tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44437856507950176092024-03-13T15:14:38.750-07:00MavBlogVarsity athletics at Minnesota State has existed since 1922. The Mavericks of today compete in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (NCAA DI) and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Association (NCAA DII). Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-2654121036463918552021-09-16T14:54:00.002-07:002021-09-16T14:56:14.831-07:00 Jay Larson's Journey from the Mavericks to the Golden Bears<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="BasicParagraph"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9AP86segGA/YUO7-hvWq-I/AAAAAAAAB34/NWr37Mdyu78sN5yV_bXB2WGxRzDGKVXZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/larson.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9AP86segGA/YUO7-hvWq-I/AAAAAAAAB34/NWr37Mdyu78sN5yV_bXB2WGxRzDGKVXZgCLcBGAsYHQ/w490-h372/larson.jpeg" width="490" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay Larson (second from the right) with </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of his Maverick</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teammates.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Like many people coming into college, it’s hard figure
out where you’ll be in five years or what it is that you want to do with your
life.Jay Larson, senior associate athletics director and administrator, at
University of California was in a similar position.<p></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">Larson hails from Saint Francis, Minn., and when it
came time to decide where to attend college in 1997, he chose to stay in-state
and attend Minnesota State University, Mankato. Receiving a scholarship to play
basketball was his primary motivation for attending MSU.His scholarship wasn’t
the only factor which led him to Minnesota State. At the time of his decision,
his father was a successful high school basketball coach and his brother was
attending the University of North Dakota. His desire to play basketball at the
highest level he could, along with Mankato’s close proximity to his family,
were a few other factors that lead him to the Mavericks.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The proximity
to my hometown factored in, to be able to enable my parents and family to
travel around the upper Midwest and watch me compete,” said Larson.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to an
injury, Larson redshirted his freshman year but was able to get back on the
court 1998-02. When it came to academics, Larson had a tough time choosing
which direction to take. After changing his major six times, he eventually
landed on a major in marketing and minor in political science. It wasn’t until
his junior year in college that he decided he wanted to pursue a law degree.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was a son of
a coach, so I always had an interest in athletics, but I wasn’t sure whether I
wanted to coach. I just kind of found myself reading more and more about the
law and the sports law and the business of sport,” Larson said.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mentioning
further that it all came together and decided to get his business degree at
Minnesota State and then pursue his law degree, where he would eventually
receive after his time at the University of Minnesota. </p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">After graduating in the spring of 2002, Larson jumped
right into studying law at the U of M in fall of 2002 and completed his degree
in 2005. After one year at law school, he landed an internship at the
University of Minnesota’s athletic department in their athletic compliance
office for two years.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">Despite having a fulltime job at a law firm lined up
for after graduation, he decided to not take the job and follow his passion. “I
had a job lined up to work at a midsized law firm in the Twin Cities, where I
also had done a clerkship,” said Larson. “I just decided to follow my passion I
guess and I took a 50 percent pay cut by taking the job in the athletic
department at the U and spent three years there working in the compliance
office.”</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">After spending three years in the compliance office
post-graduation, he was able to land a job at San Diego State University.
Larson has always been a big proponent in following your passion and hasn’t
regretted his decision.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">When he was hired at SDSU, he was hired on as an
assistant AD for compliance and eventually received the associate AD of
compliance. With a lot of the people in NCAA having a law degree, Larson
credits his law degree that has helped him in the compliance department.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">One thing Larson notes that was rewarding during his
time at SDSU was playing a role in helping the sport’s program. Naming Kawhi
Leonard and Stephen Strasburg as a few athletes that was a spark in the right
direction.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">After spending about seven years at San Diego State,
Larson landed a job at University of California working as a senior associate
athletics director and administrator.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">When talking about his time at Cal, Larson said,
“University of California is a special place, it’s the No. 1 public school in
the world,” Larson said. “We’re combining elite athletics, the highest level of
college athletics, at an elite academic school and there are not that many in
the country that are able to say that.”</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">Larson doesn’t like to put a timeframe on his future
but said that working as an athletics director in the future would be something
he would enjoy doing. </p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">“I have a young family, three young boys and we really
enjoy living here and I enjoy our football program is on the rise,” said
Larson. “It’s been fun to be a part of and we’ll ride this out and just see
what develops.”</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">The most important thing lessons he gained from his
time with Dan McCarrell, who coached the Mavericks from 1984-2001, were learned
by being a student-athlete. He explained that being a teammate is what helped
get him where he is today.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">“Be a good teammate really first and foremost, right?
All great things in life are accomplished by teams,” said Larson. “To really
learn how to be successful as an individual within the context of the team to
help the team succeed is something that I really take away from as my time as a
college student athlete.”</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">There were many people in Larson’s network that helped
him be where he is now, whether that be coaches, boosters or friends.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">Larson is excited to be where he is now in life and is
looking forward to what’s to come.</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph">“It’s been a fun five years for me personally, you know
sometimes I still have to pinch myself.”</p>
<p class="BasicParagraph"><i>Contributed by Andrew Neururer, Athletic Communications
intern</i></p>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-87037079107888115652021-04-14T11:50:00.002-07:002021-04-14T11:50:13.888-07:00Center of Things<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGFsn98kUi0/YHc3fIkSL7I/AAAAAAAABys/4q0fuKMnT3gQMpnmjdtyyC1FxdQxV9ONACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/donovan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="661" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGFsn98kUi0/YHc3fIkSL7I/AAAAAAAABys/4q0fuKMnT3gQMpnmjdtyyC1FxdQxV9ONACLcBGAsYHQ/w220-h320/donovan.jpg" title="Dan Donovan was All-NCC as a senior in 1989" width="220" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Dan Donovan was an All-NCC<br />center for the Mavericks in 1989</b></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Former Minnesota State football offensive lineman<b> Dan Donovan</b> played for the
Mavericks from 1985 to 1989. In 1987 Minnesota State
finished with an 9-3 record, 8-1 in the NCC finishing first and claiming
North Central Conference champions and in doing so, became a part of the first
Maverick football team to make an NCAA tournament appearance.</p><p>A 1985 graduate of Burnsville (Minn.) High School and a First Team All-North Central Conference selection for the Mavericks in 1989, Donovan went on after college graduation to get his master’s degree from Georgia
Tech while serving as a graduate assistant coach for the Georgia Tech
football team. After graduating from Georgia Tech, Donovan worked on the
event side of sports. He ran sports technology for the 1996 Summer
Olympic local committee in Atlanta. Dan continued to work Olympic games being the
Head of Sport Competition in the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Then in Athletes
2004 and Beijing 2006 he was the Consultant for Venue and Games
readiness. </p><p> Now Donovan is the founder and managing partner for
Stratoscope security and crowd management. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog:</b> Talk about your playing days here at Minnesota State, what do you remember the most? </p><p> </p><p><b>Dan
Donovan (DD):</b> I enjoyed all five years I was with the Mavericks! The 1987
North Central Conference championship and NCAA playoff year was a special team to be a
part of. Beating North Dakota State in Fargo that season was a real highlight! I
happened to have had mono leading up to that game and It was my first
game back, so it was a huge win that led us to believe we could be NCC
Champions! </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b>How would you describe winning the NCC and being the first Minnesota State football team to make the NCAA tournament? </p><p> </p><p><b>DD:
</b>The experience is hard to describe given the growth of the program and
how quickly the pieces came together. Alot of the credit goes to those
who laid the foundation before our ’87 team. I came in with the ’85
class and we had great upper-class leadership. We lost our starting QB,
<b> Greg Von der Lippe</b>, in the middle of the year and fortunately <b>Mike
McDevitt</b> did a great job stepping for Greg. </p><p><b>MavBlog:</b> Do you still keep in touch with any of your former teammates? </p><p> </p><p><b>DD:</b>
We have a group that stays connected (Darryl Wills, Von der Lippe, Chad Gossard,
Ken Otto, Dain Jeppson, Ron Dorf and Drew Ekstrom) communicate regularly. We each have
others that we are connected to that keeps us all together. </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog:</b> How much pride do you take in the success of the Minnesota State football team now? </p><p> </p><p><b>DD:
</b>I follow as much as possible. I live in Palm Beach, Fla., now so I am not
as connected as I could be, but our group keeps us all informed. I am
closely watching the Mavericks in the Frozen Four this week given the NCAA is
a major client of my company. </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog:</b> Talk about how head coach <b>Dan Runkle</b> had an impact on your life? </p><p> </p><p><b>DD:
</b> Coach Runkle led the effort building the foundation to get to the ’87
Championship. Coach Krohn, Schlichte, Roach and others were great
mentors. As a center I was closest to Coach Krohn, he did a great job
balancing the personalities! </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b>Tell us about your family. </p><p> </p><p><b>DD:
</b> I have two great kids, Sydni (22) and Chance (21) who were born in
Sydney, Australia while I was in charge of the sports department for the
Sydney Olympics. Sydni plays college basketball and Chance works for a
division of my company. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b>What are you doing now and how did you get to do that? </p><p> </p><p><b>DD:</b>
I own and run two companies, Stratoscope and Ingressotek, in the sport
& entertainment industry. Our typical clients are teams, leagues,
stadiums and major events. I began in the event industry, after leaving
Georgia Tech as a grad assistant in 1994, starting with the 1996
Atlanta Olympics. I have been fortunate to work with 7 Olympic
Games, 13 Super Bowls, 4 NBA All-Star weekends, numerous engagements
with the NCAA and many stadiums and arenas over the past 20+ years. </p><p> My
Stratoscope team is currently working with the NCAA on the delivery of
all the 2021 Championships. We have a full time Operations Center in
NCAA HQ in Indianapolis staffed by our team and staff at each round of
every event operationalizing the Resturn to Championships Protocols we
wrote in 2020. My leads at the Di Hockey Regionals were very busy
dealing with issues with the Notre Dame and Michigan hockey teams and
their COVID results onsite. With the completion and Men’s and Women’s
Final Fours we have completed over 50 events in the past 6 weeks. </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b>What is it like working during the Super Bowl? </p><p> </p><p><b>DD:
</b>Super Bowls are a unique experience! Our engagement started after they
had multiple challenges with the game in Houston, streaker, ingress
challenges and a halftime wardrobe malfunction that included Justin
Timberlake and Janet Jackson. We were hired as the “what if”
operational readiness team and helped the NFL develop contingencies and
more robust NFL Control centralized operations on game day. Our first
Super Bowl in Jacksonville, the service level of the stadium basically
flooded during pre-game, just a few operational challenges! Was involved
in the lights going out in New Orleans, train problems in NY/NJ and a
variety of issues along the way. It’s a great event to be a part of
working alongside a large team of experts. </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b>What is it like working the Olympics? And what is the most memorable one? </p><p> </p><p><b>DD:
</b>International events are completely different beast. From language
challenges to various funding models the objectives for each organizing
committee vary. Bringing 28 Olympic sports together during a two-week
event in one city is a significant challenge. My most memorable was
the 2000 Sydney Olympics! I was essentially the Athletic Director
responsible for the delivery of all 28 sports. I had the opportunity to
travel the world attending events and International Federation meetings
while leading a team for 400 staff and 8,000 volunteers dedicated to
providing the best events we could for the athletes. All of the
politics aside that is what we the Olympics are there for. I also had
the opportunity to be an Olympic Torch runner that year which is one of
the most memorable experiences from the Games. </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog:</b> Do you still come back for some Football games or any Mavericks athletics? </p><p> </p><p><b>DD: </b>The last game I was able to attend was the national championship game in McKinney, Tex. We had a great group of alumni at
that game. Prior to that it was the reunion of the 1987 team in 2017.
We had a great turnout there and it was fantastic to catch up with a
number of our former teammates.</p><p><i> Contributed by Tanner Johnson, Minnesota Athletic Communications intern </i><br /></p>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-18228827381146331612021-02-17T09:23:00.002-08:002021-02-17T09:32:01.298-08:00Rushing Ahead<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9G-qWJwHdgM/YC1PXvU9rcI/AAAAAAAABxM/9fbmHgNqfNsBMgO4HTGiLROmGXgEsv4BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2214/otto-Heim.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="2214" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9G-qWJwHdgM/YC1PXvU9rcI/AAAAAAAABxM/9fbmHgNqfNsBMgO4HTGiLROmGXgEsv4BwCLcBGAsYHQ/w553-h264/otto-Heim.jpg" width="553" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Minnesota State has been one of the most dominant NCAA Division II football programs of the last decade and a case could be made that one of the key reasons for the success starts with the Maverick offensive line.</p><p>These things are cyclical, of course and long-time followers of the program will point to the <b>Bob Otto</b>-<b>era </b>of the 1950s and 1960s when the likes of Hall of Fame running back <b>Bernie Maczuga</b> rambled for 3,129 yards along the ground from 1967-69. The program had All-Americans in the trenches with the likes of <b>Scott Annexstad</b> and <b>Duane Goldammer</b> in the late 1980s when the Mavericks featured an option-oriented offense, but it's only been recently that the program's rushing numbers from those times have been surpassed in the school's record books.<br /></p><p> </p><p><b>Todd Hoffner </b>was named head coach of the Mavericks before the start of the 2008 season and he transformed a team that
finished 4-7 the year before into a team that finished 9-3, won the
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division and qualified for
the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in school history. </p><p>In 2007, Minnesota State finished 4-7 while throwing the ball for 376.4 yards a
game and rushing for 41.5 yards a game. Hoffner changed the narrative to
running the ball. In his second season in 2009, Minnesota State
finished with a 10-2 record and were NSIC South Division Champions. The
Mavericks qualified for their second straight NCAA Tournament
and hosted the first playoff game at Blakeslee Stadium for the first time. That year, they
ran for 216.8 yards per game and 34 total rushing touchdowns while
throwing the ball for 180.8 yards per game and putting up 23 touchdowns
through the air. Hoffner quickly turned that pass-first offense around
with a win-in-the trenches mentality where his team ran the ball through
opponents unrelentlessly. </p><p><b>Chad Henning</b>, a Sun Prairie, Wis., native who played on the Minnesota
State offensive line from 2007-11, now is a coach with the Mavericks where he serves as the program's offensive line coach.
