sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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At the end of each season, the Hardware Club has a dinner to raise funds and honor the team, with a focus on the departing seniors. That dinner was held tonight in the Onondaga Convention Center.
Record turnout of 1000 fans. They start out with a reception/autograph session/silent auction. Then you head to your table ($75 a head) for dinner and the program. Matt Park was the emcee. JB talked a couple of times about the season and the seniors, the seniors all talked, etc. They always honor a former basketball player with the Vic Hanson Medal of Excellence. Sean Kerins was honored this year.
Don't have a lot of time but here is a quick review:
Dr Gross spoke briefly, noted that this was the best regular season ever for the basketball program, said JB is the dean of his coaches and sets a standard for everyone else, mentioned that the lacrosse programs, the tennis program and the softball program are all now enjoying national success like the men's hoop program.
JB said a lot of nice things about the team and the senior leaders. Dogged Dion a couple of times for being a problem, joked about him only being happy when JB played him. Was especially appreciative of Nick Resavy, Brandon Reese and Mike Tomaszewski, who all had a chance to say a few words to the crowd. Resavy's speech was especially good. He apparently will be back next season as a GA. Congrats to him for landing that. A couple of the senior managers also spoke. Dan Sullivan had a good speech and Pat Luckett, the senior head manager aka the kid on the bench with the red hair, had a really good speech. Lots of talk about family, learning values, great appreciation for the opportunity, great respect for the players and especially the staff.
Sean Kerins was then introduced. JB said he was one of the hardest workers he has ever had and the only player he has had who has been able to graduate with an engineering degree in 4 years.
Kerins gave an excellent speech talking about how the values he learned at SU have helped him in the real world after school. Working as a team, sacrificing personal goals for the sake of the team, working extremely hard, being sure you are well prepared before a big game, etc. Talked to the players, told them how common it is for former players to regret not taking advantage of their time on the team to become as good as they could become. Urged them to be sure not to have to carry the weight of regret the rest of their lives.
Ended telling the story of the lonely trophy. Saw the NC trophy on display in the Dome, thought it was great but also thought it looked really lonely and desperately needs another one like it to keep it company.
Dinner was a piece of roasted chicken, a disc of deep fried starch that I believe was made of polenta. There were also some carrots and green beans. A wedge of iceberg lettuce started the meal, served with bits of bacon and a few bits of tomato (ranch dressing served on the side). Dessert was a piece of chocolate cake, more chocolate than cake, served with a couple of blueberries and a wafer with a dab of sugared cream on top. The chicken was a little dry, I am not a fan of polenta, but I am happy to report they serve a fine brand of Canada Dry ginger ale (perhaps in honor of KJ?) that was a fine vintage that recused the less than sterling meal.
There is a silent auction where you can get things like signed jerseys, basketballs and basketball shoes and posters for a good price. And a player auction where individuals can bid on getting a group of 2 players to sit at their table. I sat at a table cto put together that featured OrangeVA, BillOrange, cto, CherieHoops, MrCherieHoops, stuckinbigten and a lurker. We were joined by Rakeem and Scoop, who were constantly interrupted during their dinner for autograph and picture requests. They were very accomodating, as expected.
This is a great event, excellent chance to get autographs and pictures with your favorite Orangeman, and a chance to hear lots of people talk about the Orange. The 2012 highlight film made its debut and was pretty awesome. If you have a chance to attend someday, I recommend that you do it. It is something any SU hoops fanatic will be sure to enjoy.
This is a great event
KJ made a nice speech talking about falling in love with SU when Carmelo and company won the NC in 2003. Talked about how some of the most important lessons he learned were about waiting your turn and watching the game to learn while biding your time. He ended with another pitch for more followers on Twitter. He is all about getting more followers on Twitter. Also asked SU fans to please not forget about him when he leaves.
Scoop spoke last. Thanked just about everyone for helping to make him the man he is today. Special thanks went to Stan Kissell, who apparently played a key role getting him to take his academics seriously and getting him to graduate on time, and for Mike Hopkins, who Scoop says comes up on his phone as the name 'White Dad'. The players love the assistant coaches, especially Hopkins, which follows a pattern that has been going on since Mike joined the staff.
Scoop also took the time to look at Dr Gross and say "Thanks DG". They are apparently on an initial calling basis. But Scoop is like that with everyone. He ended by promising the fans the team would do everything possible to bring a NC back home this post season.
