This was an interview I did with Wayne Miller & Ernest Holley
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Long Beach State finds their man in Dan Monson
The suspense has come to a finish, the hundreds of hours of searching has come to a halt, and the smoke has finally cleared the Walter Pyramid because LBSU athletics have found its new men’s basketball head coach. Nope, it’s not the flamboyant Jack Haley, nor is it the former Pac 10 standout Cameron Dollar, nor is it Jim Harrick. The man transitioning the program to feasible new heights and pacing the black and gold colored sidelines to the sound of the Beach band will be Dan Monson.
Monson, best known for getting the mid major juggernaut known as Gonzaga off and running was hired in less than 48 hours after interviewing for the job. Perhaps he carpe diemed once the favorite for the job Kerry Keating took himself out the running by accepting the Santa Clara coaching position. Nevertheless Monson expressed excitement about his new position and made it clear what he intends to transport to LBSU.
“”Our goal is to build a program here, not a team, not a season because there is great tradition here,” said Monson.
Monson replaces Larry Reynolds, whose contract was not renewed despite a 24-8 record, a Big West Conference championship and a spot in the NCAA tournament. In addition, he will have to face the arduous task of late season recruiting for a rebuilding team that will have lost their seven best players to graduation.
Monson was 118-106 overall and 44-68 in the Big Ten in seven seasons at Minnesota. He joined the Gophers after leading Gonzaga to the Elite Eight. At Gonzaga, he was 52-17 in two seasons. Despite not doing as well as he liked at Minnesota, Monson believes that it will help him during his tenure with LBSU.
“I went through some difficult things at Minnesota, but I feel that I’m a better coach for it and that I’m better prepared for this opportunity because a lot of things this program needs I faced,” explained.
If the Monson era gets off to a rapid start and the 49ers capture a second Big West Championship in a row it would mark the first time in 32 years that the Beach has accomplished the triumph. Until then the Monson era will begin to start scheming for the early preseason Big West favorites such as Cal Poly and Santa Barbara. Let the Monson era begin!
Monson, best known for getting the mid major juggernaut known as Gonzaga off and running was hired in less than 48 hours after interviewing for the job. Perhaps he carpe diemed once the favorite for the job Kerry Keating took himself out the running by accepting the Santa Clara coaching position. Nevertheless Monson expressed excitement about his new position and made it clear what he intends to transport to LBSU.
“”Our goal is to build a program here, not a team, not a season because there is great tradition here,” said Monson.
Monson replaces Larry Reynolds, whose contract was not renewed despite a 24-8 record, a Big West Conference championship and a spot in the NCAA tournament. In addition, he will have to face the arduous task of late season recruiting for a rebuilding team that will have lost their seven best players to graduation.
Monson was 118-106 overall and 44-68 in the Big Ten in seven seasons at Minnesota. He joined the Gophers after leading Gonzaga to the Elite Eight. At Gonzaga, he was 52-17 in two seasons. Despite not doing as well as he liked at Minnesota, Monson believes that it will help him during his tenure with LBSU.
“I went through some difficult things at Minnesota, but I feel that I’m a better coach for it and that I’m better prepared for this opportunity because a lot of things this program needs I faced,” explained.
If the Monson era gets off to a rapid start and the 49ers capture a second Big West Championship in a row it would mark the first time in 32 years that the Beach has accomplished the triumph. Until then the Monson era will begin to start scheming for the early preseason Big West favorites such as Cal Poly and Santa Barbara. Let the Monson era begin!
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Pat Dean One on One w/ NCAA Champion Candace Parker
I got a chance to do a Question and Answer interview with Women's basketball sensation, Candace Parker. Fresh off a NCAA Championship and becoming the youngest female to ever win the John Wooden award, Candace Parker could be the hottest female athlete in the universe.
Pat Dean: How was the Team U.S.A. experience and how did it benefit you during this season; which players aided you the most?
CP3: Playing for the usa team gave me a whole new experience to me and helped alot with my game. i felt as if i matured throught the process of the game . i would say Tamika catchings and tina helped me alot. they picked on me a couple times but they always had my back.
Pat Dean: Do you carry around any good luck charms before a big game?
CP3: nah
Pat Dean: What role did Chamique Holdsclaw play in your role coming to Tennessee?
CP3: It was a huge role for me because i was coming into this program with promise of a championship and it helped me motivate myself every practice that there's something for me to prove for this team.
Pat Dean: What was your biggest obstacle for you this season?
CP3: Myself. Being able to control my emotions and to handle pressure.
Pat Dean: What impact has your brother Anthony had on your game?
CP3: A lot! he always challenged me with everything he can possibly think of. That's why i am who i am today.
Pat Dean: What made you decide to comeback to school and not declare for the W.N.B.A.
Draft?
CP3: My team and my fans. there just great im really motivated to get the repeat.
Pat Dean: How long have you been dunking for and how did it feel to become the first female basketball player to dunk in a NCAA tournament game?
CP3: Since high school. i would mess up a couple times but that didnt stop me. lol
Pat Dean: What players did you study growing up?