He had been a part of two completely different offensive schemes while
at MSU. </p><p> </p><p>“Well, my freshman year we were a 95% passing
offense,” Coach Henning said. “When Coach Hoffner got here, we changed
that completely. We ran the ball about 60% of the time and had some
really good luck doing so. The size of the offensive line helped run
block for sure.” </p><p> </p><p>You cannot run the football without a
great offensive line. Over the course of history, Minnesota State
football has had 18 All-American offensive linemen, dating back to 1974
when <b>Dan Miller </b>was the first offensive linemen to receive All-American
honors. Minnesota State’s <b>Evan Heim</b>, who was named an All-American in
2018 and 2019, was the last Maverick lineman to be honored before he
graduated in the fall of 2019. Heim, who started in all 54 games at left
tackle during his career at MSU, was the anchor in the offensive line
while the Mavericks made a run at the national championship in 2019 - group of offensive linemen that refer to themselves The Hogs. </p><p> </p><p>“Being a hog offensive lineman just meant about
being something bigger than yourself and offensive line is one of the
only positions in sports where all five guys need to do their job in
order for us to be successful,” Heim said. </p><p> </p><p>As successful
as they were, in the 2019 season the Mavericks set a program record
4,246 total yards along with the single-season rushing yards record, the
Mavericks also set records in points scored (712), rushing attempts
(713) and rushing touchdowns (59) and ranked fifth in the nation for
rushing offense. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>“We
were very dominate up front but the offensive line only gets you so far
like ten yards but all runs more than that is thanks to offensive line
sustaining blocks and caring about the team and doing it for the team
and wide receiver downfield blocking where most schools wide receiver
don’t care about blocking and normally wide receiver are very selfish
but not at Mankato,” Heim said. “Also helps to have great tight end
(<b>Tyler Schmidt</b>) and an All-American running back (<b>Nate Gunn</b>). Having a
great offensive line is just part of the equation.” </p><p> </p><p>Minnesota
State takes pride in its offensive line and bringing in the best
linemen every year. The Mavericks rushing offense had made the top 20 in the
nation seven out of the last nine years. Those two seasons they did not,
were the only two seasons they lost more than one game, one was in
2015, they finished 10-2, with 227.7 rushing yards per game, 25th in the
nation for rushing offense. The other was in 2016 where they finished
8-3, with only 169.5 rushing yards per game, 60th in the nation for
rushing offense. </p><p> </p><p><b> Colin Prosser</b> joined the Minnesota State staff as offensive line coach in 2017 and now serves as the program's offensive coordinator. Under his leadership the Maverick offensive line led a
third-ranked rushing offense in the nation with 4,036 rushing yards on
the year for an average of 288.3 rushing yards per game in his first year. The Mavericks
set a program single-season rushing yards record with 4,246 yards on the
ground in 2019. MSU also set records in points scored (712), rushing
attempts (713) and rushing touchdowns (59) and ranked fifth in the
nation for rushing offense.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>“Coach
Prosser has done a great job of holding everyone accountable and
getting the most out of his players,” said Henning. “We are a lot
better now than we were back then when I played, not only as a talent
level but also from a depth perspective. We have a lot more pride in the
offensive line room now.”</p><p><i> Contributed by Tanner Johnson, Minnesota State Athletic Communications student intern </i><br /></p><p> </p>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-51500352044566857012021-02-11T13:30:00.008-08:002021-02-11T13:35:38.297-08:00Checking in with Rachel Shumski<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trj-0XlDv1Q/YCWh2r-cvEI/AAAAAAAABws/vYEpHxlmPq4Vx2H2Dd5e5U9ETeFAVwJswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Shumski_Rachel1.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trj-0XlDv1Q/YCWh2r-cvEI/AAAAAAAABws/vYEpHxlmPq4Vx2H2Dd5e5U9ETeFAVwJswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Shumski_Rachel1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel Shumski is averaging 13.6 points<br />per game as a senior for Minnesota State<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>A senior forward (and a graduate student academically) with the Minnesota State women’s basketball team, <b>Rachel Shumski</b> is a three-time member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Academic Team. She's also president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. MavBlog took a moment to check in with the Granada, Minn., native to see how she and and head coach <b>Emilee Thiesse</b> are doing in this challenging season. <p></p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog:</b> How is the season going? </p><p><b>Rachel
Shumski (RS):</b> The season is going well as we can play and have the
opportunity to get better each day. Not many teams have that
opportunity, and I (we) are so grateful. </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b> What are some challenges you see when displaying leadership to a young team? </p><p><b>RS</b>:
Some challenges that I see when displaying my leadership style or
leadership (in general): creating the understanding that the
expectations are the same for everyone - no matter your age, etc. </p><p><b>MavBlog:</b> How stressful is COVID testing protocols and why? </p><p><b>RS:
</b> COVID testing protocols are not stressful for the student-athletes as
it has created the opportunity for us to play. I can see this being
stressful for others involved - trainers, athletic administration,
coaches, etc. </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b> How frustrating is it when there are schedule changes to your games? </p><p><b>RS:</b>
It may be frustrating at the moment, as we love to plan - everyone
loves to plan! But, again, we must look back and understand that this an
opportunity that we can play rather than dwell on the changes that we
can't control. </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b> How do you feel about how this season is going so far? </p><p><b>RS:</b>
The season has contained some highs and lows, but it sure has been fun
to compete with my best friends beside me. We have four games left
before the conference tournament. Taking and applying the learning
lessons from the lows throughout the season will help us as a team have
success as we move forward. </p><p> </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b>Can you tell me about a time that Rachel demonstrated leadership skills? </p><p><b>Emilee
Thiesse (ET):</b> Rachel is a natural born leader. Rachel has gone above
and beyond to keep our team connected. At times when we have had
players in quarantine, she has been a true servant leader in reaching
out to her teammates, checking-in regularly, offering to help anyone in
need of supplies, etc. She truly cares about her teammates and their
overall wellbeing. She has always had the natural ability to lead both
in her communication and in her effort. As a sophomore Rachel
experienced a season ending injury which can be hard to manage
physically, but almost more of the battle during injuries is the
emotional and mental toll it can take. Rachel handled her situation
with an incredible amount of poise, maturity, and selflessness. She
never felt sorry for herself and always put the team first! She would
do her injury rehab around practice time, then during practice she was
as engaged as the healthy players. She was consistently bringing energy
and positivity, staying involved in drills and huddles, coaching younger
players between reps, etc. </p><p>It made a significant impact on our
team that even if Rachel wasn’t out on the court competing, we still
felt her leadership and presence day in and day out. When she was
cleared to return to basketball activities it was such a natural
transition back to the chemistry on the team because of the involvement
and leadership she brought while she was out. </p><p><b>MavBlog: </b> How does she hold her teammates accountable? </p><p><b>ET:</b>
She is so caring for those around her, always bringing positivity and
lifting others up. She has a great balance of holding her teammates
accountable by knowing what each teammate needs in a given situation and
how to get through to them. Her teammates know that she cares for them
and wants them to be their best.</p><p><i><b> Contributed by Mason Tonsager, Athletic Communications student intern </b></i><br /></p>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-26894934239132542202020-10-29T08:27:00.005-07:002020-10-29T09:46:07.328-07:00Where Are They Now? Blaine Joerger<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sAvSQvMIno/X5rdxvZo0NI/AAAAAAAABuI/R6l1YDfzmios8PAWGJ89iIGLG6RgVVImwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1291/joerger.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="804" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sAvSQvMIno/X5rdxvZo0NI/AAAAAAAABuI/R6l1YDfzmios8PAWGJ89iIGLG6RgVVImwCLcBGAsYHQ/w205-h328/joerger.jpg" width="205" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Blaine Joerger racked up<br />1,475 points in his four years with <br />the Mavericks</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Former Minnesota State men’s basketball guard <b>Blaine Joerger </b>played from 1996 until 2000 with the Mavericks where he was one of the best three-point sharp-shooters and overall scorers to ever don the Purple & Gold.</span><p><span style="font-size: small;">The Staples, Minn., native held the school record for most three-pointers made with 241 when he graduated in 2000, a record that was later broken by a recent inductee into the Minnesota State University Hall of Fame, Luke Anderson. Joerger ranked sixth all-time in scoring upon graduation and currently ranks tenth all-time with 1,475 points. Joerger scored 407 points in his sophomore season, 500 points in his junior season and 395 points in his senior season as a Maverick. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">Joerger also ranks third on the single-season three-point field goals made list with 87 made during his junior season.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">On back-to-back nights back in 1999, Joerger enjoyed what was probably his best weekend of college basketball when he scored 40 points vs. Augustana and 42 against South Dakota State. All told, he shot 25-of-42 from the field, including 17 of 31 from three-point range,
and was 15 of 18 on free throws. <br /><br />While playing basketball for the Mavericks, Joerger ended up interning with Northwestern Mutual in Mankato back in 1999 and he has been with the company ever since.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">MavBlog checked in this week with Joerger who now resides with his family in Richfield, Minn.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog:</b> What are you up to these days?<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b>Living in Richfield, where I first moved to after graduating college. I work as a financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual, the same job and company I started with as a college intern while playing for the Mavericks!<br /><br /><b>MavBlog:</b> Tell us about your family.<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b>Wife, Kyla, and three kids. Our oldest son is a junior this year in high school and plays soccer and basketball. Have a seventh grade daughter who is also into basketball and tennis and our youngest is in first grade and she does whatever her older siblings are doing!<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>How has Minnesota State affected your career after college?<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b>While I played for the Mavericks, I made several great relationships with professors, coaches, and other students. Having been on the basketball team, I was fortunate to be able to meet a number of community members as well as other athletes within the University. These interactions were beneficial as I transitioned from college to the work force.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog:</b> Following his college playing career, your brother David has gone on to a coaching career that includes NBA head-coaching stints with Memphis and Sacramento. What kind of impact has your brother had on you?<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b>While in high school and college Dave made a tremendous impact on me and the athlete I became. Very few people understand what he did and went through to get where he is today, but I was fortunate enough to have a front row seat! Yes, he is gifted in the sense of basketball acumen, but the amount of work he put in and the sacrifices he made are what set him apart. His dedication and work ethic (along with high expectations within our high school programs) set the bar high for me early in my athletic career. I learned from Dave that natural talent alone wasn’t going to make me successful.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>What were some of your most memorable moments as a Maverick?<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b>It may seem a little cliché, but the most memorable moments are those with my teammates outside of games. Don’t get me wrong, my brain works in such a way that I could still tell you how many points I scored, how I scored them and the shots I missed from a good number of games in college. However, most of my retrievable memories include personal interactions and activities with my teammates.<br /><br />If we’re talking on the court memorable moments —<br /> • Beating SDSU the last weekend of the season at Otto when they were ranked #1 in the country (during my sophomore season) that gave us a shot at being selected to NCAA tournament, which ended up not happening.<br /><br /> • January of 1999 games - I had a decent month and was named National D2 player for the month.<br /><br /> • Playing the last collegiate basketball game at Otto with the knowledge of the rich history of all that had taken place within the arena.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>What was it like playing in Otto Arena?<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b>I have mixed feelings about Otto. When I was recruited to play, the idea was that home conference games were going to be played at the civic center, which had recently been built. That never transpired, which is too bad. Otto was really fun to play in when it’d get filled up- but I’ll tell you I don’t miss running on the concrete like floor! I’ll always be able to say I played the last college basketball game in Otto my senior year. I can also say it was tough to watch the new Taylor Center being built and walking by it each day knowing I was one year off from playing in it!<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>Do you keep in touch with any of your former teammates from Minnesota State?<br /><b>Blaine Joerger:</b> Yep, quite a few actually. The cool thing about the relationships I built while playing basketball in Mankato is that I keep in touch with two different age “tiers” on a regular basis. I have the guys my age and older and then the crew that was younger as I was finishing college. Each group gets together at least once per year, including a fantasy football league that I started while in college as a team bonding activity that is still active. Some of my best friends are from the basketball team.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>Tell us about your experience with your coach with the Mavericks, Dan McCarrell.<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b>Mac was great and I’m very appreciative of him allowing the me the opportunity to play college basketball. He is simply a good, down to earth type of guy who cared for his players. Coach was full of basketball knowledge and I always enjoyed listening to his stories. I still keep in touch and now swap some of my own basketball stories with him!<br /><br /><b>MavBlog:</b> Tell us about your experience with refereeing high school and college basketball.<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b>I got into officiating basketball while in college as I was intrigued to experience the game from an unbiased viewpoint and wanted to put my own basketball experience as a player to work. Plus, it was a great way to earn some money while doing something I enjoyed!<br /><br />After college, I found officiating to be a way to stay connected to the sport as I had zero desire to coach. Also, I wanted to give back to the game as I didn’t always feel all officials fully understood the game from a player standpoint. I was fairly successful and given some opportunities early in my career to move up through the high school ranks. I also had a couple doors open to break into the local D2, D3 & JUCO leagues at a relatively young age. Eventually I only officiated college basketball and attempted to work my way into the D1 level. After several years attempting to get hired onto a D1 staff, I was told by the people in power that it likely wasn’t going to happen. While disappointed, it all worked out with the direction the rest of my life ended up heading. The last year I officiated basketball was the 2013-14 season.<br /><br />Since officiating, I’ve gotten involved in coaching a lot of youth basketball. It’s kind of fun to be one of the few people out there with a good amount of experience from playing, officiating, and coaching and being able to see the game from multiple perspectives at the same time.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>How well did you know another sharp-shooting guard from the Mavericks.........Brian Koepnick?<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b> I got to know him a little bit in the years after I played with the Mavericks. We had lunch a couple of times and we even officiated a few basketball games together. I knew of his battle (Brian Koepnick recently passed away after a lengthy bout with cancer), but he was never one to bring it up. He was a good dude with a positive outlook on life, even in his darkest hours. His legacy will live on as one the best basketball players to ever put on a Maverick jersey.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog:</b> Do you still come back for some Mavericks athletics?<br /><b>Blaine Joerger: </b> Not as much recently as I’d like. It’s amazing how quickly a calendar can fill up with your own kids! The guys I played with attempt to come back at least one time per season to take in a basketball game. I’ve missed the past couple of years due to scheduling conflicts, but it’s always fun to come back when I can. I’ve brought a few of my son’s traveling basketball teams to play in winter tourneys played at MSU simply because of my history at the school - has been a good reason to make a trip to Mankato!<br /><br /> <i>Contributed by Hogan Greenwood, Minnesota State Athletic Communications intern</i></span></p>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-65891832205290078182020-10-22T09:37:00.003-07:002020-10-22T18:03:33.461-07:00Where Are They Now? Shane Joseph<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayFO2ePBsXM/X5G0Q-SlTWI/AAAAAAAABtc/ZP5jbFgzxY4bCiXNkbpTVMQsqX02-HDwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1125/JosephvsCornell.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1125" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayFO2ePBsXM/X5G0Q-SlTWI/AAAAAAAABtc/ZP5jbFgzxY4bCiXNkbpTVMQsqX02-HDwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/JosephvsCornell.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shane Joseph registered 68 goals and 76 assists<br />for 144 points in 139 games at Minnesota State</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Minnesota State's foray into the NCAA Division I men's hockey ranks only goes back into the mid-1990's and it wasn't until the 1999-2000 season that the Mavericks became members of the vaunted Western Collegiate Hockey Association - a league at the time that included the likes of the University of Minnesota, North Dakota, Denver and the University of Wisconsin.<p></p><p>Under the guidance of coaching legend <b>Don Brose</b>, Minnesota State put up a 21-14-4 mark in that first season in the WCHA, but three years later, in 2002-03, the Mavericks made a splash with a regular season that included an amazing 17-game unbeaten streak, a second-place finish in the league standings and the first-ever invitation to the NCAA DI men's hockey postseason tournament.</p><p>The Minnesota State offense that year featured a pair of dynamic forwards from Alberta in junior <b>Shane Joseph</b> and sophomore <b>Grant Stevenson</b>. Joseph finished the year with 29 goals and 36 assists for 65 points in 41 games, while his running mate Stevenson racked up 63 points on 27 goals and 36 points in 38 games. Both were named All-Americans. Stevenson signed a free agent contract with the National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks following the conclusion of the season, while Joseph, who had 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points as a senior with the Mavericks, would also sign with the Sharks following the 2003-04 campaign. </p><p>Joseph, a Brooks, Alta., native, totalled 144 career points and ranks fourth on the school's career scoring charts for the DI-era.</p><p>MavBlog recently checked in with Joseph, who resides with his family in the Twin Cities.<br /></p><p><b>MavBlog: </b>How did you end up playing for Minnesota State?<br /><b>Shane Joseph:</b> I was originally planning on playing major junior. Saskatoon cut me and at that moment I decided to go to college. Playing junior hockey in Canmore I believe Eric Means was the first to come watch, followed by Jutts and Brosie. They asked me to come there a month into the year and I liked what I saw..... had the potential to make an impact on a program and didn’t look back. <br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>You were an All-American on the team that made the school’s first appearance in the NCAA Division I tournament. Tell us what you remember about that season in 2002-03.