Tweet
I always enjoy my time with Mike. He is so insightful about what WSU athletics is all about. He is fair, but yet a touch sentimental about his Shockers. Mike and I had a nice conversation regarding two very significant events in Shocker athletics...
SHOXMVC: "You have had a front row seat for two historic Shocker athletic events (1989 College World Series Championship and 2013 Final Four). Describe what made those experiences similar and what made them different?"
Mike Kennedy: "When WSU won the College World Series in 1989, they had already been well established for several years as one of the top programs in the nation, and had been to the World Series twice, finishing second in 1982 and falling just short of the title game a year earlier, in 1988. Therefore, getting to that point wasn't anything unexpected, but that team did seem to be less likely to win it all than the previous teams because of the injuries they had sustained and because they had to come back through the losers' bracket in both the regional and the World Series, a much tougher path. By contrast, the 2013 basketball team had also had to overcome injuries, particularly the one to Ron Baker, had just lost to Creighton in the title game of the Valley Tournament, and had lost in the opening round of the NCAA a year earlier. I was hopeful, but had no real idea how far they might be able to go, compared to a sense of confidence that the '89 baseball team was capable of anything. The common characteristics with both were exceptional toughness, great coaching, great leadership on the field and court, and a selfless group who picked each other up and put winning before any personal thoughts. At the end of the win over Ohio State to get to the Final Four, I had a mixed sense of exhilaration and almost disbelief. I said to Bob and Dave while we were in a break, "can you believe this? We are going to the Final Four". - I think I said it multiple times. As Casey Scott and I began to wrap up the championship game win over Texas, it began to sink in everything that team had overcome, and I choked up for the only time in over 40 years of broadcasting."
Mike is and will always be a consummate professional, but everybody has their threshold. I always appreciate Mike's candidness and honesty when talking about WSU. I have always thought Mike was the perfect balance between a broadcast professional and a University advocate. I hope all of SN is enjoying this interview series as much as I am.
SHOXMVC: "You have had a front row seat for two historic Shocker athletic events (1989 College World Series Championship and 2013 Final Four). Describe what made those experiences similar and what made them different?"
Mike Kennedy: "When WSU won the College World Series in 1989, they had already been well established for several years as one of the top programs in the nation, and had been to the World Series twice, finishing second in 1982 and falling just short of the title game a year earlier, in 1988. Therefore, getting to that point wasn't anything unexpected, but that team did seem to be less likely to win it all than the previous teams because of the injuries they had sustained and because they had to come back through the losers' bracket in both the regional and the World Series, a much tougher path. By contrast, the 2013 basketball team had also had to overcome injuries, particularly the one to Ron Baker, had just lost to Creighton in the title game of the Valley Tournament, and had lost in the opening round of the NCAA a year earlier. I was hopeful, but had no real idea how far they might be able to go, compared to a sense of confidence that the '89 baseball team was capable of anything. The common characteristics with both were exceptional toughness, great coaching, great leadership on the field and court, and a selfless group who picked each other up and put winning before any personal thoughts. At the end of the win over Ohio State to get to the Final Four, I had a mixed sense of exhilaration and almost disbelief. I said to Bob and Dave while we were in a break, "can you believe this? We are going to the Final Four". - I think I said it multiple times. As Casey Scott and I began to wrap up the championship game win over Texas, it began to sink in everything that team had overcome, and I choked up for the only time in over 40 years of broadcasting."
Mike is and will always be a consummate professional, but everybody has their threshold. I always appreciate Mike's candidness and honesty when talking about WSU. I have always thought Mike was the perfect balance between a broadcast professional and a University advocate. I hope all of SN is enjoying this interview series as much as I am.
Comment