CP3: Tamika Catchings , Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan.
Pat Dean: Who do you think is the best W.N.B.A. player and why?
CP3: I dont know if i can answer this question , but i believe that many of those athletes playing in the WNBA are the best players in their own way. each individual has their own talent and mind and that's what makes them standout from the others who couldnt make it big in the WNBA.
Pat Dean: What will you do this off-season to get ready for next season?
CP3: I will work on my game and work on every aspect of it. try to better myself so i can be reliable for my team .
Pat Dean: Describe what was going through your mind after you guys captured the NCAA Championship?
CP3: "wow! i finally did it" lol.i just wanted to enjoy the moment because not too many people get the chance to be in the position we are at right now.
Pat Dean: How was the Team U.S.A. experience and how did it benefit you during this season; which players aided you the most?
CP3: Playing for the usa team gave me a whole new experience to me and helped alot with my game. i felt as if i matured throught the process of the game . i would say Tamika catchings and tina helped me alot. they picked on me a couple times but they always had my back.
Pat Dean: Do you carry around any good luck charms before a big game?
CP3: nah
Pat Dean: What role did Chamique Holdsclaw play in your role coming to Tennessee?
CP3: It was a huge role for me because i was coming into this program with promise of a championship and it helped me motivate myself every practice that there's something for me to prove for this team.
Pat Dean: What was your biggest obstacle for you this season?
CP3: Myself. Being able to control my emotions and to handle pressure.
Pat Dean: What impact has your brother Anthony had on your game?
CP3: A lot! he always challenged me with everything he can possibly think of. That's why i am who i am today.
Pat Dean: What made you decide to comeback to school and not declare for the W.N.B.A.
Draft?
CP3: My team and my fans. there just great im really motivated to get the repeat.
Pat Dean: How long have you been dunking for and how did it feel to become the first female basketball player to dunk in a NCAA tournament game?
CP3: Since high school. i would mess up a couple times but that didnt stop me. lol
Pat Dean: What players did you study growing up?
CP3: Tamika Catchings , Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan.
Pat Dean: Who do you think is the best W.N.B.A. player and why?
CP3: I dont know if i can answer this question , but i believe that many of those athletes playing in the WNBA are the best players in their own way. each individual has their own talent and mind and that's what makes them standout from the others who couldnt make it big in the WNBA.
Pat Dean: What will you do this off-season to get ready for next season?
CP3: I will work on my game and work on every aspect of it. try to better myself so i can be reliable for my team .
Pat Dean: Describe what was going through your mind after you guys captured the NCAA Championship?
CP3: "wow! i finally did it" lol.i just wanted to enjoy the moment because not too many people get the chance to be in the position we are at right now.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
R.I.P. Eddie Robinson
Former Grambling Coach Eddie Robinson died at the age of 88 this morning. Robinson is one of the most important figures in Sports history because in a time when african americans were snubbed from playing sports he gave them an outlet to attend the small black college that is Grambling. The soft spoken legend spent over half a century at the universuty and turned it into a predominat football program. He won 408 games during his career and had over 200 of his players drafted in the N.F.L. Whats even more impressive was that 80 percent of his players graduated college.Robinson's pro stars included Willie Davis, James Harris, Ernie Ladd, Buck Buchanan, Sammy White, Cliff McNeil, Willie Brown, Roosevelt Taylor, Charlie Joiner and Willie Williams. His most famous pro was Doug Williams, who is the only black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Robinson will be missed but never forgotten and may his prescence inspire some young man to strive for excellence.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Jordan Farmar Displays his Lion's Heart
Jordan Farmar may not win the 2007 NBA Rookie of The Year or land over ten minutes in a game, but that does not take away what his character demonstrated tonight. Farmar who came on strong for the Los Angeles Lakers in the beginning of the season hit the "Rookie Wall" and has struggled heavily as of late. Today he was demoted to the NBA's version of basketball's minor league, the NBDL. Despite throw a tantrum like many professional athletes in this new 21st century Farmar embraced the challenge and played well scoring 18 points and dishing out nine assist. The reward was an opportunity to be recalled to the Lakers game against the Kings. Farmar came in and scored four points and dished at four assist in the time he received and all of us teammates led by Kobe Bryant gave him a standing ovation. It was a sign of how mature this young man is and how much his teammates and coaching staff respect his character. Farmar will now go down as the first and only man to play in a NBDL game and NBA game int he same day.
Michael Jordan to join the Lakers
Ladies and Gentlemen ESPN just announced that Michael Jordan will be coming out of retirement for an unprecedented third time. This time he will rejoin the newly elected Hall Of Fame coach Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Jordan will will start at the small forward position and Luke Walton will now come off the bench. This acquisition is expected to make the Lakers a title contender once again now that Jordan is back in the league. In a potential first round matchup can the San Antonio Spurs handle not only Kobe but now MJ? Let the anticipation begin because this will never happen unless you put this on your playstation 3 or x box 360. April Fools!!!
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