<br /><b>Shane Joseph: </b>We had such a good group of guys, and it will go down as the most memorable year of hockey I have been a part of. We worked hard, had fun and enjoyed a team confidence that propelled us to go on......what was it 17 games unbeaten? That was Fun!<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>The chemistry you had with a fellow Albertan in Grant Stevenson was noticeable in that great run in 2002-03. What was it like playing with Grant, both with the Mavericks and then later on with Cleveland in the American Hockey League?<br /><b>Shane Joseph: </b>Grant was a special player, very intelligent and extremely skilled......not to mention could fly. We just had great chemistry.......we also pushed each other that year and we had a confidence going out together that we were going to make it happen. <br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>After your time in the San Jose Sharks organization, you headed to Germany where you played for four teams in the DEL. What was it like playing pro hockey in Europe?<br /><b>Shane Joseph: </b>Europe was a lot of fun with a lot of great memories. However, I remember getting there my first day and they dropped me off at my apartment. This was before everyone had cell phones and GPS. They gave me a map, circled the rink and told me to be here at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I remember laying in that apartment with no phone, internet, tv and not speaking a lick of German and asking myself what I got myself into. Made it to the rink the next day and met the team and it was amazing from that point out. The hockey is great, the atmosphere of the games is exciting and it was great to travel and experience the German culture and make some great friendships along the way. <br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>Tell us what you’ve been doing following the conclusion of your professional hockey career.<br /><b>Shane Joseph: </b>I help people buy and sell homes. In other words, I am a realtor here in the Twin Cities. <br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>How did your experience with the Mavericks and Minnesota State serve you after you graduated in 2003-04?<br /><b>Shane Joseph: </b>I was just a punk, naive 18-year old kid coming in......I grew up a lot during my time with the Mavericks. There were a lot of great teammates, coaches and staff who guided me through those five years. Other than the education of course, my time at MSU taught me a lot about being an adult and a professional. <br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>Tell us about your family.<br /><b>Shane Joseph: </b>I am blessed with a beautiful wife (former Minnesota State volleyball player Melanie Jude) and three beautiful daughters. Lydia (9), Adeline (7), and Lucille (2). We are busy with sports and activities......a wise person told me you aren’t busy, you are just are just living full and to embrace it. I try to remind myself of that often :)<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>Do you keep in touch with any of your former Maverick teammates?<br /><b>Shane Joseph: </b>That is one of the best things about playing with this program. The tight-knit bond that is created there not only with players you played with, but with other hockey alumni, as well. There is a large group of us that all hang out in the Twin Cities and, of course, the alumni events throughout the year bring everyone together. <br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>Are you still playing? What else do you do besides work and spending time with your family?<br /><b>Shane Joseph: </b>I started to play a little again last year with some guys, and it was great to get back on the ice. I didn’t play for seven years after I retired and it was good to get back to enjoying the game again. Other than that, you can only have so many hobbies and the one I choose is golf. It has become an addiction :)<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-65046058088222220452020-10-19T11:35:00.006-07:002020-10-19T11:52:39.970-07:00Where Are They Now? Darryl Wills<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8xa4c7Cf9o/X43cP2gU0tI/AAAAAAAABs0/RH1BIe_EcBQ_ZRAMhmA43JdYVzCxiaKnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2025/wills%2Bmsu%2Bposed%2B2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="1300" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8xa4c7Cf9o/X43cP2gU0tI/AAAAAAAABs0/RH1BIe_EcBQ_ZRAMhmA43JdYVzCxiaKnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/wills%2Bmsu%2Bposed%2B2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Darryl Wills was an All-American<br />for the Mavericks in 1987</span></b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Throughout the years, Minnesota State Football has had great success and been fortunate to play in many big playoff games. <br /><br />Realistically, though, considering the fact that varsity football has been here since 1922, NCAA playoff games are a relatively recent phenomenon. The head coach of the Mavericks beginning in 1983 was Dan Runkle. And after a couple of sub-.500 years, things began to get better. By 1986, Runk’s team won six of its seven games, serving as a portent of what was to come next fall. And what did come next fall was a 9-3 overall record and an 8-1 mark in conference play for the program’s first North Central Conference championship and, for the first time, a place in the NCAA Division II postseason tournament. <br /><br />A key player on the 1987 team was Nicollet, Minn., native, <b>Darryl Wills</b>. A two-year starter at free safety for the Mavericks from 1986-87, Wills was second on the team in tackles as a senior with 107 and recorded seven career interceptions over the course of his college career.<br /><br />A two-time All-NCC pick, Wills was named All-American by the Football Gazette as a senior and in 2013, he was inducted into the Minnesota State Athletics Hall of Fame.<br /><br />MavBlog recently checked in with Wills, who lives with his family in Chaska, Minn.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b> Tell me a little about yourself<br /><b><br />Darryl Wills:</b> I’ve been married for 27 years to LizAnn (MSU grad) and we have two childern - Madyson 23 (MSU grad), Dawson 20 – attending Washburn University, where he’s a junior with the men’s golf program. I work for Optum, serving the last 15 years in my current role of SVP Payer Sales.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog:</b> What was the adjustment like, playing high school football in Nicollet, a small farming town, to the North Central Conference, where you and your teammates were going up against the likes of North Dakota State, North Dakota, South Dakota and South Dakota State every weekend? <br /><br /><b>DW</b>: Players, as you can imagine, were bigger/faster/stronger and overall, much more skilled. We did have some very good multi-sports athletes like myself from high school, Many of my high school teammates went on to play college sports. A pretty quick adjustment had to be made if you wanted any playing time.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog:</b> Why did you choose to come play football at MSU and how has your time at MSU impacted where you are today? <br /><br /><b>DW:</b> I was looking at the University of Minnesota for football, Winona State for basketball, a few other North Central Conference teams also had a slight interest. During the summer/fall of 1983 my dad became very sick and it was determined he had cancer (he is still with us today), so I decided to stay close to home. The number of friendships I still have today are because of MSU which has resulted in doing trips, extending business relationships and lifelong friendships that keep you motivated.<p></p><p><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>What was it like winning that first conference championship in 1987? <br /><b><br />DW</b>: Incredible – we had a very good recruiting class and many of the guys from that year stuck around. It was even more special because it was the first team to accomplish it. Demonstrated that when you put your mind to it and get the team aligned much can be accomplished.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog: </b>Talk about your head coach Dan Runkle and maybe one thing you learned from him that you still use today. What kind of head coach was he and how did he get players behind him?<br /><br /><b>DW:</b> Coach Runk taught me how to do your prep work – study your competition – work on all the small things and get to know your teammates.. Coach Runk was a players coach – while he had many rules, he made sure we had a lot of fun along the way and got to know each player as an individual. I use all of those skills today in my sales leadership role in a fortune 6 company.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog:</b> Talk about Optum, how it got started and what you do there. <br /><br /><b>DW:</b> I am one of 130,000 employees and been with the company for 15 years and the company started in 1997 as Ingenix. Optum is part of UnitedHealth Group (320,000 employees) and started as a technology company selling technology/consulting to healthcare organization. I have always wanted to be in healthcare so my career journey has included selling computer hardware & services, disposable medical products to long term care, home care and hospitals. So Optum is culmination of my previous roles where I get to utilize all of my previous experiences and I always wanted to make a bigger impact on peoples lives and healthcare is one great way to do that.</p><p><b>MavBlog: </b> Explain your relationship with former teammate and long-time friend Greg Vonderlippe.<br /><br /><b>DW:</b> Greg and I have always stayed in touch and been good friends and assisted him in getting into the company about 10 years ago and we still work together today as Greg is part of my sales leadership team. Makes the daily grind much more enjoyable and we get to make the healthcare system work better for everyone together which is pretty cool.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog:</b> Did you want to stay local in southern Minnesota? If so, why was that important to you? <br /><br /><b>DW:</b> I live in the Twin Cities/Chaska – I prefer bigger cities and I travel the world. On average I fly about 130,000 miles a year primarily in the United States. I did lead sales for our Life Sciences business for about two years which included a lot of international travel. I will always have a home in Minnesota but looking to move to warmer climate during the winter season.<br /><b><br />MavBlog:</b> You’re an inductee into the Minnesota State Athletics Hall of Fame. What was that experience like? <br /><br /><b> DW:</b> Humbling. To be recognized by Minnesota State as a team and as an individual – so Hall of Fame twice is off the charts remarkable. Motivates me to take the message of Minnesota State to all of my colleagues and friends. I had my family (LizAnn, Madyson, Dawson), Mom/Dad, my high school principal in attendance when I was inducted, so it was very rewarding and something we could all enjoy together.<br /><br /><b>MavBlog</b>: Have you been back to Blakeslee Stadium in the last couple of years and how much pride do you take in the success the program is currently experiencing? <br /><br /><b>DW:</b> Yes, I have been back to Blakeslee and I go to a few games each year and have traveled to watch the Mavericks play in the national championship games along with a few of my teammates. Blakeslee grass is among the best in the country and while the stadium is showing its age – when the ball is “Teed Up” for kickoff the chills still go through the body. The level of talent MSU attracts now I do believe is in place to what we started back in 1987 and many of the teams following have continued that success and taken into higher levels. <br /><i><br /> Contributed by Brevin Kaiser, Minnesota State Athletic Communications intern.<br /><br /> </i><br /><br /><br /></p>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-40944443145832794092020-10-14T12:56:00.002-07:002020-10-14T13:11:34.118-07:00Where Are They Now? Lisa (Walters) Sukalski<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ntu8lJn0Kk/X4dWjy7uayI/AAAAAAAABrs/6cvavKZX2RoyJGUclbQntNZU61G9tkgLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1354/lisa%2Bwalters%2Bwbb%2Bcopy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ntu8lJn0Kk/X4dWjy7uayI/AAAAAAAABrs/6cvavKZX2RoyJGUclbQntNZU61G9tkgLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w213-h320/lisa%2Bwalters%2Bwbb%2Bcopy.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski was a <br />two-time All-American during<br />women's basketball career at<br />Minnesota State</b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Former Maverick women’s basketball great and member of the Minnesota
State University Hall of Fame, <b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski</b> is doing quite well, thank you.<p></p><p>The Henderson, Minn., native received a plethora of accolades during her time with the Mavericks, which spanned 1984-99. A
two-time Kodak All-American who was named GTE/CoSIDA Academic
All-American of the Year in 1988, Sukalski was named the North Central Conference's Stan
Marshall Award recipient as league's outstanding female student-athlete
for 1987-88 and MSU's Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 1987-88. </p><p>A three-time All-Region selection, Sukalski still owns several school records
including most career points (2,072) and rebounds (1,074) and at the end of her time with the Mavericks.
Sukalski owned the NCC records for career points, rebounds, and
field goals.</p><p> Significantly, Sukalski was the keystone on the 1985-86 team where as a sophomore center, she helped lead the Mavericks to its first-ever North Central Conference championship and first-ever NCAA tournament appearance.<br /></p><p>After graduating from
Minnesota State, she ended up playing professionally in Sweden for one
year in 1988-89 before starting a teaching career that has lasted more than three decades.<br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MavBlog: </b>What are you doing now?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>I am currently in my 30th year of teaching second grade in the St. Michael-Albertville School District. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MavBlog: </b>Tell us about your family. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>I
am married and have three adult children, all graduates of St.
Michael-Albertville. My youngest is still attending college. The other
two are college graduates and live in the Twin Cities area.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MavBlog: </b>How has Minnesota State affected your career after college? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>My
degree from Minnesota State (it was Mankato State when I was there) was Elementary Education with a
Coaching certification. Mankato State prepared me for my first teaching
job right out of college. My time playing college basketball propelled me into getting the job as the head girls basketball coach at
St. Michael-Albertville High School. The dedication and hard work ethic I
learned through being a college student and a college athlete at the
same time as well as the lessons I learned through sports, has carried
over into helping me be a successful teacher and coach. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MavBlog: </b>What kind of impact did Mary Willerscheidt have on you during your time at Minnesota State? </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>Mary was my coach my freshman year. She believed in me and pushed me to
become a better player. This had an impact on my belief in myself and
my desire to become the best player I could be. My growth in confidence
and in setting my goals high carried over into my remaining years. Even
when she stepped down as the coach, she remained a huge supporter. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MavBlog: </b>What is your best memory from the Minnesota State women’s basketball team? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>My
best memory was the 1985-86 season. We had a very successful season and
became the North Central Conference Champs. But more than that, I got a
chance to play with some of the best players that have ever played
together at Minnesota State including Pat Burns, Annie
Christopherson, Carla Schuck, and Julie Cink. It was an honor to play
with such talented teammates and a whole lot of fun! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MavBlog: </b>What do you remember from your time playing professionally in Sweden in 1988-89? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>Playing
professionally was a great experience. The style of play was different
from the women’s college game at that time, but it was fun to adjust to a
new style of play. My teammates were very welcoming as was the family I
lived with. I also had an opportunity to coach a youth team. Living in
the city of Stockholm was a great experience for me as well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MavBlog: </b>Are you still involved with or still have connections with the Minnesota
State women’s basketball team? If so, in what ways? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>I don’t
have a lot of involvement in the women’s basketball program anymore. My
first decade out of college I stayed connected and in touch, attending
alumni events and keeping up with the team. As time went by, my
basketball involvement shifted to the high school basketball program at
St. Michael-Albertville. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MavBlog: </b>Are you still involved with the game of basketball?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>After
being a head coach for 10 years, coaching my own kids in youth and
traveling basketball and then watching them play basketball through
middle school and high and high school, I am now what you would call a
basketball fan and enjoy attending both boys’ and girls’ basketball
games. Up until my youngest child graduated in 2019, I had been involved
in basketball as a player, coach, or parent since I was in 7th grade. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MavBlog: </b>What has the game of basketball meant to you in your life? Did it shape you in any way? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>The
game of basketball has been a huge part of my life. Through basketball,
I learned the importance of hard work, dedication, and teamwork and
these things carried over into my teaching, parenting, and just being
the person I am today. </div><p> </p><div style="text-align: left;">MavBlog: Have you kept in touch with any of your former teammates from Minnesota State? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Lisa (Walters) Sukalski: </b>Yes. I keep in touch with several former teammates and we are able to get together at least once a year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed by Hogan Greenwood, Athletic Communications intern </i></span><br /></div>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-60721443097926148822020-02-26T08:22:00.001-08:002020-02-26T08:23:47.708-08:00Q&A With Minnesota State Baseball All-American Cam Klein<br />
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All-American Cam Klein</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A junior
pitcher/outfielder with the Minnesota State baseball team, versatile<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Cam Klein </b>earned All-America honors
last year after<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">posting
a 10-2 record while recording a 2.47 earned run average with 112 strikeouts in 80
innings pitched. The Stacy, Minn., native, who also patrols the outfield, hit a
team-high .386 with six home runs and 36 runs batted in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Minnesota State went 39-15 last year and 28-8 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular-season standings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of the most successful NCAA Division II programs in the
country, the Mavericks made their 37<sup>th</sup> postseason tournament
appearance last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Klein took a
moment to discuss the upcoming season with MavBlog correspondent <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mason Tonsager</b>.</span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">MavBlog:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> “What kinds of things that the
team is looking to improve on for this season?” </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">CK: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“The
pitching staff has all came back from last season along with some freshmen. We
also have new transfers that have come here to play and the overall starters
from last year are back. The pitching will be solid, but we just have to work
in some of the new players into this culture that we have.”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">MavBlog:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> “How has the adjustment been like
when working with a new catcher?”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">CK: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“It’s
difficult at times because Tom (Imholte) and I had a really great connection
with each other and were both on the same page on certain situation that we get
into. I have to develop that same kind of communication with the new catchers
and the freshman have to get games in as well, so they know what it is going to
feel like.”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">MavBlog:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> “What are some challenges that you
face coming into the season?”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">CK: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“I
have high expectations and I am surrounded with tons of talent that we have
ever since I got her 2 years ago. The team itself has high expectations
especially when a lot of returning players are back and healthy.”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">MavBlog:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> “What are you looking at on
improving this year?”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">CK: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“We
plan on winning conference and conference tournament which can help us with regionals.
