Good afternoon and welcome back to Springfield. I’d first like to thank everyone for their kind words about the “Hey Loft” blog. It’s enjoyable to write about the happenings of SMSU basketball during the trip and help keep you all connected. Wish you could be here.
We had a 55-minute practice today the MassMutual Center, the arena for the Elite Eight. They have minor league hockey in Springfield and this is their home arena most nights. But it’s all basketball this week.
Nice setup for everyone at the arena. Locker rooms facilities are nice, big press room, press conference area is also set up well. Also, the arena has a huge overhead scoreboard above the court.
Butch Raymond, NSIC commish, and former SMSU A.D. arrived today and will be at the tournament all week. He showed up near the end of practice.
Following the practice, we all headed to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for a chance to see kids of all ages who are in the hospital for various reasons. Great experience for all parties involved. Our guys were great with the patients and I’m sure we brightened their day as well. Pictures were taken, autographs given out, along with other SMSU goodies.
It’s now 4 p.m. in Springfield and we have some down time until the press conference at 6 p.m. All eight coaches will speak to the media that are attending the event. At 7 p.m. the official banquet will take place. Our travel party will be looking sharp, as we don our new SMSU shirts that were made just for the trip.
The van ride to the hospital was very smooth. Our host led the way, but the directions they gave didn’t help because of construction. So we only had to make one u-turn on this drive. The only other news is there is now a battle on which van, mine or the Scott Roehl/Trent Carlson van, is the “cool” van. I like to tell them I “educate” in my van, not just play time. I’m still sticking with the Loft, DeMasi, Krome, Peschong and Dale van as “the one”.
DeMasi has had to deal with some ribbing in the van about being named All-America today. What a great honor for Ross as he becomes just the second NCAA All-America in program history. If Ross sits in the front seat someone yells, “ah yeah, All-American gets the best seat”, etc. All in fun of course.
We'll speak again Mustang fans later tonight.
We had a 55-minute practice today the MassMutual Center, the arena for the Elite Eight. They have minor league hockey in Springfield and this is their home arena most nights. But it’s all basketball this week.
Nice setup for everyone at the arena. Locker rooms facilities are nice, big press room, press conference area is also set up well. Also, the arena has a huge overhead scoreboard above the court.
Butch Raymond, NSIC commish, and former SMSU A.D. arrived today and will be at the tournament all week. He showed up near the end of practice.
Following the practice, we all headed to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for a chance to see kids of all ages who are in the hospital for various reasons. Great experience for all parties involved. Our guys were great with the patients and I’m sure we brightened their day as well. Pictures were taken, autographs given out, along with other SMSU goodies.
It’s now 4 p.m. in Springfield and we have some down time until the press conference at 6 p.m. All eight coaches will speak to the media that are attending the event. At 7 p.m. the official banquet will take place. Our travel party will be looking sharp, as we don our new SMSU shirts that were made just for the trip.
The van ride to the hospital was very smooth. Our host led the way, but the directions they gave didn’t help because of construction. So we only had to make one u-turn on this drive. The only other news is there is now a battle on which van, mine or the Scott Roehl/Trent Carlson van, is the “cool” van. I like to tell them I “educate” in my van, not just play time. I’m still sticking with the Loft, DeMasi, Krome, Peschong and Dale van as “the one”.
DeMasi has had to deal with some ribbing in the van about being named All-America today. What a great honor for Ross as he becomes just the second NCAA All-America in program history. If Ross sits in the front seat someone yells, “ah yeah, All-American gets the best seat”, etc. All in fun of course.
We'll speak again Mustang fans later tonight.
Best of luck guy. Play tought.
ReplyDeleteBen Beckman
Hi Kevin
Congrats to Ross! Really proud of all of you. I'm sure the kids at the hospital and all of the other kids the guys have met really appreciate having the guys there. I can vouch first hand on how humble all the players are and how great they are with kids. Keep up the good work guys and thans for the great updates Kelly, it is really appreciated!
ReplyDeleteNice article in the Star Tribune. Coach is really right, this is a group that is a great group of teammates. These guys epitomize unselfishness.
ReplyDeleteI'd for sure say your van is the cool van, except you DO have the Nick Dale in your van...that might give Scooter and TC a bit of an edge...you can tell Dale I said that
ReplyDelete