Tweet
Greetings My Friends,
The interminable wait is over and the day is finally here. The program we love begins it's final chapter for this season today, and what a season it's been!
Whether the ride comes to an end later today, April 2 or somewhere in between, it's been a fantastic run and a season I will never forget as long as I live.
And without everyone, it wouldn't have been as successful or enjoyable so I take a moment to thank a few of those we admire and maybe a few we neglect. And if I forget anyone, please forgive me.
To the people behind the scenes who work in and around the team and that provide the assistance so the guys stay on course to graduate, help them organize their time, keep the coaches on schedule so they can do all they have to and still maintain a functional family environment, thank you for all your thankless work behind the scenes. So much of the program's success is directly a product of your efforts (Jan, Jason to name just 2)....THANK YOU!
To all the fans....you guys make SHOCKERNATION what it is.......the best fanbase in all the country. THANK YOU!
To the parents and family of the wonderful student athletes...you have raised some of the finest young men I have ever seen come through this storied program. Their ability to mature into men who will become leaders when they leave this program is a testament to your abilities as parents. More than at anytime in my adult life....I am privileged to know these players and I am fortunate to call some of them friends. Your efforts do not go unappreciated...THANK YOU!
To all of SHOCKERNET, my friends here for years, and my new friends I've met this year....you guys are the BEST. I never realized there were this many great Shocker fans. I will never be able to fully explain the enjoyment you all bring to the experience here. And Steve, I have a heavy heart for you man and hope you are well and getting over your loss...we're with you my friend.
To the managers, the guys that only get yelled at and never get any credit for their tireless work....you guys are great and I suspect on those few times the coaches aren't yelling for something, they would admit they wouldn't trade you for any other group in the country. You do the dirty work so the guys can succeed...THANK YOU!
To the coaches, Devon, Dominic, Greg, Dana and especially Chris...for all your tireless efforts and grinding, scouting, out on the roads from sea to shining sea looking for the best talent and fit for WSU, breaking down film and being support and sounding boards for the team and Gregg and being mentors and father figures to these kids...you guys are the BEST and big opportunities await all of you down the line.
To the Marshalls, Lynn, Kellen and Maggie....the best fans in ShockerNation. The first family of WSU represent everywhere they go and we are so lucky to have them as a part of our program. Thanks for being the face of WSU and for being so open and friendly and making so many fans feel like a part of the program. You all are the BEST!!!
To Gregg: Thank you for giving EVERYTHING you have to this program. I've never seen anyone work like you...I don't know how you do it. It's simply amazing what you've done to bring this program to new heights, and you deserve all of the credit. The program is clean, the kids are graduating, there have been no major incidents to embarrass the University and you've won at an unprecedented level. You are quite simply one of the finest coaches in the country and we are fortunate to have you lead the way.
To my family who put up with me yelling at the TV in the middle of the night when I break down film after a tough loss, and load up in the car an hour before game time even though we live 5 minutes away and park 100 feet from the doors just so I can listen to the band (oh yeah, thank you band but will you please get a tuba again?!) and watch the guys warm up.....I love you more than life itself and without you I am nothing.
And finally to the 2011-2012 WSU Shockers. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You guys have been amazing and were champions to me long before this season but now you have the rings. And you have a national tournament ring. And you're ranked amongst the best basketball programs in the country. You've arrived....your hard work has paid off and you are reaping your just rewards. Enjoy the spotlight...savor the moment...if anyone, anywhere, anytime has earned this...YOU'VE earned it.
Malcolm, Joe, Ron, Randall, James, Evan, Jake, Tekele, Ehimen, Demetric, Carl, Ben, Joe, David, Toure' and Garrett...you have brought more joy and fun to those of us that marvel at what you do than you will ever know. The fruits of your labors are not only visible today but will be there for all to see for years and years to come. You have become successful men ready to tackle whatever the world throws at you. Congratulations! Now go out there for yourselves and take what you've earned and prove to world what we already know!
GOOD LUCK AND GO SHOCKS!!!!!!!