Expectations for the team are to make it further and getting over that hump
last season and have a better record.”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">MavBlog:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> “What are some fun memories that
you’ve had so far in your career here at Minnesota?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CK: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>“The Florida trip is
always fun especially this time of the year where it is really cold here and
hot down there. We also have a fun time playing against some good competition.
I also had fun last year because we didn’t make it to regionals my freshman
year.” </span></div>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-83371971139968463022019-12-30T11:58:00.000-08:002020-01-27T10:18:49.094-08:00Bigger Than Basketball<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3jB8XC-EWg/XgpVJRQcZuI/AAAAAAAABkg/HWlGF3YepG0tr6VS-cxCfZ0hgyDwlhZLwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Cam4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p3jB8XC-EWg/XgpVJRQcZuI/AAAAAAAABkg/HWlGF3YepG0tr6VS-cxCfZ0hgyDwlhZLwCEwYBhgL/s320/Cam4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Minnesota State men's basketball guard <br />
<b>Cam Hodges</b> is a player development coach with the NBA's <br />
Philadelphia 76ers (76ers photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b>Cam Hodges</b>, a
Minneapolis native, spent the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons with the Minnesota
State men’s basketball team where he averaged 6.5
points and 3.9 rebounds as a junior and 13.7 points and 4.8 rebounds as a
senior. His junior season almost didn’t happen because of a military commitment.
He has since been honorably discharged from the military.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Under the guidance of veteran head coach <b>Matt Margenthaler</b>, Hodges and the Mavericks
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{page:WordSect</style>finished the 2010-11 season with a 28-5 record. Named the
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Hodges enjoyed a stellar senior season, earning Second-Team All-NSIC honors. The 6-foot-5 guard helped lead Minnesota State on a memorable run through the NCAA tournament which led all the way to the NCAA DII Final Four in Springfield, Mass. The Mavericks eventually fell to second-ranked Bellarmine in the national semifinals, but Hodges was playing his best basketball, tallying a career-high 24 points and grabbing seven rebounds in the loss to the Knights.</div>
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Following his
collegiate career, Hodges played professionally in Romania, Hungary, Luxembourg
and Slovenia.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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Stemming from an
internship with the National Basketball Association's G League that he competed in 2015, Hodges knew that he wanted to coach in some capacity.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“I knew I wanted to
coach once I was done playing, I just wasn't sure at what level,” Hodges said.
“I kind of found my path once I did an internship in the NBA G League and the
rest is history,” he said. </div>
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And he did just
that, becoming an assistant coach under one of the NBA’s legendary coaching minds, <b>Gregg Popovich</b>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Hodges spent three
seasons with Popovich and the Spurs, serving as a player development
assistant during the 2018-19 season, where he worked under shooting coach <b>Chip
Engelland</b>, who took over as San Antonio’s head of player development after
<b>Brett Brown</b> left to take the head coaching job with the Philadelphia 76ers. </div>
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<br /></div>
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After three seasons
with the Spurs, Hodges was hired as a player development coach with the Sixers,
where he currently works individually with three players. </div>
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<br /></div>
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“Day-to-day, I'm in
charge of the development of three players on our roster. It's usually some on-court
development work followed by some individual film sessions with those players
to identify areas we are excelling in and areas we can improve in,” Hodges
said. </div>
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.</div>
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Hodges gives a lot
of credit to Margenthaler and the rest of the Minnesota State coaching staff
for putting him in the position he is in today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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“The impact that the
coaching staff at Minnesota State had on me was huge,” Hodges said. “I realized that
coaching wasn't about the X's and O's. At the core of it, it's all about
relationships. They brought out the best in me on the court and helped me
develop into a better man off the court because of the time and energy they
invested in me as a human being before a ball player. So naturally I wanted to
have a career that would allow me to serve others,” he said.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Another trait that
Hodges carries over from MSU to his career is accountability.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“I think the biggest
lesson I learned from my time at MSU was being able to hold myself accountable
day in and day out,” Hodges said. “If for one second Coach thinks you're
slacking, you will be called out in front of the group. Being able to hold
yourself accountable every day and perform your job the best you can was the
mindset and that has carried over into my coaching career and my personal life,”
he said.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When asked what his
favorite part of his career is, Hodges gave a simple but incredibly important
answer that he learned from his time with the Mavericks.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“The relationships,”
Hodges said. “Investing my energy into another person to help
them get to where they are trying to go in life and their career. In sports, we
are all trying to accomplish something greater than ourselves and being able to
play my role in doing so I find very fulfilling,” Hodges said. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Looking into what
the future may hold for him, Hodges isn’t concerned about it as he focuses on
his time with the Sixers. </div>
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<br /></div>
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“<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Honestly, I
really try not to think about the future too much,” Hodges said. “I try to
focus on learning and developing myself every day and life will come together
like it should,” he said. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Contributed by Collin Wilmes, Minnesota State Athletic Communications Inter<span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , sans-serif;">n</span> </i></span></div>
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-->Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-34124411042013714022019-12-04T08:57:00.001-08:002019-12-04T08:58:04.492-08:00Mission Possible: Mavericks Work to Overcome Injuries to Get Back on the Mat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0YP9mbQCPE/XefkGK9PFzI/AAAAAAAABjs/_RGEdDHhpYo5ei1CpdQGWB7TlyElgvAzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/blome_graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0YP9mbQCPE/XefkGK9PFzI/AAAAAAAABjs/_RGEdDHhpYo5ei1CpdQGWB7TlyElgvAzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/blome_graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At any second in the game an injury can occur, whether it’s in
practice or during one of the most important matches of your career.
It’s the moment you face adversity that will dictate the outcome of your
career, will you let it beat you or will you conquer it?<br />
<br />
For a pair of Minnesota State wrestlers in senior
<b>Matthew Blome </b>and sophomore <b>Trevor Turriff</b>, it's this type of adversity that would put them to the test in the past year.<br />
<br />
Blome, who wrestles at 197, dislocated his knee during practice on
October 6th, 2018, resulting in a full tear of his anterior collateral ligament, medial collateral ligament, posterior collateral ligament,
and a partial tear in both his lateral collateral ligament and meniscus.<br />
<br />
“You could say it was
catastrophic because he had a complete knee dislocation, it was
everything,” said <b>Jim Makovsky</b>, Minnesota State's veteran wrestling head coach. “He stayed really stoic amidst it all, though.” <br />
<br />
An All-American as a freshman in 2016-17 when he went 28-11 overall, Blome went 18-8 and became a two-time NCAA national tournament qualifier as a sophomore in 2017-18. The injury, which happened before the start of the 2018-19 campaign, ultimately took Blome out of the game for a
year, and it’s the recovery period that is so
essential to his healthy return.<br />
<br />
“A lot of my time overcoming adversity
was done with the team, having people to work with every day; especially
<b>Christian Goetz</b>, out athletic trainer that helped me through a lot of my
recovery who was there from the day it happened,” said Blome. “It was
nice to be able to be on the side of the mat with them instead of just
being up in the stands, I was still with the team.”<br />
<br />
“Matt is someone who has a lot of passion with a positive
outlook on things; but when its go time he gives everything he has, and
we are lucky to have him,” said Makovsky.<br />
<br />
"Being
away makes it that much better to be back on the mat, watching people do
the stuff you do is difficult; but when you get to go back out there
and do it with your teammates that’s probably one of the best feelings
ever,” said Blome, a native of Mount Horab, Wis. “If I were to have to do it alone, I don’t know how
it would go but with the team and the people we have in the room it
makes it that much easier.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcRtLjIPcsM/XefkRFF8YHI/AAAAAAAABjw/lwuWbNOo9ZYRe6nagMuXYfjfc7X85YouACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/turriff_graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LcRtLjIPcsM/XefkRFF8YHI/AAAAAAAABjw/lwuWbNOo9ZYRe6nagMuXYfjfc7X85YouACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/turriff_graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
For Turriff, who wrestles at 184, he season ended last year when he tore
his PCL and LCL in the semi-finals round of the 2018-19 NCAA DII Super
Regionals. These injuries ultimately led a lengthy rehabilitation process over the course the next six months.<br />
<br />
“I stayed
busy with the rehab and we have a great team; the athletic training team
as well as the wrestling team that constantly kept me on my toes to get
better,” said Turriff, who finished his freshman year with a 13-7 record.<br />
<br />
“Overcoming adversity was all about just
staying hungry and rearranging my goals, to now let’s get healthier
every day and reach a new goal in rehab.”<br />
<br />
“Trevor has had to
put a lot of extra work in," said assistant coach <b>Ty Eustice</b>. "He’s been doing a lot of things on his own
or meeting with the athletic trainer when he’s supposed to and putting in those
extra workouts. He's is very coachable
and upbeat every day. He’s not the kind of kid you got to get on to
bring energy and he’s always showing up ready to work and push himself.”<br />
<br />
"The love for the game is really what fuels the flame," said Turiff, a native of De Pere, Wis. "Knowing I’m a part of a team that I am very close with helps fuel my
motivation as well.”<br />
<br />
The Mavericks, who entered the 2019-20 season rated seventh in the national preseason poll, hope that with both Blome and Turriff healthy, that they can improve upon last year's 31st-place finish at the NCAA DII Championship.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>contributed by Schaelly Hildebrandt, Athletic Communications intern</i></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-30908390321235588692019-11-12T09:10:00.003-08:002020-01-27T10:19:43.307-08:00Drost Leads Mavericks into 2019-20<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AivZ0cJgxWs/Xcrm4F_XYqI/AAAAAAAABjQ/WCUYo9EixPsn03cMqTSH0tbBUNNV0DwwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/drost_sddh64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1600" height="206" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AivZ0cJgxWs/Xcrm4F_XYqI/AAAAAAAABjQ/WCUYo9EixPsn03cMqTSH0tbBUNNV0DwwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/drost_sddh64.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Taylor Drost averaged 13.4 ppg and was named All-NSIC<br />Second Team as a junior in 2018-19</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">The Minnesota State women’s basketball team opened the 2019-20 season with a 91-74 nonconference home victory on Nov. 6 vs. against UW- Eau Claire.<br /><br /><br />Emilee Thiesse, who is beginning her eighth season as head coach of the Mavericks, has been impressed with the energy and consistent effort the team has put in this year. “This season is looking bright and our goals are centered around the core values of this program.”<br /><br /><br />Thiesse expects to lean on the 13 returnees from last year’s roster and especially so on the leadership of senior forward Taylor Drost.<br /><br /><br />Drost, a Menominee Falls, Wis., native, had an outstanding junior season in 2018-19. Named All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Second Team, Drost led Minnesota State in scoring with 336 points last season, averaging 13.4 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game.<br /><br /><br />“Taylor’s growth over her career has been incredible. She is a tough match-up due to her ability to score in multitude of ways. She has become more aggressive at disrupting shots at the rim and making plays off the ball.” said Thiessse.<br /><br /><br />Drost, a three-year letterwinner who is a two-time NSIC All-Academic honoree, said that while the returnees will have to lead, it’s expected that the newcomers will also contribute. “We have four freshmen that came in this season and they have been picking things up quickly in practice. Even though we only lost two seniors last season, our junior class is very solid for how small our group of seniors is. Our core group of junior and senior are strong leaders of the team who are dominant players on the court.”<br /><br /><br />Thiesse agreed, stating that the young players on the roster have fit in nicely with the veterans. “The chemistry the team has on the court is second to none and it shows by how well they play together and how much fun they have.” <br /><br /><br />In addition to the nonconference contest vs. UW-Eau Claire, the Mavericks also squares-off in nonconference play vs. Northern Michigan (Nov. 14), Michigan Tech (Nov. 18), Bethany Lutheran (Nov. 25) and UW-Parkside (Nov. 30) prior to starting NSIC action Dec. 6 with a home game vs. Southwest Minnesota State. <br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"> <i>Contributed by Morgan Keim-Wolfe, Minnesota State Athletic Communications Intern</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-54733493375555179642019-10-29T09:51:00.001-07:002019-10-29T09:51:30.172-07:00Olson Hitting Her Stride<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eBTXELXsqI/Xbg8cd7aA4I/AAAAAAAABio/bUxb--0ZXYwIjnhjHARnFN4LbfLpRGB0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/olson_morgan_0928MB_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eBTXELXsqI/Xbg8cd7aA4I/AAAAAAAABio/bUxb--0ZXYwIjnhjHARnFN4LbfLpRGB0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/olson_morgan_0928MB_0241.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minnesota State senior <b>Morgan Olson </b>was earned<br />
All-America honors last year after racking up 468 kills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Minnesota State volleyball senior <b>Morgan Olson</b> has accomplished about as much as any Maverick has in program history. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She came to MSU as a freshman eager to get started. “It was a different atmosphere than going to different schools,” said Olson. “I was really excited to play with the girls and excited to play for Lori too.” Lori being now-fifth year Maverick head coach <b>Lori Rittenhouse-Wollmuth</b>. <br /><br />Olson came to the Mavericks having played at Annandale High School, along with two and half years of experience at the club level. “When she first started, she was pretty raw, pretty green to the game,” said Rittenhouse-Wollmuth. Olson agreed with her coach’s assessment. “I didn’t really know much about the knowledge and much about the game itself” she said. “Coming in I was really open to anything.” <br /><br />It was that mentality that changed everything for Olson. When Rittenhouse-Wollmuth approached her about a position change before her junior year, she was all for it. Olson played on the outside her first couple of years, but when Olson was moved to the right side, the Mavericks had struck gold. “It became real apparent that she could be an even greater player on the right side,” said Rittenhouse-Wollmuth. She cited not only her vertical, but also the quickness of it along with her arm swing. “She brings the thunder with her arm swing.” <br /><br />Olson proceeded to register 468 kills, averaging 4.33 a set in her junior season<b> </b>and the accolades rolled in AVCA All-America Third Team, NSIC All-NSIC First Team honors and CCA
All-Region Second Team.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Olson attributed her junior year success to higher confidence. “I didn’t let outside factors affect it” she said. “I just played for my teammates, forgot about all outside factors, and just went and tried to make my teammates better while making myself better at the same time.” <br /><br />This summer, Olson, along with teammate <b>Mara Quam</b>, were selected to take part in the USA D-2 Volleyball Brazil Tour. “I just went in there and played and it was really fun getting to know the girls and playing different teams,” said Olson of the experience. “The coaches there didn’t know me before, the players didn’t know me before so showing them who I was, was really exciting and fun.” Olson said her biggest takeaway from the experience was the importance of playing free. <br /><br />It was that takeaway that has allowed her to continue her success, including joining MSU’s 1,000-kill club, into her senior season. She admitted that having been an All-American last season was something that brought on a lot of pressure. “Once I start thinking ‘so what I did it last season, prove to them I should get it this season too’ or playing like I didn’t know I got it last season that kind of helped me play free and really focus on encouraging my teammates and cheering for them and doing it for my teammates rather than for myself.” <br /><br />Her selfless attitude has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff. “She’s a great role model,” said Rittenhouse-Wollmuth. “She’s a great listener. She’s someone that players know they can go to and she’ll give them an honest response, but one that’s supportive. She takes good care of her teammates.” <br /><br />Olson has accomplished many things in her career, but what will the biggest thing she’ll be remembered for? “I think never giving up, and always having a positive attitude because obviously there’s going to be hard times but knowing that I always came out with a smile,” said Olson. “She’ll walk out of here as one of the best Mavericks that ever played” said Rittenhouse-Wollmuth. “She will be missed, and her impact will last far longer than just her time here.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A three-time NSIC All-Academic honoree, Olson carries a 3.67 grade point average and is majoring in math education. She will graduate in the spring of 2021.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> <i> contributed by Minnesota State athletic communications intern Jason Backman</i></b></span></span>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-68551822867086215372019-10-17T10:33:00.004-07:002019-10-17T10:41:09.947-07:00That's the Goal<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Abbey Levy was named All-WCHA Second Team <br />as a freshman in 20018-19</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">Minnesota State goaltender <b>Abigail Levy </b>completed her first career collegiate start with a win and a shutout in last year's season opener, a 2-0 home win over Rensselaer</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> on September 29</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-fontsize="12" style="background-color: inherit; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">, 2018.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">The win was the first of five shutouts for Levy, which tied</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">school </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">record for most shutouts in a single season at Minnesota State. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">As well as being named to </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">All-WCHA
Second team and the All-WCHA Rookie Team, Levy also earned Co-Rookie of the year and Most Valuable Player for the Mavericks. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">To say </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">Levy</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">’s first collegiate year was anything shy of impressive would be an understatement. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">A native of the Big Apple, Levy emigrated to the Land of 10,000 Lakes where the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">hockey-focused environment at prep power Shattuck-St, Mary's helped to </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">develop</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> her game </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">under the tutelage </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">of goaltending coach <b>Des Christopher</b>, a former Minnesota netminder in his own right. Before beginning her collegiate career at Minnesota State, Levy helped backstop the Sabres to three national championships.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="EOP SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">Levy, who went 9-18-7 with a .924 save percentage and a 2.35 goals against average in 34 appearances last year, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">had
the second best goals-against average (on Minnesota State's single-season list), tied for second best save
percentage, tied for fifth most wins and had the seventh most saves in a
single season at Minnesota State. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">Following her outstanding debut in 2018-19, the Congers, N.Y., native</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> had the opportunity to travel back home in the summer of 2019 for two weeks in Lake Placid, participating in the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">2019 USA Hockey Women's National Festival. This opportunity, which </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">served as a training camp for the U.S.'s top-level players, was utilized to choose both U18 and U22 Select Teams which compete against Canada in the annual U18 and U22 Series.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> “This was an insane experience that I wish a
lot of others could experience as well,” said Levy</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">. “It's something that was a huge step in my athletic career</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">.”</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">Levy </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">hopes to continue to move forward from last year's season, building on the work she put in during the summer with the goal of</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> “being a leader for
the team and work on being someone who others can look up to even with
the upperclassman looking up to me</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">.”</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">More importantly, her goals for the team are key for a successful season, which </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">is</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> “coming together better as a family</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">.”</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> Given family </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">plays such an important role in Levy’s life. Whatever the distance may be, her parents w</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">ork to</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">
make it to over 85% of all-season games wherever they are playing.
