Received the following e-mail early this morning. It requires no setup except to say the NSU Demon basketball team played at Stephen F. Austin Wednesday night.
"I would like you to congratulate Coach Mike McConathy on the character of his team.
They were all standing and giving respect to the National Anthem. They all had their hand over their heart and looking at the flag.
There are some teams where the coaches may not observe any respect themselves and the players may be talking and joking around.
This respect is a result of your coaches true goal to teach young men about life and being a good God loving American and preparing them for the future.
My Father-In-Law (Ted Jefferies) was a football coach here at SFA during the late 40's and 50's and would have known coach Turpin. He always had his players dress up when they travelled. He said if you look nice you are more apt to act nice.
I see Walter Ledet and his wife here at church with his son and family.
Please pass this on to Coach McConathy and his players so they know that people notice how young people behave and these guys are a blessing.
God Bless You
Roland Muckleroy
SFA Grad 1956
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Refreshing Honesty
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
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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