was at two of the three NCAA games, on the floor with the band, losing my voice and greeting the players back at the hotel. But that's the thing--this isn't the game to watch if you want to rip into players for not doing it right. That's what the pros are for...But Holy Cross basketball players are young men who are students and people who are going to do things other than play ball for the rest of their lives. Yes, they want to win. But personal attacks and criticism of character is unwarranted and ultimately damaging to the spirit of the game and Holy Cross basketball. Let's root hard, but root with respect for the school and the students who play. Leave the character evaluations to Ralph, who does a great job, in my book, of balancing real-life priorities with his team, and who keeps things in perspective.

Thank you, Soulman. And I'd apply your thoughts to all the student-athletes, not just the men's basketball players, at Holy Cross.

Final thought on this topic for now:

IN RALPH WE TRUST