Although being away from family has caused some homesickness to occur
over the years; it’s the continuous support she receives from them that
drives her motivation on and off the ice. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">Minnesota State head coach <b>John Harrington</b>, who is in his fifth year in charge of the Mavericks, describes Levy as someone who is </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">“happy go lucky” individual</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> both on and off the ice. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">"She is someone w</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">ho “doesn’t take things with her, she doesn’t let things build up on her, she </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">learns from things </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">but she doesn’t carry things on," said Harrington. "She’s good with the what’s next approach</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">.”</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">Which
are key attributes to have as a player who can than lead with these
skills to both mentor and grow the teammates she plays alongside."</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW36741979 BCX2" style="background-color: inherit;">Contributed by Schaelly Hildebrandt, Minnesota State Athletic Communications Intern </span></span></span></i><span class="EOP SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="EOP SCXW36741979 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="line-height: 20.5042px;"></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-19222913123337180232019-10-08T12:07:00.001-07:002020-01-27T10:20:29.654-08:00Something in the Water<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6xG0XJCjWc/XZzd83QBI-I/AAAAAAAABiA/WAnIu07s-AQbv2ki2NQ5gFORDP2Vul2gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Zylstra_Shane1_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6xG0XJCjWc/XZzd83QBI-I/AAAAAAAABiA/WAnIu07s-AQbv2ki2NQ5gFORDP2Vul2gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Zylstra_Shane1_edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Shane Zylstra holds the Minnesota State record for career<br />touchdown receptions</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Minnesota State
senior wide receiver <b>Shane Zylstra </b>has had a decorated career with the
Maverick football program. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Through <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">44 career
games</span>, the Spicer, Minn., native has reeled in 171 catches for <span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">3,154 yards receiving and 42
touchdowns</span>. Those 42 touchdowns are a school record. The previous record
for career receiving touchdowns at Minnesota State was 36, held by former Maverick
wide receiver <b>Josh Nelsen</b> (1991-94). The record is something Zylstra takes
great pride in. </div>
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“It means a lot,”
Zylstra said. “Just being able compete at a high level each and every day at
such a great institution, it’s just nice to be able to contribute to the team
and win games because that’s what I came here to do. To not only contribute but
to play at a high level,” he said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
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Named to the All-NSIC First Team and and AFCA Second
Team All-American last year, Zylstra totaled 66 catches for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior in 2018 in helping lead the Mavericks to the semifinals
of the NCAA Tournament.
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms2Pe4O89X8/XZzdSZL-0rI/AAAAAAAABh4/4L1l9BkAYwYRgmfBOgSxQuZtNf5QI9yAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/z_ski_IMG951421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms2Pe4O89X8/XZzdSZL-0rI/AAAAAAAABh4/4L1l9BkAYwYRgmfBOgSxQuZtNf5QI9yAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/z_ski_IMG951421.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Shane Zylstra (right) with <br />his older brother Brandon</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Zylstra’s football
success is obvious. But what isn’t known is that Zylstra was a competitive
water skier long before he became an elite college wide receiver. The 6-foot-5,
215-pound Zylstra grew up near a private lake called Green Lake in Spicer and attended
New London-Spicer High School. One of the family traditions was to water ski.</div>
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“Every weekend we
were out on that lake water skiing barefoot and just hanging out,” Zylstra said.
“My dad and grandpa used to ski a lot, so that’s who got us into that, and it
just built off from there,” he said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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He started water
skiing at age five and barefooting at age seven. Water skiing is one thing, but
barefooting is a whole different required skillset. It’s similar to traditional
water skiing, except you don’t use any water skis at all, just your feet, as
you perform jumps and tricks behind a boat. Unlike traditional water skiing,
barefooting requires faster boat speeds that reach up to 40 mph, which is
required for the athlete to plane on his bare feet. The barefoot events of wake
slalom, tricks and jumping are also similar to traditional water skiing. One
may wonder, how does this help with being an elite receiver? </div>
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<br /></div>
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“It definitely helps
with balance,” Zylstra said. “You constantly have to worry about balance when
you’re on the water. There’s a lot of times when you’re basically balancing on
one foot, so it’s just a huge part. And then on the mental side you have a
constant challenge of improving on new tricks and new styles,” he said. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Zylstra, along with
his three brothers <b>Justin Zylstra</b>, <b>Brandon Zylstra</b>, a wide receiver who plays for the
Carolina Panthers, and <b>Jaden Zylstra</b>, joined the Little Crow Ski Team of New
London, Minn.. He competed for ten years with the ski team, where he had weekly tournaments
in the summer all around the Midwest. </div>
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“Every Friday, you
host a show for public attendance, and then we traveled to different cities
around us for public shows for Water Days events and things like that. And then
we often traveled the Midwest doing competitions against other teams in the
Midwest,” Zylstra said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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From there, the
water ski teams and individuals compete in regional tournaments for a shot to
compete at the national level. </div>
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“Growing up we were
always really successful at regionals, so we always went to nationals and
competed at that next level,” he said. </div>
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Looking back at is
water skiing days, Zylstra isn’t shy about who the best in the family is. </div>
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“Best water skier in
the family, I have to give it to myself. Brandon’s great and all, but he’s even
said it too, in college at least, that I’m a little bit ahead of him. We all have
our own unique talents that make us all great, but I have to stick with myself,”
he said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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All four of the
Zylstra brothers, Justin, 27, Brandon, 26, Shane, 22, and Jaden, 16, found
success in water skiing at the national level. Brandon and Shane ultimately
chose football over water skiing, but Jaden plans to pursue water skiing in
college.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Water skiing is
probably my younger brother’s favorite sport. He’s working on pursuing it down
in the southern states,” Zylstra said. “You can go to college for it, and
that’s what he’s thinking about doing,” he said. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Fast-forward to
today, Zylstra and the Mavericks are 5-0 and hold a No. 3 overall national
ranking in the American Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll. He has one
goal in mind for this season, and it’s to win a NCAA Division II national championship. </div>
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<br /></div>
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“It’d be really nice
to finish that senior year with a National Championship,” Zylstra said. “It’s
one last go-around, and I think we have the talent to do it. It’s just a matter
of getting it done at the end of the day,” he said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i> contributed by Collin Wilmes, Athletic Communications intern </i></span></div>
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-->Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-55059562713384712252019-10-03T09:31:00.001-07:002019-10-29T10:51:54.936-07:00Hockey Dads<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BT-ytlpxYdE/XZYip4wWdHI/AAAAAAAABhk/txAVNrzTP9kLM9wCTC-ybeNVOYC6AETlwCEwYBhgL/s1600/NHL_LINEAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BT-ytlpxYdE/XZYip4wWdHI/AAAAAAAABhk/txAVNrzTP9kLM9wCTC-ybeNVOYC6AETlwCEwYBhgL/s400/NHL_LINEAGE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The old saying goes “like father, like son.” <br /><br />In the case of a quintet of current Minnesota State men’s hockey players this certainly is the case.<br /><br />Connor Mackey, Dryden McKay, Riese Zmolek, Jaxson Stauber and Ryan Sandelin are unique in the fact that they all have had fathers who played in the National Hockey League.<br /><br />Connor Mackey, a junior defenseman for the Mavericks, is the son of Dave Mackey. The elder Mackey played in 126 National Hockey League games as a forward with Chicago, Minnesota and St. Louis.<br /><br />Dave coached Connor from a young age up until he was about 14 years old.<br /><br />“He has helped me a lot,” said Connor, noting his father’s impact on his game. “We talk through things still today after games and what he saw and his take on the game. He knows so much about the game with how he played at the highest level so it’s great to hear what he has to say.<br /><br />“What I have learned most from him, is playing the game the right way. Both ends of the ice and just to always work hard, even if you’re not having the best game you can always control how hard you work. Just staying with it.” Connor said.<br /><br />Dryden McKay is a sophomore netminder who enjoyed a stellar first year of college hockey and was named 2018-19 CHN National Rookie of the Year last year after logging a 24-7-2 record in 32 starts in 2018-19. He is the son of former Hartford Whalers goaltender Ross McKay.<br /><br />Dryden’s father was his goalie coach he had until he was 16 years old and today Ross helps Dryden with the mental side of his game more than the physical. The mental side of the game is a major part when being a goaltender.<br /><br />“My dad is very humble and quiet about the fact that he played in the NHL. Growing up he was a goalie coach at the junior level so the reason I became a goalie was to hang out with him. I saw playing goalie as a way to spend time with my dad and I think that’s ultimately what drew me to the position. As I got older I began to understand just how good my dad was when he played and that he knew so much about hockey and goaltending.” Said Dryden.<br /><br /> “He basically shaped me into the goalie I am today. He always had a huge focus on skating and positioning and I believe those two aspects of my game are the biggest reason I am where I am today. Now that I am older I still call him after every game and it’s always nice to talk to someone who understands everything I am going through, both good and bad.”<br /><br />Riese Zmolek, a junior defenseman whose father Doug was a rugged defenseman with San Jose, Dallas, Los Angeles and Chicago, had an opportunity to go the rink when his dad was still playing. Doug would take Riese to the ice when he was little and that is how he got introduced to hockey.<br /><br />“Just being around hockey and seeing it at such a young age impacted me a lot. I think it started growing my love for it right away” Riese said. Riese had his father as a coach every year growing up during youth hockey.When Riese went to high school Doug helped coach his hockey team as well.<br /><br />“I think he’s had a huge impact on me and my game. For the most part, once I got old enough he let me be and let me try to learn on my own unless I reached out to him for help on something with my game. He has taught me many things and without him helping and teaching me things there’s no way I’d be where I am today. He taught me how to play the game, and what he thought I needed to work on to keep playing past high school.”<br /><br />Jaxon Stauber is a freshman goaltender for the Mavericks and his father, Robb, had a lengthy professional career that saw him tend nets in the NHL with Los Angeles and Buffalo. Another freshman, forward Ryan Sandelin, is the son of Scott Sandelin, who saw action in the NHL with Philadelphia, Montreal and the Minnesota North Stars.<br /><br />Along with Connor Mackey, Dryden McKay and Riese Zmolek, three Maverick veterans, the two newcomers to the squad in Stauber and Sandelin, another adage comes to mind in that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.<br /><br /> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> - contributed by Morgan Keim-Wolfe, Minnesota State Athletic Communications intern.</i></span><br /></span></div>
Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-69402627566577228622019-09-25T07:49:00.003-07:002019-09-25T07:55:47.057-07:00A Football Legacy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKOiu5Sz8Ew/XYt9vwEFjMI/AAAAAAAABhQ/Au-KK-YlQ5gftVlqegcPfuzy15pDEtPjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Schlichte_Ryan2_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1448" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKOiu5Sz8Ew/XYt9vwEFjMI/AAAAAAAABhQ/Au-KK-YlQ5gftVlqegcPfuzy15pDEtPjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Schlichte_Ryan2_edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mankato native Ryan Schlichte has played a big role in <br />Minnesota State's success the past four years</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
legacy always has to start somewhere.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://msumavericks.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8700" target="_blank"><b>RyanSchlichte</b></a>, a senior quarterback on the third-rated Minnesota State football
team, came to the Mavericks with probably more knowledge about the program than
most of his teammates.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
three-year starter at Mankato West, Schlichte racked up over 2,000 yards
passing and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore and junior with the Scarlets. His
senior year of high school, in which he threw for 3,141 yards and 45 touchdowns,
he earned Minnesota High School Gatorade Player of the Year, Minnesota AP
Player of the Year, Big 9 Player of the Year and USA Today Minnesota Player of
the Year honors.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
connection with the local NCAA DII football program came with Ryan’s father, Dave,
a defensive back and quarterback for the Mavericks in the early 1980s. Dave, a
native of Wilmont, Minn., native who prepped at Worthington High School, served
as offensive coordinator under Minnesota State head coach Dan Runkle following
his college playing career.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“From
as long as I can remember, our family went to the games at The Blake. It seemed
like every Saturday the Mavericks had a home game and in the back of my mind it
wasn’t me watching the Gophers, but it was me watching the Mavericks play. That
kind of transitioned as to what I was playing when I was younger and into high
school. My dad was a coach and always had great insight. I didn’t always listen
to it first, but I’ve come to appreciate his knowledge of the game and for what
he’s done for me as a player and for a young man as well,” Schlichte said.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“As
a young man he definitely helped me mature and to treat everyone that I would
like to be treated,” said Schlichte. “My dad treated everyone with respect and
treated everyone the same. That’s how I’ve always kept that open mind and try
to get to know as many guys as I can. I try to find something about someone on
the team if I don’t know everyone on the team. I’ve always tried to be a leader
and pick people back up when they are down.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Following
a redshirt year on 2015, Schlichte saw action in seven games as a freshman in
2016 prior to assuming the starting role for the Mavericks as a sophomore, helping
guide the team to a 13-1 record as they claimed an NSIC Championship and
advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Sharing starting duties
with J.D. Ekowa in 2018, Minnesota State again posted a 13-1 record.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Dave
Schlichte feels Ryan’s exposure to the Mavericks and the college football culture
likely has played a role in Ryan’s success at Minnesota State. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“Being
a part of a team was one of the best moments I had at college and I thought it
was something that would be good for him to be exposed to,” said Dave. “I think
the ups and downs we had when we played made our group closer and that’s what
being a part of team is all about.” </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> In
playing for his college coaches, Dave learned that there’s more than one way to
get things done in understanding Al Sandona and Dan Runkle very different
coaches and how they not only wanted their teams to play, but also how they
worked with their players. “Sandona was more defensive than an offensive style
and Runkle was more offensive than defensive,” said the senior Schlichte. “It was an adjustment switching everything around
between the two coaches, but we were able to overcome all of the years that we
were struggling to winning the conference championship within a five-year span.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">On
becoming a college coach right out of college, Dave felt that it was something
he was ready for, even if it was a young age. “Runk’s staff was allowed to voice
your thoughts and opinions on what to do. Sometimes as a team we were trying to
figure out a way to be competitive. The hardest thing about changing from a
player to coach was that it wasn’t about you anymore it was about the players
and what their future holds. It also was about their families and what was best
for them. Sometimes the mindset changes completely and it can’t be about you."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
football family, which besides Ryan and Dave includes Ryan’s mother Jody and
brother, Jay, who was a tight end at Minnesota Duluth, you know where you’ll be
able to find the Schlichte’s in the fall.
