I was a bit nervous as Lady Demons Head Coach Jennifer Graf settled into the chair next to me for her post-game radio interview Wednesday night. After all, the Lady Demons had just lost by 18 points to conference rival Stephen F. Austin--after trailing by as many as 35 points.
When you interview a coach on the short end of a score--especially one as lopsided as this one--you never know what you are going to get. Except with Coach Graf. You always get honesty. And that's refreshing.
She didn't try to sugarcoat anything. She told it like it was. Coach Graf said her team got a good 'ol fashioned whippin'. She questioned her team's heart. She questioned her team's effort. She questioned her team's desire.
Those are things you wouldn't hear from most coaches. But Coach Graf is as honest as the day is long. She also has too much respect for the fans to think she could pull the wool over their eyes. The Lady Demons' performance was not up to the high standards set by previous NSU teams. Coach Graf knew it, and it's a pretty good bet the players knew it also. If they didn't, I'm sure they got the message in the locker room after the game.
In victory, Coach Graf is humble, giving all the credit to her players and assistant coaches. In defeat, Coach Graf tells it like it is.
In sports, and in life, it would be nice if we were all more like Coach Graf.
Tune in for the all the action Saturday afternoon, as the Lady Demons regroup against Eastern Division leader Central Arkansas. Tip-off from what is sure to be a snowy Conway, Arkansas, is 2pm. Matt Bonnette and I (road conditions permitting) will be on the air with the Lady Demons pre-game show at 1:45 on 100.7 FM (KZBL) and the Demon Sports Network.
Tony Taglavore
Voice of the Lady Demons
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