Tuesday, April 04, 2006
The Legend of Bus No. 2
I just wanted to take a moment to touch base on our pre-game rhythm claps. A big kudos to Big Tony for leading the pre-game clap when I forgot!
Sometimes little things like this matter more than we think.
Today, a story of another team's 'little' thing....and how remembering it paid off in a BIG way....
***
'The Legend of Bus No. 2'
***
Two minutes left in the most important game in school history, and Northwestern State was down by three points.
Instead of imparting strategy, or cunning calculation, head coach Mike McConathy took a different tack during the final timeout of their NCAA tournament game vs Iowa.
'Bus No. 2!', he screamed with mock intensity, 'Bus No. 2!!'
On cue, the Demons all responded in unison. 'Aieeeeee!'
***
A classic moment....in their biggest game ever, all wound up, Coach McConathy reminded them of who they were, and where they came from.
Bus No. 2 was their identity.
The legend of Bus No. 2 goes back to the Demon's trip to the Rainbow Classic in Hawaii back in late December. Northwestern State went 1-2 in this three
day tournament, but enjoyed a lifetime's worth of island memories.
During a comedy-variety show arranged for the eight participating squads, the emcee held an impromptu contest to see which of the teams, numbered by the buses they came in on, would yell the loudest for no apparent reason.
'All the other team were all posturing, not wanting to look like idiots,' said asst. Coach Mark Slessinger.
'The guy would call out, 'Bus No. 4,' 'Bus No. 5', nothing.
'But when he called out 'Bus No. 2!,' our guys got totally crazy and yelled out, 'aieeee!'. That's what this team is all about....they care about having fun and winning games a lot more than they do about acting cool.'
***
Fast forward to March Madness, to the team coming out of that huddle with Coach McConathy.
A couple of game-clock minutes later, Jermaine Wallace hits a last-second three-pointer which caps a stunning comeback vs the Hawkeyes, and the biggest upset in the
NCAA tournament at that point.
'I just went in for the rebound. I chased it down,' said Wallace. 'I looked at the clock at the other end and it said four seconds and I knew I had time for one or two dribbles. I got the shot off.'
And as Wallace fell across to the sideline, the shot went in, touching off a wild purple and orange celebration on the floor. Fun-loving Northwestern State had pulled off the biggest win in school and conference history.
Bus No. 2's next destination was the second round.
***
'You can look at the bus metaphor a lot of different ways,' said Slessinger. 'We're in a bus league, or we're a big efficient engine.'
'I prefer looking at it as if we're all taking this ride together.'
***
I kind of like to think when we do our pre-game rhythm claps, we're all in it together too!
***
Just a reminder, we play this upcoming Sunday at 4pm on Court B, vs the 'Incredibles.'
Last week, they took the Osseo Boyz right down to the wire. Let's prepared to be sharp.
And as always, let's try to arrive about a half hour early, and bring both a dark blue and white shirt!
See you then!
Brady Flower
bradyflower@msn.com
612-396-8572
Sometimes little things like this matter more than we think.
Today, a story of another team's 'little' thing....and how remembering it paid off in a BIG way....
***
'The Legend of Bus No. 2'
***
Two minutes left in the most important game in school history, and Northwestern State was down by three points.
Instead of imparting strategy, or cunning calculation, head coach Mike McConathy took a different tack during the final timeout of their NCAA tournament game vs Iowa.
'Bus No. 2!', he screamed with mock intensity, 'Bus No. 2!!'
On cue, the Demons all responded in unison. 'Aieeeeee!'
***
A classic moment....in their biggest game ever, all wound up, Coach McConathy reminded them of who they were, and where they came from.
Bus No. 2 was their identity.
The legend of Bus No. 2 goes back to the Demon's trip to the Rainbow Classic in Hawaii back in late December. Northwestern State went 1-2 in this three
day tournament, but enjoyed a lifetime's worth of island memories.
During a comedy-variety show arranged for the eight participating squads, the emcee held an impromptu contest to see which of the teams, numbered by the buses they came in on, would yell the loudest for no apparent reason.
'All the other team were all posturing, not wanting to look like idiots,' said asst. Coach Mark Slessinger.
'The guy would call out, 'Bus No. 4,' 'Bus No. 5', nothing.
'But when he called out 'Bus No. 2!,' our guys got totally crazy and yelled out, 'aieeee!'. That's what this team is all about....they care about having fun and winning games a lot more than they do about acting cool.'
***
Fast forward to March Madness, to the team coming out of that huddle with Coach McConathy.
A couple of game-clock minutes later, Jermaine Wallace hits a last-second three-pointer which caps a stunning comeback vs the Hawkeyes, and the biggest upset in the
NCAA tournament at that point.
'I just went in for the rebound. I chased it down,' said Wallace. 'I looked at the clock at the other end and it said four seconds and I knew I had time for one or two dribbles. I got the shot off.'
And as Wallace fell across to the sideline, the shot went in, touching off a wild purple and orange celebration on the floor. Fun-loving Northwestern State had pulled off the biggest win in school and conference history.
Bus No. 2's next destination was the second round.
***
'You can look at the bus metaphor a lot of different ways,' said Slessinger. 'We're in a bus league, or we're a big efficient engine.'
'I prefer looking at it as if we're all taking this ride together.'
***
I kind of like to think when we do our pre-game rhythm claps, we're all in it together too!
***
Just a reminder, we play this upcoming Sunday at 4pm on Court B, vs the 'Incredibles.'
Last week, they took the Osseo Boyz right down to the wire. Let's prepared to be sharp.
And as always, let's try to arrive about a half hour early, and bring both a dark blue and white shirt!
See you then!
Brady Flower
bradyflower@msn.com
612-396-8572
# posted by Brady Flower @ 10:40 AM 