Most likely they’ll be at a football game.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i> - contributed by Mason Tonsager, Minnesota State Athletic Communications intern </i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><style><font size="3">
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<br />
<br />Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-1705149042630404892019-05-28T09:28:00.002-07:002019-05-28T09:39:37.528-07:00Evan's Great Adventure<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOmVz_FTTmc/XO1gChdHuKI/AAAAAAAABfU/VpkXkw42Eysyp8bkdR9vjVBmqWp_xLXhwCLcBGAs/s1600/mosey_great_britain-tSkPR6W.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOmVz_FTTmc/XO1gChdHuKI/AAAAAAAABfU/VpkXkw42Eysyp8bkdR9vjVBmqWp_xLXhwCLcBGAs/s320/mosey_great_britain-tSkPR6W.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Former Minnesota State defenseman <b>Evan Mosey</b> played for<br />Great Britain at the 2019 IIHF World Championship</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Given the fact that the last time <a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/49400/evan-mosey">Evan Mosey</a>
suited up for the Minnesota State men's hockey team was at the end of
the 2012-13 season, it really wasn't all that long ago that the Downers
Grove, Ill., native was sporting a Maverick sweater.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Since
then, however, Mosey has been on a journey that has seen him wearing
the colors of HYC Herentals in Belgium, the Nottingham Panthers in the
Elite Ice Hockey League, the Rockford Ice Hogs in the American Hockey
League, the Indy Fuel in the ECHL, the Herning Blue Fox in Denmark and
the Cardiff Devils in the EIHL.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">"After graduating at
Minnesota State I knew I wanted to go play hockey somewhere. I wanted to go to Europe and see
new places and experience other cultures while being able to play
hockey. I played my first year in Belgium for HYC Herentals. I had the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey. Being
able to travel see new places meet new people and of course Belgium has
great beer, chocolate, and waffles. <br />
<br />
I wanted to go play in England because I had my UK
passport (his father, Graham, was born in
England). You have to play two years in the
EIHL which is the league in the UK to be eligible for the national team. I played two
years for the Nottingham Panthers, then was able to play my first world
championships in Zagreb. I was able
to play for the Rockford IceHogs which is the Chicago Blackhawks
affiliate for a season which was a great experience. Then went back to
the UK, then to Denmark and now I play in Wales for the Cardiff Devils."</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Mosey,
who played 108 games for Minnesota State during his four years with the
Mavericks (2009-13), reached his goal of playing for Great Britain's
national team, first in 2015-16 at the IIHF World D1B tournament. Then,
by virture of its performance at the World D1A qualifying tournament in
2018, Great Britain qualified for the 2019 IIHF World Championship for
the first time since 1994. And at the tournament, which was held in
Slovakia May 10-26, the Brits placed 13th in earning a spot in next
year's world championship with Mosey along for the ride.</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">"I
would have to say it was
the craziest experience in hockey I have ever had," said Mosey, who
played in all seven games at the tournament. "It doesn’t hit you until you get there see the arena which is world class and walk around
Kosice and see all the hockey fans. It’s insane you see groups of fans
everywhere all repping different countries. Then walking around the rink
you start to bump into all the NHL players
that are there. It’s hard not to get a little star struck when you walk
by <b>Patrick Kane</b>. It’s also hilarious cause half the guys on the team are
joking around about playing against guys they had on their fantasy
teams this year. <br />
<br />
It’s a really hard tournament though. You are there to get a job done
and it’s not going to be easy. We were pretty realistic that we weren’t
going to beat a lot of the teams there. But we wanted to at least
compete and work on our systems. We basically knew the Denmark game and
France game were are two best options to stay up (in the top group). So being able to get
that win against France was huge. Coming back from being 3-0 down just
shows the work ethic and character this team has. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It hasn’t really sunk in
what we did as a team and what we did for this nation to promote the
sport. But I’m super proud to be apart of this team. To be able to go
back to back gold medals to get promotion to the top group and then cap
that off with a win against France to stay is crazy. Never would I have
thought that something like that could even be possible cause it’s never
been done before."<br />
<br />"It great we stayed up, but everyone knows we aren’t done we obviously
have next year to prepare for and it’s going to be extremely hard again
to do the same thing. So for me I’m extremely happy to have played a
role with team GB this year." </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Having
signed for another year in Cardiff, Mosey will continue his European
adventure next year, along with another opportunity to represent the
Union Jack at the World Championship, this time in Swtizerland at the
2020 IIHF World Championship.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-8673524674645696162019-04-08T08:35:00.000-07:002020-01-27T10:28:12.024-08:00To the Max<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0l-B4h9VmI/Xi8rCcwUe4I/AAAAAAAABlI/SlBQMB7-kB84U-1OQKqwIi7An3L7_t-YQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/coatta_12.15.18%2Bvs%2BMSU-6302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0l-B4h9VmI/Xi8rCcwUe4I/AAAAAAAABlI/SlBQMB7-kB84U-1OQKqwIi7An3L7_t-YQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/coatta_12.15.18%2Bvs%2BMSU-6302.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Max Coatta is a two-time team captain for Minnesota State</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 135.855px; transform: scalex(0.913129);">Given the fact that his grandfather served as head coach of the football team there and that his </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 155.766px; transform: scalex(0.914048);">father is in one of the high school’s athletic Hall of Fame there, it must seem inevitable that <b>Max </b></span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 175.65px; transform: scalex(0.913262);"><b>Coatta </b>would end up in Mankato playing </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 364.105px; top: 175.65px; transform: scalex(0.90966);">college hockey for the Minnesota State </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 195.196px; transform: scalex(0.905205);">Mavericks.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 174.301px; top: 195.196px; transform: scalex(0.881044);"> Right?</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 234.626px; transform: scalex(0.900423);"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 234.626px; transform: scalex(0.900423);"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 234.626px; transform: scalex(0.900423);">“When I was younger the goal was just to play college hockey,” said Coatta. “I was always a fan </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 254.55px; transform: scalex(0.906108);">of the WCHA growing up and as things went along, once I started hearing from Minnesota State, </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 274.434px; transform: scalex(0.986714);">with th</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 143.297px; top: 274.434px; transform: scalex(0.915351);">e coaching staff, where the program appeared to be headed with the possibility of being </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 293.98px; transform: scalex(0.915924);">on a team that could compete for championships every year, the school itself, it all was pretty </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 313.864px; transform: scalex(0.92524);">attractive and some something that I wanted to be a part of.”</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 353.281px; transform: scalex(0.86597);"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 353.281px; transform: scalex(0.86597);">So far, s</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 148.689px; top: 353.281px; transform: scalex(0.899127);">o good. </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 392.751px; transform: scalex(0.907743);"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 392.751px; transform: scalex(0.907743);">Following a standout high school career at Minnetonka (Minn.) where he had 89 goals and 190 </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 412.635px; transform: scalex(0.911892);">points in four seasons with the Skippers and junior hockey stops with Penticton of the British </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 432.181px; transform: scalex(0.899212);">Columbia Hockey League and Waterloo of the United States H</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 500.325px; top: 432.181px; transform: scalex(0.874903);">ockey League, Coatta has made his </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 452.065px; transform: scalex(0.901071);">mark in his four seasons at Minnesota State.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 392.455px; top: 452.065px; transform: scalex(0.916042);"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 392.455px; top: 452.065px; transform: scalex(0.916042);">With a penchant for durability, special teams play </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 471.639px; transform: scalex(0.896641);">and a knack for scoring goals in bunches (he has a pair of hat tricks during the course of his </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 491.522px; transform: scalex(0.892028);">college career), Coatta is a t</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 277.804px; top: 491.522px; transform: scalex(0.970114);">wo</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 297.7144607843137px; top: 491.5220588235294px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 302.433px; top: 491.522px; transform: scalex(0.890614);">time WCHA All</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 397.84681372549016px; top: 491.5220588235294px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 402.902px; top: 491.522px; transform: scalex(0.903935);">Academic selection and a two</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 596.3995098039215px; top: 491.5220588235294px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 601.118px; top: 491.522px; transform: scalex(0.889342);">time WCHA </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 511.406px; transform: scalex(0.876413);">Scholar</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 145.3186274509804px; top: 511.4056372549019px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 150.374px; top: 511.406px; transform: scalex(0.938429);">Athlete.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 209.054px; top: 511.406px; transform: scalex(0.906027);"> He was named to the W</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 365.453px; top: 511.406px; transform: scalex(0.843376);">CHA All</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 413.3492647058823px; top: 511.4056372549019px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 418.067px; top: 511.406px; transform: scalex(0.894608);">Rookie Team in 2015</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 553.9362745098039px; top: 511.4056372549019px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 559.005px; top: 511.406px; transform: scalex(0.900512);">16</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 578.889px; top: 511.406px; transform: scalex(0.901187);"> and has twice been </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 530.952px; transform: scalex(0.914903);">named Minnesota State’s Hardest Worker.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 382.344px; top: 530.952px; transform: scalex(0.915102);"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 382.344px; top: 530.952px; transform: scalex(0.915102);">The reliable two</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 486.84436274509795px; top: 530.9522058823528px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 491.9px; top: 530.952px; transform: scalex(0.891304);">way forward is in his second season </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 550.836px; transform: scalex(0.894018);">as a team captain</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 211.413px; top: 550.836px; transform: scalex(0.91097);">, but in reality has been working as a team leader from the get</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 615.6090686274509px; top: 550.8357843137254px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 620.664px; top: 550.836px; transform: scalex(0.881061);">go.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 590.306px; transform: scalex(0.918356);"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 590.306px; transform: scalex(0.918356);">“I try to bring positive energy with every shift,” said Coatta. “I think skating is one of my stronger </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 610.19px; transform: scalex(0.903023);">points and I think I have a good shot, I can play a role on the penalty kill and chi</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 611.565px; top: 610.19px; transform: scalex(0.917713);">p in offensively, </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 629.737px; transform: scalex(0.921714);">as well, and it’s important to set the table, actions</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 422.1115196078431px; top: 629.736519607843px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 426.83px; top: 629.737px; transform: scalex(0.917053);">wise, for the younger guys on the team.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 669.167px; transform: scalex(0.913198);">With a pair of MacNaughton Cups under his belt in his first three years with the program, Coatta </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 689.077px; transform: scalex(0.908045);">is looking for a third this year and head co</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 369.161px; top: 689.077px; transform: scalex(0.912309);">ach Mike Hastings feels that the contributions being </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 708.961px; transform: scalex(0.921117);">made by his veteran front</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 265.3345588235294px; top: 708.9607843137254px;">-</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 270.053px; top: 708.961px; transform: scalex(0.911028);">line player over the course of his career should not </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 604.151px; top: 708.961px; transform: scalex(0.913678);">be overlooked or </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 728.507px; transform: scalex(0.922093);">undervalued.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 767.951px; transform: scalex(0.914589);"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 767.951px; transform: scalex(0.914589);">“He’s been an example for others from the time he joined our program as a freshman,” said </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 787.821px; transform: scalex(0.837933);">Has</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 121.357px; top: 787.821px; transform: scalex(0.905117);">tings, who is in his seventh year in charge of the Mavericks. “As Max has continued to mature </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 807.745px; transform: scalex(0.893181);">as a player and as a person, he’s continued to exude leadership skills in all areas. He is mentored </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 827.292px; transform: scalex(0.897231);">classmates and teammates and he’s one of those guys that takes</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 522.23px; top: 827.292px; transform: scalex(0.910796);"> care of the group...everybody. </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 847.175px; transform: scalex(0.885386);">I respect him as a player, as a leader and as a young man.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 476.734px; top: 847.175px; transform: scalex(0.903533);">There is no doubt the he’s helped us </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 866.722px; transform: scalex(0.914602);">get to where we are as a program.”</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 906.516px; transform: scalex(0.896002);"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 906.516px; transform: scalex(0.896002);">Coatta’s older brother, Sam, won a NCAA Division I men’s hockey national championship as a </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.176470588235293px; left: 97.09252450980392px; top: 926.0692401960783px;">m</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 109.899px; top: 926.069px; transform: scalex(0.919591);">ember of the Union Dutchmen in 2014 and maybe this is the year that the younger brother will </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 945.953px; transform: scalex(0.933951);">have an opportunity to emulate that feat.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 120.016px; transform: scalex(0.904021);"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 120.016px; transform: scalex(0.904021);">“There’s going to be ups and downs every year,” said Coatta.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 499.314px; top: 120.016px; transform: scalex(0.927599);">“We came out of the gates pretty </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 139.9px; transform: scalex(0.927579);">fast</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 125.098px; top: 139.9px; transform: scalex(0.906663);">this year</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 180.705px; top: 139.9px; transform: scalex(0.871698);">, but as a </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 242.755px; top: 139.9px; transform: scalex(0.920079);">team we’ve been confident, knowing that we can compete for a </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 159.473px; transform: scalex(0.914239);">championship.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 199.914px; top: 159.473px; transform: scalex(0.900457);">I think we’re especially close this year </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 447.05px; top: 159.473px; transform: scalex(0.880773);">as a group and </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 546.185px; top: 159.473px; transform: scalex(0.913474);">we have good depth with a </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 179.357px; transform: scalex(0.902422);">lot of game changers. We’ve put ourselves in a good spot as we get near t</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 576.516px; top: 179.357px; transform: scalex(0.915514);">he end of the regular </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 199.24px; transform: scalex(0.847487);">sea</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 118.998px; top: 199.24px; transform: scalex(0.890236);">son.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 153.744px; top: 199.24px; transform: scalex(0.898991);">Obviously w</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 231.971px; top: 199.24px; transform: scalex(0.927502);">e’re hoping to finish on top of the con</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 478.082px; top: 199.24px; transform: scalex(0.904164);">ference standings</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 597.087px; top: 199.24px; transform: scalex(0.924607);">and then it’s </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 218.787px; transform: scalex(0.9135);">moving on to the league playoffs. We’ve had some good teams during my time here, but haven’t </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 238.67px; transform: scalex(0.91781);">been able to win one of </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 254.887px; top: 238.67px; transform: scalex(0.904386);">a WCHA playoff title </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 389.759px; top: 238.67px; transform: scalex(0.923115);">during my time here, so that w</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 589.996px; top: 238.67px; transform: scalex(0.898046);">ould be a big </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16.1765px; left: 97.0925px; top: 258.594px; transform: scalex(0.918641);">stepping stone for us. And then after that we’ll see how things go.”</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.8284px; left: 301.759px; top: 293.98px; transform: scalex(0.88189);"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.8284px; left: 301.759px; top: 293.98px; transform: scalex(0.88189);">Contributed by Paul Allan, Minnesota State Assoc. Director of Athletics</span><br />
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Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-526902493844708012018-11-07T13:35:00.001-08:002019-04-08T08:36:46.578-07:00Bandwidth | Q & A With Michael Thursby, Minnesota State's Director of Athletic Bands & Percussion<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vE0XNXVyFyM/W-NZaEICF4I/AAAAAAAABdE/mLxDxd9zSmk3ymkL5-BcqaS5tZkhpctvgCLcBGAs/s1600/Fall%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vE0XNXVyFyM/W-NZaEICF4I/AAAAAAAABdE/mLxDxd9zSmk3ymkL5-BcqaS5tZkhpctvgCLcBGAs/s320/Fall%2B2018.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spectators at Minnesota State athletics home events the last five years have enjoyed and appreciated the energy and atmosphere enhanced by the performances of the Maverick Machine, the school's marching and pep band.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These ensembles fall under the direction of <b>Michael Thursby</b>, MSU's Director of Athletic Bands & Percussion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">MavBlog took a few moments to do a Q & A with the guy who is in charge of one of the most integral pieces to the Maverick game-day experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tell us about where you're from and where you went to school</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, got my undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and have a master's from Northern Iowa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What were you up to prior to coming to Minnesota State to get our band program up and running? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I taught high school band in Grand Rapids, Minn., for three years. My wife (Sarah) is from the Twin Cities and went to UMD. That's kind of how we ended up up north. We liked the northern Minnesota feel and this was my first introduction to hockey. And as far as my interest in coming to Minnesota State, I like sports and I like band. This is what drew me to this position. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was a drummer growing up, but thought I could be an athlete. I played high school basketball, but it was during that time that my
attention shifted to music. I've always had a passion for sports, something that was always there. I was in the drum and bugle corps and that was my outlet. Growing up, I was always a big Hawkeye fan and loved going to
those events. I was in the band at Iowa and had a great experience and I
knew at that point that this could be a career path. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, you throw in my background with my passion and I thought this would something I could do, But there's not a lot of
college band jobs across the country and honestly, I got lucky (in landing the Minnesota State job) and like a lot of things in life, this opportunity opened at the right time for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The band program at Minnesota State had been dormant for several years. How hard was it getting the Maverick Machine up and running?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We had a small budget to start with, so we bought some used stuff. In think we bought some used tubas from Waseca High School and
found some used uniforms to get everything started. And we started recruiting. Between 2013 and 2015 I would say I was in 50+ schools letting kids know
we had a program. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now we take the band places. Last year there was the Super Bowl Live event (we were the only college
band there). There's a big high school marching band event
in October at US Bank and we've been up there a couple of times when we
don't have a home football game. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My goal is
to make the program open to anyone who wants to participate. We have
130 kids right now and our goal is to get to 200. I'm by myself here, so it's a big
task. Right now, I don't know if we can go any bigger than that. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What kind of goals do you have for the band moving forward? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think when I first came, I had a different vision then were we are now. I'm happy where we are now. Our goal is entertain and pump people up. I think originally I was focused more on the band and less on athletics and we've flipped that. It's gotta be fun. For everyone, the student-athletes, the fans, and for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd like to increase our numbers. That's the biggest one - increasing numbers. The travel experience has been amazing and the connections that the students have as result of what we've created. They're developing life long relationships and that's pretty cool. At the end of the day, there's wins and losses, good performances and bad performances, but we'll always have these relationships.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Personally, what lies ahead?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, our family's busy. Sarah is an english teacher and runs the theatre program at New Ulm High School. We have a couple of energetic sons (Carter (4) and Dillon (2)) and we absolutely love being here. We're looking forward to playing a part in the success of Maverick Athletics and continuing to grow our band program.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-66645085779660223002018-05-29T08:17:00.000-07:002018-05-29T08:21:49.456-07:00Mission Cap<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdQZnhk0NxE/Ww1uB7uXdpI/AAAAAAAABcY/dAsiSuF-fk8VeZ2GmQRlgiv-jXILbJ8KQCLcBGAs/s1600/mission_IMG_8041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdQZnhk0NxE/Ww1uB7uXdpI/AAAAAAAABcY/dAsiSuF-fk8VeZ2GmQRlgiv-jXILbJ8KQCLcBGAs/s400/mission_IMG_8041.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Anna Keys, Jared Spooner, Nick Bryant, Emily Antony, <br />Taylor Gulenchen, Josh French and Aaron Nelson spent <br />a week in Trinidad on a Varsity Catholic mission trip</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">What do you do when school's over for the semester?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">For a few members of the Minnesota State men's and women's hockey programs, you take the opportunity to spend a week in Trinidad, </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">bringing the game of hockey to youth and sharing with them the passion for the sport. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Along with former Maverick women's hockey equipment manager <b>Nick Bryant</b>, three men's hockey players (<b>Jared Spooner, Josh French </b>and <b>Aaron Nelson</b>) and three women's hockey (<b>Anna Keys, Emily Antony </b>and <b>Taylor Gulenchyn</b>) players </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">went to schools and taught children how to play street hockey,
as well as a school for disabled youth and where they played an adaptive form of
