Fast Breaking with Coach Ed Conroy
October 13, 2006
It's here.
Basketball practice begins tonight (Friday) at 7 p.m. here in McAlister Field House. And I simply can't wait to put the whistle around my neck for the first time this season.
Traditionally, basketball practices for NCAA teams begin on Oct. 15 but the new rules have us starting on the Friday closest to the 15th. Whereas Midnight Madness reportedly started years ago by Lefty Driesell is the start of practice for many colleges and universities, we'll start at 7 pm Friday, but if there is enough interest, we may look at conducting a Midnight Madness next year. Would you attend if we did it?
Our first of two exhibition games is set for Nov. 2 against Georgia Southwestern State, and we'll encompass the 16th Annual “Meet the Bulldogs Night” with that exhibition. Look for forthcoming information on the “Meet the Bulldogs Night.”
The second exhibition is against Lander University on Nov. 6, and the season begins on Homecoming Friday, Nov. 10, with a home game against Ohio Valley University of Vienna, W.Va.
My staff and I have noted that by Nov. 13 a month from now we will have played two exhibitions and three regularly-scheduled games, so we should get a good barometer as to where we stand relatively early in the season, which also starts a week earlier this year.
The early start also means that you probably see a few less drills and wind sprints on the opening day than you may remember in the good ol' days. We are allowed a little more time on the court and with a ball in our preseason workouts now and so we have done a lot of fundamental work already. The emphasis will stay on fundamentals but the conditioning will come from the pace and intensity within practice.
Season tickets for the 2006-07 basketball season are now on sale (available for $105 and will increase to $130 after Nov. 6) in our Ticket Office and I ask you to please consider purchasing season tickets this year.
In addition to season tickets, two Mini-Packs are also available ($20 apiece). The Carolina Pack includes a ticket to the South Carolina game on Nov. 27, Georgia Southern on Jan. 13 and Furman on Feb. 17, while the Charleston Pack includes tickets to the College of Charleston game on Jan. 8, UNC Greensboro on Jan. 20, and Wofford on Feb. 12.
We're looking for large crowds at home this season and hope you will like what you see on the court.
Former Players....
As I have written on this site before, one of the most enjoyable parts of this job is being able to interact with the former players on a consistent basis. The Citadel is unique in the interest level and involvement of its former players and this is something that I hope continues to get only better. They are always welcome. Their involvement means a lot to us in terms of role models for our current players, their successes are noticed by future prospects, and they set the tone many times for our fan base. We have not done an adequate job of highlighting the incredible number of basketball graduates we have produced and the successes they have enjoyed after their Citadel career.
In the past month, several have stopped by campus and spent a few minutes speaking with the team. Among them, Jamie Jenkins (All-SoCon 1990), Dave Bornhorst, Billy McQueeney, Kiril Misyuchenko (great shot blocker), Alan Puckett (No.2 in all-time 3's made), Tom Slawson (4th all-time in scoring),and Dante Terry. Ted Mosay (13th all- time scoring), Todd Holstein (4th all-time free throw percentage). Ryan Nesbit (he hit the-nail-in-the-coffin shot to knock off South Carolina in 1989) stopped by with his family. Ryan is doing very well and is employed at the University of Georgia. Patrick Elmore stopped by with his wife. Patrick dropped a memorable 40 points on ETSU one night in McAlister Field House, and he resides in Hartford, Conn.
So many former basketball players have gone on to do so well and their enthusiasm and interest in the program's success is inspiring.
Every day other former Bulldog players will call the office to check in. Please keep the calls and emails coming.
Bark Back!
Send feedback, comments and questions to Ed Conroy here.
