Posted: Mar 12, 2013
Previous Blogs: Sunday | Monday
If the early bird catches the worm, then an early eagle is hoping to capture an opening round win as the team was up before the sun rose this morning with an early practice scheduled.� Focus and tempo were the key early on as the squad only had an hour to go through their final drills and sets before finally putting it to test tomorrow.� While stressing the need to come out with an intensity tomorrow, coach James Arnold also reminded them�of the�confidence the staff and he has in their ability to come�out and garner�an opening round win.
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After the practice, the coaching staff and crew�were able to tour the Frankfort Convention Center�and gain an appreciation for the opportunity that lies ahead of them. The game plan is set, players know their responsibilities,�the arrangements�have�been made and now the�Green & Black waits for their chance to�leave their mark on the national scene.��
A lunch at Big Boy's restaurant allowed everyone to relax and�swap stories with one another as Coach Arnold rehashed his own memories from working�in�the fast food business as a young student.� It is almost ironic how simple moments like these that you share with your teammates and friends are ones that stick with you forever when experiencing a large moment such as this.��
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During the afternoon, Nicholas Petrone and myself�attended the Sports Information Director's (SID)�meeting to recieve our responsibilities and credentials�during our team's games.� I was able to see where I would be calling the game tomorrow and couldn't�help but visualize calling a Nuss 3-pointer or a Britney Joseph�block that would seal a win for our women. At this point, I am beginning to get extremely anxious (and I am not even playing!) for our matchup against Oklahoma City.��
This evening�the team, along with the coaching staff (Arnold, Greg Ray, Dustyn Yung,�Nicole Trawick, Janette Burgin), trainer Elyce Lamphere,�strength coach Robert Thomas),�sports information director (Nicholas Petrone),�athletic director (Ken Oliver), and myself (your loyal sports reporter), attended the Banquet of Champions at Kentucky State University. The dedication of this support staff is a true testament to the success this program has achieved. The event began with honoring the first Women's Basketball National Champion, Kentucky State University, from 1981. Each team, along with the Champions of Character members and Scholar-Athletes were also recognized. Brittney Hotsenpiller was our Champions of Character representative. Raylyn Nuss,�Kaitlyn Joe Douglas, Nakia Robinson, and Allison Durst were also honored as Scholar-Athletes for having at least a 3.5 G.P.A.!��
On the bus ride back to the hotel, Coach Arnold�expressed his appreciation for all the hard work the team has put in this year and the goals that they have accomplished while also reminding them�of the�opportunity that lies ahead of them and his�confidence in their ability to execute and win this game.��
Well, it has been�a long day, and�I have a busy day tomorrow so I am going to let you all go. We will be offering a free live audio broadcast for the CMU game tomorrow beginning at 10:45 a.m. CT. Thank you to all of�our followers and hopefully�I will be able to continue�this for several days to come!
