Good times tonight....7 head coaches in all included GB, Van De Walle, Orr, Schmitz, Miller Time, Winger and Young. All talked of the upcoming season and there is plenty of reason to be very optimistic for the 08-09 seasons in all sports. All the coaches touched on finding kids with character and integrity when recruiting...many touched on the success in class with the players. It's that success in class and on the playing surface that make the BG teams what they are...
I got a chance to check out Coach Miller's Sweet 16 ring...which was sweet. Already has a new slogan for the 08-09 season...DRIVE FOR FIVE. Told him what a great move it was when GC signed Roos to that extension and his face lit up. Coach talked about his staff is such glowing terms and is so grateful to still have this staff intact. Mentioned the real reason BG didn't schedule UConn was a timing issue...they just couldn't agree on a date that fit both teams schedules...and the fact UConn won't play a game in BG. Coach said scheduling is a nightmare for OCC cuz NOBODY wants to play BG. Damn right.
Wants more home games, of course, and is working his tail off to get them.
Had a chance to sit with Coach Orr for quite some time. He's a cool cat...loved the Browns for years. We were shooting names of Browns players in the 70's and 80's back and forth. He knows his NFL and Browns. Talked about the need for the hoops team to get tougher on the road...take that next step and gain confidence in the hostile arenas and getting those important MAC road wins. Coach Orr also had some pretty BiG news as far as next year's schedule...all I can say is keep your ears open!
Talked baseball with Coach Schmitz and congratulated him on the MAC title for the regular season. He's pretty excited for next year already after losing only 3 seasons. Real nice guy...never had the chance to really talk to him before. Gave an update on Burke Badenhop with the Marlins...
Coach Van De Walle is heading to China with the US National Sitting team...she's such a gem for BGSU.
Coach B said, obviously, the O line is the most important area going into the year....Mentioned how difficult the out of conf schedule is. I am ready for kickoff yesterday. Hammb, Coach said hey.
He remembers meeting you at Pollyeyes.
Coaches Winger and Young spoke about the recent success on the golf course. Both metioned accomplishments in invitationals and rankings.
The trivia questions were harder this time around but I did win a new BG mousepad...any BG item that falls my way, I'm a happy camper. Nice seeing Hockey Sue working the sign in table. She's a true FALCON.
These Barnstorming stops are a very good idea and it would be cool to see as many BG fans attend them as possible. The coaches are all there and willing to answer questions and talk about the state of their programs. Straight from the sources themselves.
And one other thing I'll say...all these coaches have the utmost respect for their peers. We have OUTSTANDING people in place to run these programs and coach the teams.
I look for an awesome 2008-9 school year with BG sports...
ROLL ALONG!
Should be a great time...BG coaches and student athletes show up. Great chance to ask questions covering a lot of things.