The interminable wait is over and the day is finally here. The program we love begins it's final chapter for this season today, and what a season it's been!
Whether the ride comes to an end later today, April 2 or somewhere in between, it's been a fantastic run and a season I will never forget as long as I live.
And without everyone, it wouldn't have been as successful or enjoyable so I take a moment to thank a few of those we admire and maybe a few we neglect. And if I forget anyone, please forgive me.
To the people behind the scenes who work in and around the team and that provide the assistance so the guys stay on course to graduate, help them organize their time, keep the coaches on schedule so they can do all they have to and still maintain a functional family environment, thank you for all your thankless work behind the scenes. So much of the program's success is directly a product of your efforts (Jan, Jason to name just 2)....THANK YOU!
To all the fans....you guys make SHOCKERNATION what it is.......the best fanbase in all the country. THANK YOU!
To the parents and family of the wonderful student athletes...you have raised some of the finest young men I have ever seen come through this storied program. Their ability to mature into men who will become leaders when they leave this program is a testament to your abilities as parents. More than at anytime in my adult life....I am privileged to know these players and I am fortunate to call some of them friends. Your efforts do not go unappreciated...THANK YOU!
To all of SHOCKERNET, my friends here for years, and my new friends I've met this year....you guys are the BEST. I never realized there were this many great Shocker fans. I will never be able to fully explain the enjoyment you all bring to the experience here. And Steve, I have a heavy heart for you man and hope you are well and getting over your loss...we're with you my friend.
To the managers, the guys that only get yelled at and never get any credit for their tireless work....you guys are great and I suspect on those few times the coaches aren't yelling for something, they would admit they wouldn't trade you for any other group in the country. You do the dirty work so the guys can succeed...THANK YOU!
To the coaches, Devon, Dominic, Greg, Dana and especially Chris...for all your tireless efforts and grinding, scouting, out on the roads from sea to shining sea looking for the best talent and fit for WSU, breaking down film and being support and sounding boards for the team and Gregg and being mentors and father figures to these kids...you guys are the BEST and big opportunities await all of you down the line.
To the Marshalls, Lynn, Kellen and Maggie....the best fans in ShockerNation. The first family of WSU represent everywhere they go and we are so lucky to have them as a part of our program. Thanks for being the face of WSU and for being so open and friendly and making so many fans feel like a part of the program. You all are the BEST!!!
To Gregg: Thank you for giving EVERYTHING you have to this program. I've never seen anyone work like you...I don't know how you do it. It's simply amazing what you've done to bring this program to new heights, and you deserve all of the credit. The program is clean, the kids are graduating, there have been no major incidents to embarrass the University and you've won at an unprecedented level. You are quite simply one of the finest coaches in the country and we are fortunate to have you lead the way.
To my family who put up with me yelling at the TV in the middle of the night when I break down film after a tough loss, and load up in the car an hour before game time even though we live 5 minutes away and park 100 feet from the doors just so I can listen to the band (oh yeah, thank you band but will you please get a tuba again?!) and watch the guys warm up.....I love you more than life itself and without you I am nothing.
And finally to the 2011-2012 WSU Shockers. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You guys have been amazing and were champions to me long before this season but now you have the rings. And you have a national tournament ring. And you're ranked amongst the best basketball programs in the country. You've arrived....your hard work has paid off and you are reaping your just rewards. Enjoy the spotlight...savor the moment...if anyone, anywhere, anytime has earned this...YOU'VE earned it.
Malcolm, Joe, Ron, Randall, James, Evan, Jake, Tekele, Ehimen, Demetric, Carl, Ben, Joe, David, Toure' and Garrett...you have brought more joy and fun to those of us that marvel at what you do than you will ever know. The fruits of your labors are not only visible today but will be there for all to see for years and years to come. You have become successful men ready to tackle whatever the world throws at you. Congratulations! Now go out there for yourselves and take what you've earned and prove to world what we already know!
GOOD LUCK AND GO SHOCKS!!!!!!!
Comment