Basketball Recognition Banquet

[Txlen]

http://www.goshockers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=7500&ATCLID=204929649

[wu_shizzle]

Showing off the NIT watches.

[Txlen]

Did anybody else attend the postseason basketball banquet, who would also offer his/her comments and observations?

[150946shox]

Did anybody else attend the postseason basketball banquet, who would also offer his/her comments and observations?

My wife and I along with the couple we attend games with attended. Coach Marshall was very upbeat about the future and was happy with the signing of Joe Ragland. He did not indicate one way or the other about future signees.

The assistants did a great job introducing the award winners. Coach Gross was quite funny. In fact, they all were. The best part was one of the coaches (can't remember for sure which) talking about when Clevin arrived on campus weighing 141 pounds and Coach Marshall saying "are you kidding me?"

The highlight of the event was Clevin Hannah. Being the only senior, he was the only player to give a speech. He spoke very well and did a great job of thanking individuals for specific things. He went through all the coaches, giving Coach Gross a hard time about being the "old guy" and mentioning Coach Grant as being a little guy like himself. He joked about coming in at 140 LBS and thanked Kerry for making him stronger and quicker. He thanked the managers and just about everybody, then thanked his teammates and the fans. Finally, he went back to the teammates and that's when he finally lost it. He had held his emotions in check all through the speech, but at the end really lost it. Coach Marshall used that opportunity to jump up and embrace Clevin and address the team. He pointed out to them that they had not reached the goal of the NCAA Tournament and that next year, if they are in position in the last 6 minutes of the championship game in St Louis, if they do everything they should, they'll win and make it to the Dance, and they would be receiving rings at the banquet, but that Clevin would not be able to play in the NCAA. However, wherever Clevin is and whatever he's doing, he will come back to the banquet and he will get a ring too. I don't thing there was a dry eye in the room.

We were fortunate enough to sit at the table with Clevin and he was a true joy to be with as always. We've had opportunities to spend some time with him on the road the past couple of years on several occasions and can only say that he is a very fine young man. I'm proud to have had him here. He is set to graduate next month as well.

As always, the players were very gracious. I am never disappointed with any of them when we see them in public. They're excellent representatives of the university and the community.

[pinstripers]

Thanks for that post.

[wufan]

We have had far more than our share of fantastic STUDENT-athletes wearing black and gold in Kock arena over the last 10 years!!!

[Txlen]

Yes, thanks for making the post, 150946shox.

[tgcshock]

Good summary 150946shox. Couple of things to add.

When talking about this years recruiting class Marshall said, "We have two recruits this year" and then corrected himself by saying "at least two." Don't know if this means anything or just reflects Marshall tendancy to prepare for every possible scenario.

During the story about Clevin showing up at 141 lbs., Marshall responded to the reminder that he had said "are you kidding me?" by saying he had also asked if "they could get a rebate" for Clevin.

Marshall's respect and affection for Clevin was evident all night and was a reminder of what college BB at its best can be.

[forevershockerfan]

Nice post that 'welled FSF up' there 150946-Hike-shox. Clevin was a class act that got down in the trenches and took the Shocker baton and twirled us forward to a tourney last year and to the NIT this last Season. These were significant but difficult leaps forward and #3 was a huge contributor in providing the leadership to allow this. I am so glad Clevin is on target to graduate and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

Yes, the Shockers are now primed and ready to take the final leap to "Dancing with the Stars" progressing with 'Rags and heading to riches.' Not one of us will forget that Mr. Hannah played a huge part in our battles to get back to our 2006 ways. The Shocker beat will continue on and some fine day will again punch our tickets as we march forward to March and Dance when the "Best of the Best Young Men come out to play." Can u dig that groovy music?


Reply # 8