Record turnout of 1000 fans. They start out with a reception/autograph session/silent auction. Then you head to your table ($75 a head) for dinner and the program. Matt Park was the emcee. JB talked a couple of times about the season and the seniors, the seniors all talked, etc. They always honor a former basketball player with the Vic Hanson Medal of Excellence. Sean Kerins was honored this year.
Don't have a lot of time but here is a quick review:
Dr Gross spoke briefly, noted that this was the best regular season ever for the basketball program, said JB is the dean of his coaches and sets a standard for everyone else, mentioned that the lacrosse programs, the tennis program and the softball program are all now enjoying national success like the men's hoop program.
JB said a lot of nice things about the team and the senior leaders. Dogged Dion a couple of times for being a problem, joked about him only being happy when JB played him. Was especially appreciative of Nick Resavy, Brandon Reese and Mike Tomaszewski, who all had a chance to say a few words to the crowd. Resavy's speech was especially good. He apparently will be back next season as a GA. Congrats to him for landing that. A couple of the senior managers also spoke. Dan Sullivan had a good speech and Pat Luckett, the senior head manager aka the kid on the bench with the red hair, had a really good speech. Lots of talk about family, learning values, great appreciation for the opportunity, great respect for the players and especially the staff.
Sean Kerins was then introduced. JB said he was one of the hardest workers he has ever had and the only player he has had who has been able to graduate with an engineering degree in 4 years.
Kerins gave an excellent speech talking about how the values he learned at SU have helped him in the real world after school. Working as a team, sacrificing personal goals for the sake of the team, working extremely hard, being sure you are well prepared before a big game, etc. Talked to the players, told them how common it is for former players to regret not taking advantage of their time on the team to become as good as they could become. Urged them to be sure not to have to carry the weight of regret the rest of their lives.
Ended telling the story of the lonely trophy. Saw the NC trophy on display in the Dome, thought it was great but also thought it looked really lonely and desperately needs another one like it to keep it company.
Dinner was a piece of roasted chicken, a disc of deep fried starch that I believe was made of polenta. There were also some carrots and green beans. A wedge of iceberg lettuce started the meal, served with bits of bacon and a few bits of tomato (ranch dressing served on the side). Dessert was a piece of chocolate cake, more chocolate than cake, served with a couple of blueberries and a wafer with a dab of sugared cream on top. The chicken was a little dry, I am not a fan of polenta, but I am happy to report they serve a fine brand of Canada Dry ginger ale (perhaps in honor of KJ?) that was a fine vintage that recused the less than sterling meal.
There is a silent auction where you can get things like signed jerseys, basketballs and basketball shoes and posters for a good price. And a player auction where individuals can bid on getting a group of 2 players to sit at their table. I sat at a table cto put together that featured OrangeVA, BillOrange, cto, CherieHoops, MrCherieHoops, stuckinbigten and a lurker. We were joined by Rakeem and Scoop, who were constantly interrupted during their dinner for autograph and picture requests. They were very accomodating, as expected.
This is a great event, excellent chance to get autographs and pictures with your favorite Orangeman, and a chance to hear lots of people talk about the Orange. The 2012 highlight film made its debut and was pretty awesome. If you have a chance to attend someday, I recommend that you do it. It is something any SU hoops fanatic will be sure to enjoy.
This is a great event
KJ made a nice speech talking about falling in love with SU when Carmelo and company won the NC in 2003. Talked about how some of the most important lessons he learned were about waiting your turn and watching the game to learn while biding your time. He ended with another pitch for more followers on Twitter. He is all about getting more followers on Twitter. Also asked SU fans to please not forget about him when he leaves.
Scoop spoke last. Thanked just about everyone for helping to make him the man he is today. Special thanks went to Stan Kissell, who apparently played a key role getting him to take his academics seriously and getting him to graduate on time, and for Mike Hopkins, who Scoop says comes up on his phone as the name 'White Dad'. The players love the assistant coaches, especially Hopkins, which follows a pattern that has been going on since Mike joined the staff.
Scoop also took the time to look at Dr Gross and say "Thanks DG". They are apparently on an initial calling basis. But Scoop is like that with everyone. He ended by promising the fans the team would do everything possible to bring a NC back home this post season.