street hockey.</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The trip was made in conjunction with Varsity Catholic, an organization that sponsors numerous
mission trips over college breaks and especially during the summer
months for student-athletes
in particular. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The purpose of the trip was to give back to those less </span><span style="color: black;">fortunate and in addition to sharing hockey, the group also went on multiple home visits, went to visit
an elderly home, and spoke to a group of high school boys about sports
and faith. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The trip came about with these individuals in particular as they are in the same bible study group at Minnesota State. They wanted to do something productive with their shared interests and thought this would
be a great way
to do just that.They fundraised the entire cost associated with the trip
and the was the first time doing something like this for all of them.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Going
on the trip was an opportunity of a lifetime," said Bryant. "And being able to
share the sport we love with those kids was unforgettable."</span></span></span></div>
Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-81986491944795124992018-03-26T11:25:00.001-07:002018-03-26T11:26:23.482-07:0010 Questions With Lori Meyer<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW176552140" style="direction: ltr;">
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I sat down with <b>Lori Meyer</b></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> head softball coach </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">for the past 33 years at Minnesota State. Under her leadership Minnesota State</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> University</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> has won three No</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">rth Central Conference t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">itles, f</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ive
Northern Sun Intercollegiate titles, made 14 trips to the NCAA Division
II National Tournament, three trips to the NCAA Champ</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ionships, and won the NCAA Division</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> II National Championship</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> title</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> in 2017. We talked about the 2017 championship season and what we can look forward to on the diamond this spring. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Coming off a national championship, how satisfying and rewarding was it to reac</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">h the pinnacle of your career?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">It</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">’</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">s an </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">unbelievable </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">experience. The win</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">puts in perspe</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ctive that in softball there have</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> been 36</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">national</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> championships </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">since softball has been around in the NCAA. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">[That shows] the magnitude of how great of an opportunity, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">what </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">a surreal experience it was t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">o wait 33 years to receive an NCAA Division II National Championship</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> Every year you set out</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> as a coach</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">, a goal </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">to get one in your career. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Third </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">place </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">in</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">19</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">87,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">fifth place </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">in </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">2011</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">n last y</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ar</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> to go back and win it</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. I just felt fortunate to say</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I was able to be at the national tournament twice</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> in my career</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and get those top five </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">finishes</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. N</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ow to say </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I won</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> the nati</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">onal championship</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">here at this u</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">niversity</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and the trophy </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">sits</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> in my office</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">It</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> still continues </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">to be hard to be put into words. I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">t is very rewarding and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">gratifying. I just wish everyone could have that experience</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">—the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">student athletes and al</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">l my fellow coaches here at MNSU</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">It really is the pinnacle</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">you chase through</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">out</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> your career and to be able to say</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">“</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I’ve got one</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">”</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> is really something special. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW176552140" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px;"><span class="SCXW176552140"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">What was running through your mind when you won the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">National C</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">hampionship?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">How we approached it out there</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> at the national tour</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">nament, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">was how we </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">approached games </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">all season</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">It</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">’s</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> just another game. O</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ne game at a time, one pitch at a time. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I know it sounds cliché, b</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ut we really did go through our season like that</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">—through </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the conference season, through the conference tournament, regionals, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">super regionals</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. To me</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> super regionals </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">was maybe the most intense three-</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">game</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> series</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I’ve</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> ever been through. That super regional</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> against Harding was so intense. We had weather issues. W</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e had won </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">first game in t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">he tenth inning on a home run. W</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e beat ourselves in game two</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and then to come back in game three</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">W</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e had such a tight zone and the score was 3-4</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. W</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e were behind</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and the weather moved in. There were just so many </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">uncontrollable situations</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Senior leadership kept the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">team grounded and played like it</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">
was just another game. We never said it was a last game, or a last
practice. We knew what the atmosphere would be in Virginia. We would
say, “Why not us?”</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW176552140" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px;"><span class="SCXW176552140"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">What challenges did you face in 2017?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A: We only had 15</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> players</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> on the roster</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and three of them were pitchers so having a small roster was</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> one of the challenges. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Another
challenge was the lack of depth in a catching position. Two kids walked
away in August right before school started and would have provided some
depth if Cori Kennedy, our only catcher with experience, went down. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">We</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> had to figure out how to keep Kennedy </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">healthy</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">so her legs and body could last. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">The schedule, too, was a challenge. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">We ended up playing 71</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> games, which is a lot of games. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I go back to our seniors who provided </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">tremendous leadership</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. They did a good job helping the tw</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">o</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> freshme</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">n in the lineup</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">mber </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Kral</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and Carly </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">E</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">sselman</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">adapt to the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">riggers</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> of D</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ivision II softball and that transition from high school to college ball.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Have you had time to reflect on what yo</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">u and your team accomplished?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Yeah,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> I think we really have. The</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> ring ceremony tied in with homecoming</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. The u</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">niversit</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">y did a tremendous job to make T</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">eam 33 f</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">eel special when they got</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> their rings</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. A city bus, wrapped with a picture of the seniors holding up the trophy, picked them up and took them around campus. The bus </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">took them down wh</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ere football alumni and people were tailgating</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. The </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">kids </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">walked off</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the bus </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">and h</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ld the trophy</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> up. We </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">were </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">honored at </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">halftime</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> during the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> football game and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">at </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">men’s</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> hockey. I think that when you really look back at that day</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> I also think prior to that when we had the c</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">elebration Tuesday down at the Civic Center P</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">laza, none of us knew what to expect. No one knew if there would be 50 people or 100 </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">hundred</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> people</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> but when we pulled around that corner</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">, the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> kids could see that </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">a </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">large c</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">r</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">owd </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">had gathered.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> Everything had been or</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ganized for them. I </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">think</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> that’s when i</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> sunk in to our kids</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. When </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">you win it out there,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> you win it</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> but you</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">’</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">r</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> in th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e moment. T</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">he minute we won it we had a good chunk </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">of time on the field for photos, then </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">we </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">all ate together. It was Memorial Day and the parents had to get on the road and back to work. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">We had to fly back. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">W</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">hen we got back here</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and for that celebration</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> down at the Civic Center P</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">laza, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">that is when it sunk in to our kid</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">s what we had accomplished. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I think </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">for</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the first 24-48 hours</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> you can’t </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">comprehend</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> what you’ve done </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">because</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> you’re </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">on such a high</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> it</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">’</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">s just like “oh my go</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">d,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> it</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">’</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">s </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">unbelievable</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">”</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> On</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ce we got back</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> we had time to look</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> back and realize those things—</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the kids</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> can look at their championship rings and look at their trophies. Again </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the win is </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">referenced everywhere. I </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">think </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">[then] </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">you have time to step back and realize really how special and phenomenal it is. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">How important were your assistant coaches in last year’s success?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Everybody’s</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> important. You know it doesn’t matter </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">what role you have on this team, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">whether </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">you’re</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> the associate head coach</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the graduate assistant</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">bull pen catcher</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> third or fourth string pitcher</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">everyone’s</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> role is important. Last y</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ear it took the 15</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> players, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the three coaches</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">our trainers</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> s</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">trength and conditioning people, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">and
sports information to accomplish what we accomplished. We are all a
team together. We need the support of staff to help get us where we</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">’</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">re at</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">need </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Coach W</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">olcott</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> calling </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the games</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> I think </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">she’s one of the best at calling the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> games, w</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">orking with our pitchers and catchers</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">what she does with the defense and hitting. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">It was our first year with Sammie </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Hildreth</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">a graduate assistant</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">who</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">brought</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> to the table</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">, her </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">personality</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">—she’s a </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">good blend between me and W</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">olcott—a</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">nd [her </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">experience] </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">with hit</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ting and catching</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Our staff works </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">well together. We can</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> all check our egos at the door. W</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e can be open</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and we can agree to disagree</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> but again</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> we always have at hear</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">t what is the best for the team. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">We have to all work together</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">, and</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> I think we </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">do a really good job of that. We also do a </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">really good job at teaching life lessons. We</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> do character development and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">community engagement</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I think it’s a great philosophy</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> for student athletes in Division II</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">t’s not just about the wins and losses. I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">’</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">s about them getting their degree</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">, it’s</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> about leaving here as independent young women</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">In the scheme of life</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> softball is just a game. No matter if you went 0-3 that day</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> at the end of the day</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> step back</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. D</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">o you have your health</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">? D</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">o you have both your parents</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">? D</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">o you have a bed to go home and sleep in</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">? D</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">o you still have an opportunity t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">o have three meals on the table? L</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ife’s pretty good isn’t it? That’s what I think</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. W</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e do a r</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">eally good job</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> in teaching</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> core values of</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> family, success, integrity, passion, and respect. We embrace those </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">c</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ore values</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and we do a really good job of working with one another. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">We </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">w</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ork smart</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> work efficiently</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and b</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">r</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ing new ideas to the table. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q: Outside of winning, what enjoyment do you get out of coaching softball?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A:
Watching student athletes develop from day one when you start
recruiting them. They might be eighth graders, ninth graders, tenth
graders, eleventh graders, seniors. Getting them here and watching them
grow as people</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> is so enjoyable</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">.
