Another day in Springfield is wrapping up as we close in on 11 pm EDT. A nice evening was had by the Mustangs as the Elite Eight host committee hosted a meet and greet with local fourth graders at the Basketball Hall of Fame. You can see on the pictures it was a special night.
As we entered the Hall of Fame, the team was introduced and was greeted by hundreds of local school kids and their parents. What I was told was local school kids have been following the tournament the past few weeks and learning about each region of the country. It was tremendous to see the kids, as they got a chance to get autographs from the teams and take pictures. We handed out SMSU pennants and SMSU stress relievers (those little things you can squeeze) to the kids. We now have gained SMSU fans in the Springfield area. I also wanted to drop them an application form for college as I told them as a member of the Class of 2017, you have to think about your future.
We also thought about dropping off some mini-Mustang and summer camp brochures. Maybe next year.
Following the meet and greet, headed back to the hotel and then had a team reception across the street at the Marriot. All eight teams were in attendance as the local committee served the teams hot dogs, burgers, ice cream and beverages. The food was much needed and tasted great.
On the big screen TV during the reception, they showed highlights of past Division II championship games on CBS-TV. Good stuff to watch. The 1994 final (I think it was 1994 or maybe 1995) it showed the head coaches shaking hands after the game between Cal State Bakersfield and Southern Indiana. The Southern Indiana head coach at the time? It was Bruce Pearl, now head coach at Tennessee. Also shown were highlights of Metro State and its head coach at the time, Mike Dunlap, who is now assistant coach at Arizona. Some great coaches, as we all know, have coached at the D2 level.
Guys then went back to their room and relaxed for the night, while the rest of us had some administrative meetings as we prepare for the official practices and media obligations set for Tuesday.
Early morning on Tuesday, up at 7 am, breakfast at 8 am, practice at 10 am over at American International and then a walk-through at 12 pm at the MassMutual Center. This 55-minute practice is open to the public.
Have a good night Mustang fans.
As we entered the Hall of Fame, the team was introduced and was greeted by hundreds of local school kids and their parents. What I was told was local school kids have been following the tournament the past few weeks and learning about each region of the country. It was tremendous to see the kids, as they got a chance to get autographs from the teams and take pictures. We handed out SMSU pennants and SMSU stress relievers (those little things you can squeeze) to the kids. We now have gained SMSU fans in the Springfield area. I also wanted to drop them an application form for college as I told them as a member of the Class of 2017, you have to think about your future.
We also thought about dropping off some mini-Mustang and summer camp brochures. Maybe next year.
Following the meet and greet, headed back to the hotel and then had a team reception across the street at the Marriot. All eight teams were in attendance as the local committee served the teams hot dogs, burgers, ice cream and beverages. The food was much needed and tasted great.
On the big screen TV during the reception, they showed highlights of past Division II championship games on CBS-TV. Good stuff to watch. The 1994 final (I think it was 1994 or maybe 1995) it showed the head coaches shaking hands after the game between Cal State Bakersfield and Southern Indiana. The Southern Indiana head coach at the time? It was Bruce Pearl, now head coach at Tennessee. Also shown were highlights of Metro State and its head coach at the time, Mike Dunlap, who is now assistant coach at Arizona. Some great coaches, as we all know, have coached at the D2 level.
Guys then went back to their room and relaxed for the night, while the rest of us had some administrative meetings as we prepare for the official practices and media obligations set for Tuesday.
Early morning on Tuesday, up at 7 am, breakfast at 8 am, practice at 10 am over at American International and then a walk-through at 12 pm at the MassMutual Center. This 55-minute practice is open to the public.
Have a good night Mustang fans.
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