Our goal is to have them leave here with degree in hand, and leave as
strong, independent young women. So, really it’s watching </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">a kid </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">grow as a person, and it’s a</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">lso watching her </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">grow as a ballplayer</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. We d</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">o a good job here to get </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the kids </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">out
their comfort zone. We can coach them as the potential we see they can
do. They come in and their ceiling limit is “here”…I know you can play
up to “here.” It’s enjoyable to watch them grow as people and students.
Most kids come in as marginal students. They graduated, they came in as a
Mav</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">erick achievement award winner and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">achieved </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Dean’s L</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ist. And, that’s very fulfilling. It’s about the relationships you build. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">What was your off-season like?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A: It was crazy busy. When we go</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> back the first week of June, we felt like we were beh</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ind in recruiting. We were finishing up paperwork, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">recruiting and getting ready for the next year. We blinked and it fel</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> like August was here. It was time to go again. We had t</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">o wrap up the season, end the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> fiscal year, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">work on </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">budgets, and had administrative meetings</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">We
were asked to speak at the Hitting Summit. So, we did that. It was
whirlwind of a summer. It wasn’t a typical summer to have time for Lori
Meyer. But, that’s okay. I’d do it again. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> What is the expectation for this upcoming season?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A: Our expectations haven’t </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">really changed from</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> season to season. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Team 33 graduated </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">so </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">there
will never be another team like Team 33, and the reason I say that is
Team 33 was made up of those personalities. Team 34 has to have its own
personality; its own identity. Just like the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> 2011 team that played for the C</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">hampionship. Our goals and expectations stay pretty consistent. We expect to b</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e a top team in the NSIC, </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">a top team in the region</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">, and we </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">expect </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">to do well in the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">season, in the</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> conference tournament</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and to make post season. We haven’t changed thos</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">e expectations</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. Those are the expectations in this program</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> each year</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">.
What do we have to do with such a young team? We have got to get those
kids to believe that. They have to have confidence and trust the
process, and to realize they can play and achieve those things. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">: What do you feel you have left to accomplish after winning a National Championship?</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A: I don’t think winning a National C</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">hampionship defines you. I think what defines you is consistency in your career. So, I think I have a lot more left. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I look at it as a challenge: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">
How are we going to respond because we have such a young team after
coming back and winning? Are we going to be the first team to win a
national championship and then go to the bottom of the cellar? That to
me is not acceptable. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">What
I tell my players is that it doesn’t mean anything to me if you hit
300-400 one year. Do it consistently. We are not going to sell this
program short and say we have 12 new kids, or now we have a lot of new
kids and can’t do what we did before. We are not</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> going to give an excuse. We will</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> consistently c</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ontinue to be a top program</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">. It’s also my job to continue to mentor other young c</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">oaches in Division II softball </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">and
women’s athletics. I also will continue to develop the young student
athletes I have in my program and in this MSU athletic program that I
have the opportunity to be involved in. To watch them develop and grow
as people is rewarding. I still think I have a lot left to offer and a
lot left to accomplish. I’m not ready to say “I won the trophy. I’m
done.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> Let’s retire.” </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">“Why wouldn’t you retire after 33 years of winning it all in such a magical season you had?” I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">’ve been asked that a lot, and I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> think there’s more yet to do. I don’t think one trophy defines it. I think there’s more that I can continue to offer. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">Q: What do you do outside of coaching to decompress?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176552140" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">A:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> I like to work out</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and I’m an outdoors person. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I have a horse, a Missouri Fox Trotter, and I love to go horseback</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> riding</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and camping. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">enjoy</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> trail riding</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">I </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">h</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">ave
a great group of friends to go with. I missed all of that last summer.
That’s okay. I also like to spend time with my two great nephews</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> who</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">
come down from Maple Grove. Spending time with them goes back to my
childhood when I would spend time with my cousins in Des Moines. My mom
lives with me and that’s their great grandmother. They</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> are 5 and almost 3—fun ages—and I </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;">enjoy teaching them how to ride. I’m not a complicated person. I enjoy the simple life.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176552140" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176552140" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW176552140" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21px;"> <i> Contributed by Sloane Bergert, Athletic Communications Intern</i></span></div>
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Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-63519664385466672012018-03-21T07:36:00.001-07:002018-03-21T07:36:18.326-07:00Davis Has Earned Her Stripes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdofn67ttGw/WrJsX9pJhHI/AAAAAAAABa0/SNEi4GWt3bkQnCoYTVmqgT3-0cDEYiByQCLcBGAs/s1600/VickiDavis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdofn67ttGw/WrJsX9pJhHI/AAAAAAAABa0/SNEi4GWt3bkQnCoYTVmqgT3-0cDEYiByQCLcBGAs/s1600/VickiDavis.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MSU women's basketball and volleyball<br />
alum Vicki Davis serves as the coordinator<br />
of women's basketball officials for the<br />
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Vicki Davis admits that officiating runs in her blood. <br />
<br />
A 1971 graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, she owns three degrees from the school. After completing her undergraduate degree, she finished a master’s degree in 1978 that was in physical education and health, and then in 1983 she received an administration degree. <br />
<br />
Davis’s schedule is anything, but free. Her calendar is consistent for month long periods filled with: scouting out new talent, attending NCAA clinics to relay information to coaches and officials, understanding new rules and regulations, watching and attending women’s basketball games, reviewing previous calls on games making sure they were correct and legal, and setting up meetings with coaches to discuss how the season went. <br />
<br />
Davis first attended college the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, before transferring back closer to home to attend MSU.<br />
<br />
She played women’s basketball for three years in Mankato, with primary position was forward center during the years of 1968-1971. <br />
<br />
It is no surprise that her passion lies within women’s basketball.<br />
<br />
Having been inspired by by her father, who served as a basketball official, Davis was first introduced to officiating while she was participating in practice, as the classes ran at the same time. She understood what officials were looking for and then learned the rest through listening during practice. <br />
<br />
Her first job officiating was at a junior varsity basketball game. The coaches liked what they witnessed and then asked Davis to officiate the rest of the season. <br />
<br />
Besides working the JV games, she also worked with volleyball and basketball at the college level. Furthermore, a great moment of her officiating career was in 1972 when she was asked to officiate the national volleyball tournament, which was held in Miami, Fla.<br />
<br />
<br />
Davis now serves as the coordinator of women’s
basketball officials for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. <br />
<br />
“They (official) are both a part of basketball, to make basketball better together," she said when asked what she liked about the officiating profession, stressing the importance of her position in watching coaches and officials work together.<br />
<br />
<br />
As a long-time official, Davis said she understood that one of the most important qualities an official can have is gaining the coaches trust. “Basketball is a game of trust and without being on the same page challenges can arise.” <br />
<br />
She mentioned the difference from her past experiences in women’s basketball to her now future experiences as “night and day.” The major differences are more players on the court, and the name of women’s basketball as a whole being more respected. <br />
<br />
“It has been fun to watch the game grow. Players need to appreciate what they have, as things can be taken away very quickly.” <br />
<br />
“Hopefully kids are going to school to get a good education, and I worry about what the kids choose to participate in, as they should enjoy the ability to play basketball at a university, and not be forced to do so.” <br />
<br />
Inducted into the Minnesota State Athletics in 1983, Davis served as the ssistant Athletic Director and Volleyball Coach at Hastings (Minn.) High
School and served as the President of the Minnesota State girls high school
coaches association.<br />
<br />
A lasting piece of advice that she can give to college level athletes is “stay involved, and gives back to the sport. Attend games and volunteer to be a scorekeeper or timer for high school or college teams. Most importantly be a good fan, come to the alumna games and be a huge supporter to women’s basketball or any sport that you may have previously played in.”<br />
<br />
<i> Liz Anderson, Minnesota State Athletic Communications intern</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-79406338349780379852018-02-28T07:31:00.000-08:002018-02-28T08:00:43.472-08:00You Play. Chicken Soup for the Hockey Player's Soul<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQMECf_v2hY/WpbKs8mjC_I/AAAAAAAABZ4/MkOJgICeDuIx3_40yhiKKGcGxXVY5_o1gCLcBGAs/s1600/mcclure_DSC_4933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQMECf_v2hY/WpbKs8mjC_I/AAAAAAAABZ4/MkOJgICeDuIx3_40yhiKKGcGxXVY5_o1gCLcBGAs/s320/mcclure_DSC_4933.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Brad McClure has helped lead Minnesota State<br />to 98 wins in the last four seasons</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What do you do when something is part of your family culture?<br />
<br />
What do you do when your dad first put a pair of skates on your feet when you were three years old? What do you do when you play three years of junior hockey, but leave home, almost 2,500 miles away, to play a couple more years with the idea that it will lead to even more years of doing something you really like doing? What do you do when, after moving again, this time to Minnesota, with a chance to play four more years? <br />
<br />
The answer is you play. For as long as you can. This is the life of a hockey soul.<br />
<br />
“As far back as I can remember, I’ve always like the atmosphere of the game,” says Minnesota State senior winger Brad McClure. “Hockey requires you to think at a high pace and the game is constantly changing, you have to continuously learn and develop as a player in order to be successful. The thing I love about hockey now is how competitive it is. Winning is what drives me weather that’s in practice or a game and the opportunity to be a difference maker is something that fuels me every day.”<br />
<br />
McClure played three seasons of junior hockey with his hometown Stratford (Ont.) Cullitons before heading west for Penticton of the British Columbia Hockey League. “The best decision of my life,” led to 85 goals and 74 assists for 159 points in 137 games and a stint serving as team captain of the Vees, which led to a scholarship offer from Minnesota State. <br />
<br />
Now into his fourth season with the Mavericks, McClure has totaled 43 goals and 45 assists with his 88 points in 153 games placing him in the top 25 all-time at the school in terms of career scoring. He, along with C.J. Suess and Max Coatta, is serving as a team captain this year. The 2017-18 season has plenty of games left, but Minnesota State has racked up 98 victories in McClure’s time with the program. <br />
<br />
Mike Hastings, who is in his sixth season as head coach of the Mavericks, says that the success of the program aligning with McClure’s time with the team is no coincidence.<br />
<br />
“He’s the kind of player that can win you a game,” said Hastings, who has led Minnesota State to three NCAA tournament appearances. “But he’s much more than a scorer now. He plays a multidimensional game and has developed into a player that you can rely upon. You sometimes miss players when they graduate and you sometimes miss people. I’m going to miss him for both reasons. He’s a “we” guy and been a great leader for us, taken the responsibility of being a captain seriously and served as a role model for our underclassmen.”<br />
<br />
McClure, who came to Minnesota State with the reputation of not only being a goal-scorer, but also a player who scored big goals, has built upon that reputation over the course of his collegiate career. As a freshman he scored the last three goals in the WCHA Final Five Championship game in a 5-2 win over Michigan Tech. He has eight career game-winning goals, but both the player and the coach agree that McClure’s game has evolved.<br />
<br />
“I try to play an honest 200-foot game and have become pretty reliable defensively,” said McClure, who will graduate with a degree in interdisciplinary studies this spring. “And, I’d like to think that I can be slotted in on any of the lines and maybe provide an offensive spark.”<br />
<br />
“He’s always had the word “goal scorer” attached to his name,” adds Hastings. “But I think he’s learned to put a few more eggs in his basket. He’s learned to be a better defender. He’s always been a special teams player for us. You feel like the next shift will be the one that he’s going to score, but he’s really rounded out his game and he’s really a complete player that can also be dangerous that can change the course of the game with that one shift.”<br />
<br />
With the the league postseason tournament and a potential run through the NCAA tournament looming, McClure knows there’s still some unfinished business.<br />
<br />
“Coming into the season, with this group, our goals haven’t changed. We want to win the MacNaughton Cup. We want to win the Broadmoor Trophy. And we want to get to the NCAA tournament. That being said, I think we’re pretty good at focusing at one game at a time and not getting to far in front of ourselves.”<br />
<br />
Graduation and a postgraduation career awaits. Until then you do what you’ve always do.<br />
<br />
You play.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Paul Allan | Minnesota State Associate Director of Athletics</i></span><br />
<br />Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4443785650795017609.post-69243348981464465572018-02-07T08:46:00.000-08:002018-02-07T09:45:42.234-08:00Aspect Ratio<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jase Hanson has thrived in her first season of swimming<br />for her hometown Mavericks</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Jace Hanson </b>is happy she made the decision to swim collegiately in her hometown.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The sophomore, a Mankato West High School product, has helped the Mavericks post an
almost perfect dual meet season in 2017-18 with the Mavericks sporting a 6-1 win-loss record.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">At the mid-season Rochester Invitational in November,
Hanson finished in the top 24 in the 100-yard backstroke with a 1:01.06 clocking.
She also helped two of the Maverick relays place fifth (200-yard
freestyle) and second (200-yard medley), respectively at the UW-Steven’s Point
Invite. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">"I really appreciate the way Coach Owens runs the team and each practice has meaning," said Hanson about her swimming for the Mavericks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Nate Owens</b>, who is his 14th season in charge of the Minnesota State women's swimming & diving program, said that Hanson's been a key member of the team.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal; text-transform: none;">“Jace
has been a great addition to our sprint group this year. Although she’s
been dealing with a torn labrum for the duration of the year, she’s
battled and held
up well throughout a very demanding training schedule. As a credit to
her, she has continued to steadily improve every week. With her best
events being sprint Freestyle and Backstroke, it will be exciting to see
what kind of time drops she can post next week
at the NSIC Championship meet. Along with the rest of our team, Jace has
worked her tail off this year, it will be good to see all that hard
work pay off.” </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hanson
has been swimming for eight y</span>ears, but she has more than just one
passion. In addition to her ability on the pool, but she also has a
passion for photography.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Looking through a camera lense, exploring different settings and editing techniques,"gives her a perspective on the the world in new in different
ways," says Hanson.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">She also feels that it's helped her be more open to the world around her and see
each situation at different angles. It has helped her think of many
solutions to problems by thinking creatively during her political
science classes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">“It helps me to be more positive on a daily basis and
to see the beauty in things many people wouldn’t think about looking
at,” said Hanson. She also said that it has helped her meet many
new and interesting people through their shared interest. She has
curated a photography business for herself two years ago called JHanson
Photography, with examples of her work <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JaceHansonPhotography/" target="_blank">available here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">An advocate for the empowerment of women of all ages, Hanson is
featured on the website at sheofstrength.com, as a co-founder. “I believe
young women are the foundation of a new outlook on life,” Hanson said
when asked about why she wanted to join the site. She believes that in
combining her love of photography, swimming and politics, she is an
example of leadership and seeks inspire young women to find their passion
and use it to change the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Hanson, who has worked at the Mankato YMCA as well as at Tourtellotte Park pool
in the summer, where she is a head lifeguard at both pools and has been
working there for three years. A six-year member of the Scarlet swim team at Mankato West as a high-schooler, she now serves as an assistant swim coach for the Scarlets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">With a dream job of working as a White House
photographer, Hanson looks forward to continuing to pursue a political science degree and
to grow her photography business.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> Contributed by Morgan Seaton, Minnesota State Athletic Communications intern </i></span>Paul Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08032800025092621511noreply@blogger.com0